Standard I:  Technology Operations and Concepts

Teachers demonstrate a sound understanding of technology operations and concepts.  Teachers:

• Demonstrate introductory knowledge, skills and understanding of concepts related to technology.
• Demonstrate continual growth in technology knowledge and skills to stay abreast of current and emerging technologies.

Standard II:  Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences 

  Teachers plan and design effective learning environments and experiences supported by technology.  Teachers:

• Design developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply technology enhanced instructional strategies to support the diverse needs of learners.
• Apply current research on teaching and learning with technology when planning learning environments and experiences.
• Identify and locate technology resources and evaluate them for accuracy and suitability.
• Plan strategies to manage student learning in a technology enhanced environment.

Many of our ideas and lessons stemmed from the Reggio Emilia approach to learning of developing the image of the child.  The children had many opportunities to interact with the technology.  The children used Kid Pix for many lesson such as to create self portraits.  Every child had the opportunity to take a picture using the digital camera and write about what they chose to take a picture of.  The children enjoyed recording their voices onto the computer for our class e-book on introductions.  They would always want to hear themselves which lead to a new lesson where they got another chance to record their voices.

Standard III:  Teaching Learning and the Curriculum

     Teachers implement curriculum plans that include methods and strategies for applying technology to maximize student learning.  Teachers:

• Facilitate technology-enhanced experiences that address content standards and student technology standards.
• Use technology to support learner-centered strategies that address the diverse needs of students.
• Apply technology to develop students' higher order skills and creativity.
• Manage student learning activities in a technology-enhanced environment.

We used PowerPoint to create many e-books where the students got to see and hear themselves and their classmates.  We also created representations of ourselves (one for each child in the classroom) which were their digital pictures glued onto a toilet paper roll and were used in place of the dolls or people.  The figurines don't look like anyone so we felt the students would benefit more from interacting with each other as the figures and not fake people.

Standard IV:  Assessment and Evaluation

     Teachers apply technology to facilitate a variety of effective assessment and evaluation strategies.  Teachers:

• Apply technology in assessing student learning of subject matter using a variety of assessment techniques.
• Use technology resources to collect and analyze data, interpret results, and communicate findings to improve instructional practice and maximize student learning.
• Apply multiple methods of evaluation to determine students' appropriate use of technology resources for learning, communication, and productivity.

Because the children vary in ages and levels of development, we provided many ways different types of lessons.  For instance, when the children created self portraits by hand and on the computer, some children had better motor skills using a marker or pencil while others had more motor control using the mouse on the computer.  This allowed the teachers to see where each child was stronger and for a later activity, we allowed the children to choose their medium for the lesson, computer or by hand.

Standard V:  Productivity and Professional Practice

     Teachers use technology to enhance their productivity and professional practice.  Teachers:

• Use technology resources to engage in ongoing professional development and lifelong learning.
• Continually evaluate and reflect on professional practice to make informed decisions regarding the use of technology in support of student learning.
• Apply technology to increase productivity.
• Use technology to communicate and collaborate with peers, parents, and the larger community in order to nurture student learning.

At our Luncheon with the parents, we showed our class e-books to them to share with them what we have been creating in the classroom.  Throughout the room, we have hung the children's self portraits with their words telling about themselves so parents can see what their child has done as well as what their child thinks about him/herself.   We also sent a letter home to the parents sharing our hopes and ideas about the MITTEN project.  This allowed parents to understand what MITTEN is, why we are doing it, and what it is for.  It informed the parents so they could better help their child's learning.

Standard VI:  Social, Ethical, Legal, and Human Issues

     Teachers understand the social, ethical, legal, and human issues surrounding the use of technology in PK - 12 schools and apply that understanding in practice.  Teachers:

• Model and teach legal and ethical practice related to technology use.
• Apply technology resources to enable and empower learners with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, and abilities.
• Identify and use technology resources that affirm diversity.
• Promote safe and healthy use of technology resources.
• Facilitate equitable access to technology resources for all students.

Our project was always exhibiting use of legal and ethical practices with all the technology used in the classroom.  Every activity was age appropriate and well defined.  Every activity was open-ended enough for every child to participate and succeed in the lesson.  Much of our basis has been on discussing and understanding how we are alike and how we are different as well as why that is good.  Every child was given equal opportunities to engage in the technology resources.  In our mapping lesson, every child was given the chance and encouraged to find their city on the map.

National Educational Technology Standards for Students

National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers

Michigan Technology Standards