Throughout the semester,
I have been successful in integrating technology into the curriculum of
the Uof M-Dearborn's Child Development Center. The following is an explanation
of how I have achieved this accomplishment.
Standard I
Standard II
Standard III
Standard IV
Standard V
Standard VI
Standard I: Technology
Operations and Concepts
Teachers demonstrate a sound understanding
of technology operations and concepts.
Teachers:
-
Demonstrate introductory knowledgy, skills, and
understanding of concepts related to technology.
-
Demonstrate continual growth in technology knowledge
and skills to stay abreast of current and emerging technologies.
I was able to fulfill this standard
due to my background in technology. Like all education students,
I have successfully completed EDT 210, the introductory education technology
class. This class gave me the skills and knowledge to incorporate
technology into the curriculum. I have taught 2.5-5 year olds how
to use many educational software programs, such as KidPix, in addition
to the use of the mouse, keyboard, and printer.
Participating in the MiTTEN
project has helped me keep technology operations fresh in my mind.
Prior to beginning my internship and MiTTEN, I atteded "refresher" workshops
in order be able to effectively teach with technology in a seamless manner.
Also, I have taught myself how to use various softaware that enhances my
ability to teach with technology. After completing my internship
and the MiTTEN project, I felt very confident iwth using techoloy in the
classroom and as a tool for my professional development.
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.
The various lessons on
display on the Exhibits page give great examples
of how I have designed lessons that are enhanced through the use of technology.
I found that the KidPix software program provided a gateway for the children
to display their knowledge of dinosuars, shapes, numbers, patterns, etc.
With KidPix, the children were able to go beyond their young fine motor
skills limitations with the use of the program's stamp icons and other
features. I was able to see the different developmental abilities
of the children and create lessons accordingly.
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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 technololgy-enhanced
environment.
All lessons that I developed addressed state/national
standards. Bringing technology into the classroom through these lessons
gave me another tool in which to address such standards and benchmarks.
In fact, the use of technology in the classroom was a good way to attract
the attention of the students. The lesson on patterns
is a good example of how I was able to address higher order thinking skills
as well as assess the knowledge of my students. This lesson also
shwoed how one lesson can address the needs of diverse students, i.e. diverse
ages and developmental abilities.
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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.
Assessment of the children's abilities
went along with every lesson. Technology was a great way to implement
assessment. For example, the children could print multiple pages
of their finished work. This allowed me to have a piece of their
work as well as meet their desire to take home thier work and share it
with their family, which strengthens pride in themselves/self-esteem.
Also, technology allowed me to make copies of the students' work without
the possibility of altering the child's work, which would happen with some
pieces, such as chalk drawings/representations and paintings. Furthermore,
scanning pictures/drawings allowed for better accessibility for assessment
and evaluation. Another tool for assessment/evaluation was creating
a developmental checklist using
Microsoft Works. This checklist is used for individual children
and referred to for observations throughout the school year.
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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.
Productivity and professional
practice using technology was a large part of my internship. I utilized
the program, Kidspirations, and made concept
maps to be posted on the parent bulletin board as a means to communicate
to parents a concrete representation of their child's learning in the child
development center. The developmental checklist was also developed
for professional use. In an effort to communicate with parents, I
created a newsletter with Microsoft Works using a newsletter template.
Also, for lesson ideals and research, I visited the Internet. In
addition, I reflected upon my teaching practices through the use of a video
camera recording of lessons taught. While revisiting the taped lesson,
I was able to see areas for improvement and progresses that I have made
in teaching. I found the video camera to be a great tool for professional
reflection. Without it, I would not have been able to see, with detail,
my strengths and weaknesses as a pre-service teacher.
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Standard VI: Social,
Ethical, Legal, and Human Issues
Teachers understand the social, ethical, legal,
and human issues surrounding the use of technology in PreK-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.
Throughout my internship, I have
used software that was developmentally appropriate for all ages and abilities
in the classroom. The software I used was free of race and gender
biases and made available equally for all students in the classroom.
Furthermore, in professional use, I was sure to site sources for ideas
for lessons that I have found on the internet, as well as references for
software used.
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