Standard 1: Technology Operating and Concepts
     Teachers demonstrate a sound understanding of technology operations and concepts.

      A: Teachers will demonstrate introductory knowledge, skills, and understanding of            concepts related to technology.
   I accomplished this by demonstrating to the children how the Kid Pics software works.  Many of the children had never used Kid Pics before and were completely unfamiliar with the software.  I showed them how to write with the pencil, how to use the paint, how to erase, and how to use the stamps.  I showed them how to move around the program, so that they could feel more comfortable using the software.  Many of the students were also unfamiliar with using the computer mouse.  I taught them how to move the mouse and how to click on different icons or pictures.

      B. Teachers will demonstrate continual growth in technology knowledge and skills to stay abreast of current and emerging technologies.
     I accomplished this by using the Internet to research information and pictures of the Great Sequoia Tree.  The children were very interested in how wide their trees were.  I knew about the Great Sequoias in California and I thought that the children would enjoy hearing about how wide trees are able to get.  Because of the Internet, I was able to bring the Great Sequoias into our classroom in Michigan.  This gave the children an experience in school that they may never have.
      I also used a digital camera to record students' work.  When we adopted out trees, I took pictures of each child with their tree.  I knew this would help the children remember which tree was theirs.  This also gave me the opportunity to revisit their trees while in the classroom by looking at the pictures to remember what the trees looked like.

Standard 2: Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences
      Teachers plan and design effective learning environments and experiences supported by technology.

      A. Teachers will design developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply technology enhanced instructional strategies to support the diverse needs of learners.
     I accomplished this by using the Kindergarten Language Arts,  Math and Science Curriculum guidelines and included technology in all five lessons.
        Introduction to Kid Pics - Math: Counting Skills; Language Arts: Writing Skills
        Exploring Trees - Science: Living vs. Non Living
        Adopting a Tree - Math: Graphing Skills; Science: Parts of a Tree
        Kid Pics Tree Drawings - Language Arts: Writing Skills; Science: Parts of a Tree
        The Great Sequoia Trees - Math: Graphing Skills

         E. Teachers will plan strategies to manage student learning in a technology enhanced environment.
     I accomplished this by using the Kid Pics software in both a one-to-one learning environment as well as a group learning environment to demonstrate their understanding of trees.  Each child created a picture of their tree.  Some of the children depended on the help of the teacher, some created their pictures individually, while some children taught each other how to use the software.  Each child's picture demonstrated their understanding of trees.  In an early childhood classroom, I found that the technology used in the classroom allowed for the students to better display their understanding of concepts.  Often Kindergarten students' fine motor skills are not completely developed.  I found that when the students created their pictures of trees on Kid Pic's, the pictures were much more detailed and advanced than their hand drawn pictures with paper and pencil.  Allowing the children to draw pictures on the computer gave them a chance to portray all of their understanding without getting frustrated or held back by their still developing fine motor skills.  This provided me with a better assessment of their understanding.

Standard 5: Productivity and Professional Practice
Teachers use technology to enhance their productivity and professional practice.

     A. Teachers will use technology resources to engage in ongoing professional development and lifelong learning.
    I accomplished this by participating in the EDT 410 seminars and workshops.  Collaborating with other teachers and student teachers provide many resources and ideas for ways to incorporate technology in the classroom.  The seminars also offered more insight into software available and different approaches to including technology in the classroom.
     I also accomplished this by developing the E-Portfolio and the Electronic Journals to describe lesson plans and student learning outcomes.  Creating this website to show how I integrated technology in the classroom gave me the confidence I needed to know how to create my own websites.  Now that I have this knowledge, I realize how I can use this technology to better enhance my future classroom.