PART V: Connection to Key Issues in Educational Technology
Developing information literacy, technology skills (in students):
This DreamIt Project includes methods and strategies for teaching information literacy skills to students by introducing tech tools and giving students the opportunity to experiment with them. Students will also become familiar with locating articles via databases as well as how to cite sources correctly using easybib.com and the PurdueOwl Resource. Students will be introduced to technology and then through the duration of the course will be given opportunities and invitations to demonstrate their process of understanding as well as their journey of understanding. Information literacy will begin with giving students specific tasks and as they get more comfortable with technology, they will be given a broad guideline and asked to produce something to demonstrate their literacy skills in information technology.
Meeting the diverse needs of your students, assistive technologies, particularly through the idea of Universal Designs for Learning (UDL):
UDL must be taken into account in order to meet the diverse needs to students in the classroom. The best way to assess the needs of such diverse learners is through questionnaires, surveys and discussions. The most effective way, however, is to conference with individual students as well as groups of students to see assess his or her level of understanding. It is through conferencing with students that I am able to create effective groups as well assign roles where individuals and groups will succeed. Educators much then facilitate one-on-one instruction of differentiate groups in order to guide students who are struggling with misconceptions or who are failing to understand. Technology could be used for as assistive technologies. Numerous resources on the web can act as substitutes for teacher instruction.
Social and ethical uses of technology (particularly digital equity, intellectual property, and copyright) and healthy practices in the use of educational technology:
Honest, ethical work abiding by the academic honesty policy is expected to be followed at all times. Students must also abide by the technology policy and be respectful and responsible stewards of technology, its resources, and its capabilities. This is not limited to just school computers, but also cell phones and the information shared between and among students. We have a Classroom Technology Contract that outlines student technology use responsibilities along with description of consequences for any violations.
The Classroom Norms states that all members of the classroom community must be responsible and respectful. Students are given the opportunity to address and even question the code of ethics held by the classroom, the building, the district, and even the national laws. We discuss controversial/questionable issues like this during our argument unit where two teams of students are given opposing viewpoints and asked to research, cite, and discuss their argumentative points respectfully to the class. Each group receives two topics and opportunities each trimester.
The Classroom Norms states that all members of the classroom community must be responsible and respectful. Students are given the opportunity to address and even question the code of ethics held by the classroom, the building, the district, and even the national laws. We discuss controversial/questionable issues like this during our argument unit where two teams of students are given opposing viewpoints and asked to research, cite, and discuss their argumentative points respectfully to the class. Each group receives two topics and opportunities each trimester.
Using technology to facilitate/develop creativity and critical thinking skills in students:
This DreamIt Project integrates various ways for students to think creatively and critically using technology. Students are asked to demonstrate and prove their understanding in unconventional ways using technology that they have been experienced. While a framework/guideline exists for tasks and activities, students are encouraged to think outside the box. This produces creative demonstrations of understanding that end up being one of a kind. And if something is unique, it isn't something replicated or plagiarized, which then proves what students understand and/or what misconceptions they have that need to be reinforced.
Using technology to engage in professional development and leadership:
The DreamIt Project provides educators with information about how to effectively and efficiently implement technology into the teaching and learning. The resources provided outline the TPACK Model, the SAMR Model, the Pedagogy Wheel and numerous other research and resources surrounding education technology. There are plenty of resources and articles available. In addition to these are the videos I created as I conferences with my students. This raw data demonstrates the specific needs of students in our district. They openly share what they need from the teachers who earnestly seek to teach them. This first hand data is a highly valuable resource. This website will be presented to the Director of District Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment as well as the building principals to demonstrate how technology could be implemented within the context of our district and our building within the limitations of our students.
The DreamIt Project is an assignment for Michigan State University's Master of Arts in Education Technology course CEP 800. The purpose of this assignment is to see how students will "intelligently integrate new technologies to help student understanding within [their] subject area in a transformational way." The ideas of this program and project are centered around TPACK.
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