Blog 11

What does it mean to be a teacher-leader in the digital age?
A teacher leader is someone who is leading the change in use of technology. They need to be willing to watch for new technology, learn how to use it and implement it in the classroom, try it in their own classroom, share their experience with other teachers, and train other teachers to use the same technology. A teacher leader also needs to show excitement with new technologies. If they express frustration, other teachers will not be interested in trying something new.

How will you use what you have learned in this class in your future course, unit, and lesson planning?
I find myself using many of the strategies now. When revisiting my lessons from previous years, I am thinking of new ways to present the information and assess my students using new technologies, strategies, and variety.

I have been slowly going back through my on-line content in order to add links to standards and objectives. I realize that is important for students to see that there is a purpose for every activity. It is not something we are doing just to take up time; we are doing it in order to learn something important.

Blog 10

How will you acquire technology for your classroom?
I am one of those lucky ones that requires technology for my classroom. It is all paid for through CTE funding. As long as I can provide evidence for a need in my classroom, I am pretty fortunate to get what I need.

I am, however, very interested in acquiring a Smartboard for my classroom. I have made a deal with my CTE director that I will write a grant for a minimum of half the funding, and she will match/pay the remainder.  I am looking into writing for several small grants from Qwest, Horace Mann, Trustlands funding, etc.

How does the use of technology impact your classroom management strategies?
Technology provides some great tools for classroom management and provides great tools for inhibiting classroom management. It is up to the teacher to make sure there is proper balance.

I teach in a computer lab, so I am in a constant battle with my students to stay on task. I make great use of a program called LAN School to control student computer access. I am able to blank their screens when I need their attention focused on the front of the room. I can share my screen with them during a lecture so that they have the information right in front of them rather than way at the front of the room. I can share my screen in a windowed view when I want my students to follow along with an activity that I am demonstrating. I can share files with students, force their computers to go to a certain website, etc.

I also spend a lot of time roaming the classroom so that I can stay aware of what is being done on my classroom computers. I teach a lot from the back of the room so that I can view the progress of my students in order to maintain a good pace.

Why use technology if you always need a backup plan?
Is this a rhetorical question of some sort? ;) Technology is so unreliable. The server is always going down, the Internet cannot be accessed, the power goes out, etc. You always need to have another activity on hand for these times.

Blog 9

How does the combined backward design and technology-rich focus impact your unit design?
The idea behind backward design is the use of a planning sequence for curriculum development. The sequence includes three stages: Identify Desired Results, Determine Acceptable Evidence, and Plan Learning Experiences and Instruction. (Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe, Understanding by Design)

When I am designing my units/lessons, I definitely think it is helpful to identify what type of technological evidence I want my students to use throughout the unit. Knowing the technology helps me to identify different learning experiences and instructional strategies. I have it a little easier than most teachers in this respect because I am required to teach the use of specific technologies in my curriculum; however, it is also fun to incorporate new ones as well. We only get the opportunity to revisit our state standards and objectives every 3 years. A lot can change during that time. I like to know what new technologies are coming into play in order to be a more effective voice during these standards and objectives rewrites. Another important reason for identifying my technologies ahead of time is the opportunity to ask other teachers for advice in implementation. Some of "my" best ideas are "stolen" from other teachers.

Blog 8

What technologies are available to facilitate general pedagogy?
There are many resources available to facilitate general pedagogy. In fact, there are so many that it because extremely overwhelming when exploring the different options. Basic technologies available to nearly all of us would include technology within the classroom: computers, projectors, document cameras, and the software to use with these. Some other items that I find useful in my own classroom include Learning Management Software/Systems (LMS) such as Canvas, screen capture software such as Camtasia, presentation software such as PowerPoint, etc. Online, teachers can make us of blogging websites, informational websites, informational articles, online-presentation software, etc.

What content-specific technologies are available to promote better understanding and engagement?
There also seems to be an abundance of content specific technologies to better promote understanding and engagement. Specific to my courses, I can use resources such as Codecademy and Code.org to teach and assess programming skills. We have been introduced to some great websites for teaching Digital Citizenship: Netsmartz.org, CommonSenseMedia.org, and Google's curriculum. My students are also consistently engaged using computers and programs during class. In Computer Programming, we use Visual C# on a daily basis to learn, practice, and assess learning of programming concepts and compiler software. In Computer Technology, students learn to use programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. My own children are using resources such as ALEKS.com to reinforce Math concepts at home, TypingTutor.com to practice keyboarding skills, and Planet Turtle for Math games that reinforce elementary math concepts. My kids love using these programs!

Blog 7

How can technology be used for presentation of content and assessment of learning?

Wow! Aren't there too many options to list? Here are a few that I use already: 

I use digital presentations to summarize content from each chapter. Students have guided notes that are completed during instruction.

In Accounting, their workbook is completed digitally through software purchased through the textbook company. 

A class blog of assignments and links to all handouts can be found in the LMS Canvas.

I am very interested in incorporating the idea of students teaching a few of the topics. While reading Disrupting Class chapter 5, a situation was told about a student who struggled with Accounting until he was asked to actually teach an Accounting course. I would like to find some pieces of curriculum that have content that can be easily researched by students. I will let them use the technology of their choice to present the information to the other students.

Blog 6

What state and national standards should be considered in your scope and sequence?

When I create my scope and sequence, I will be considering the Utah State Standards and Objectives for Accounting I. Next, I will refer to the International Society for Technology in Education Standards for Students. Finally, I will consider the Education Technology Core that has been set by the state of Utah.

How will you model digital ethics and responsibility, and how will those skills be incorporated into your scope and sequence? 

Ethics and responsibility are already included in the Utah State Standards and Objectives for all business subjects. I will, however, be sure to incorporate digital ethics along with the business ethics. I was very impressed with some of the sites that were explored during class. I would like to use one of those sites to help with the instruction of digital ethics. I am not sure which one I will use--this decision will require more exploration.

Blog 5

How can technology be woven throughout the scope and sequence of a course?
Wow! How do I answer a question like that? There are sooooo many ways. If you want to start out with something simple, how about you have students answer essential questions through the use of a blog. ;) Gee I wonder how I came up with that idea!? Don't get me wrong, I actually love it and think it is a great way to use simple technology in the classroom. We also have the standard answers of creating PowerPoints for instruction, creating videos for instruction, using an LMS, etc. It is definitely not difficult to use technology throughout the scope and sequence of a course, but how effective is that technology? Maybe that is the real question....Wait, that is the next question!

How can both general pedagogical and content-specific technologies be utilized effectively throughout a course?
I think this question cuts right to the chase. In the first answer, I covered some general pedagogical technologies that can be used throughout a course. What about content-specific technologies. This is where things get a little trickier for a lot of teachers. Now, I actually teach Technology, so I don't struggle too much with this. I use Microsoft Office in Computer Technology 1 & 2. I use Visual C# in Computer Programming. I use Quickbooks in Accounting. These are very content specific, but is there more we could use? I have been experimenting with this a little. I have added the use of websites and videos for students to learn computer vocabulary in Computer Technology 1. I have added the use of Codecademy in Computer Technology 1, 2, and Computer Programming. I use an LMS for all instruction. I have created videos of my lectures for those who miss class, for when I have a sub, or to provide an accommodation for those who need extra time. Would I like some more ideas? You bet! That is why I am studying Educational Technology.

Blog 4

What is the difference between technology in education and educational technology?
When I was researching this question, I found that most sites group them together as meaning the same thing. When I look at them, I have very different ideas of what each of them is. Here is my interpretation:

• Technology in Education - the use of technology to enhance instruction. Examples would include using a creating a website to list class information, a blog to list assignments, using PowerPoint to guide a lecture, using email to contact both parents and students, etc.

• Educational Technology - the use of technology to enhance learning. Examples would include students creating a PowerPoint to show that they understand a concept, students creating their own website, students creating their own blog to express ideas, students emailing members of a group to collaborate on a project, etc.

One is obviously teacher-centered, the other student-centered. 

What is TPACK and how does it help us better understand the role and impact of technology? "Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) is a framework that identifies the knowledge teachers need to teach effectively with technology...Effective technology integration for pedagogy around specific subject matter requires developing sensitivity to the dynamic, transactional relationship between these components of knowledge situated in unique contexts. Individual teachers, grade-level, school-specific factors, demographics, culture, and other factors ensure that every situation is unique, and no single combination of content, technology, and pedagogy will apply for every teacher, every course, or every view of teaching." Knowledge about technology cannot be treated as context-free...good teaching requires an understanding of how technology related to the pedagogy and content. (www.tpack.org)

Blog 3

How has technology been used in education?

Technology has been used in education to enhance the educational framework that we have always used. Computers are used to perform research; in the past, we used encyclopedias and microfiche. Computers are used to type up those research papers; in the past, we used type writers. Teachers are finding games to enhance students' learning; in the past, we played physical games. In my classroom, I use technology a lot. I use a LMS to deliver all assignments and course information to my students, I also record lectures and instructions for students to watch. While students watch the videos, I make individual contact with them.

How should technology be used in the future?

Technology should be used a bit differently than most of us use it! We should use it to provide a learning experience that cannot be gained without it. It needs to be exciting, meaningful, and new. We need to let students choose what they want to learn and how they want to use it. We need to offer them courses online that are not currently available in their schools. We need to provide enough variety that there is something for everyone.

Blog 2

What does it mean to be a teacher-leader?
A teacher leader is someone who has taken on leadership roles and additional professional responsibilities. They are well versed in adult-learning theory and use that knowledge to create a community of collective responsibility within his or her school. The teacher leader ensures improvement in educator instruction and student learning (teacherleaderstandards.org).

According to ascd.org, a teacher leader has 10 roles.

1. Resource Provider - share instructional resources.
2. Instructional Specialist - helps colleagues implement effective teaching strategies.
3. Curriculum Specialist - guide teachers in proper use of curriculum.
4. Classroom Supporter - help teachers implement new ideas by demonstrating, co-teaching, or observing.
5. Learning Facilitator - facilitate professional learning opportunities.
6. Mentor - serve as mentor for novice teachers.
7. School Leader - serve on committees, such as a school improvement team.
8. Data Coach - lead conversations that engage peers in analyzing and using data to strengthen instruction.
9. Catalyst for Change - "never content with the status quo but rather always looking for a better way" (Larner, 2004, p. 32).
10. Learner - model continual improvement, and lifelong learning.

Why is teacher-leadership so important with regard to educational technology?

A teacher leader should be someone who embraces change. Educational technology is all about change. If technology changes as often as Moore's Law dictates, teacher leaders are vital to education. We need to have individuals who are willing to seek after change and who are passionate enough to share changes with their peers. Without teacher leaders, education would surely fail because we would no longer be relevant to the needs of our customers/students.

Blog 1

What are the benefits of technology use in education?
There are many benefits to using technology in education. Some of these benefits include individualized instruction, motivation, increased access to resources, availability of resources outside of the classroom, security, and a wide variety of technology choices. Students are definitely more engaged through the use of technology. Students have the ability to show more creativity and individuality through the use of technology. Students who have poor handwriting or struggle with spelling can hide these disabilities through the use of technology. The list could go on and on.

Why isn’t technology used more often and more effectively?
I feel that there are many reasons that technology is not used in the classroom. Maybe one of the biggest reason is fear of the unknown. Educators are unsure of how to properly use technology in their classroom. To address this fear, we need to provide professional development opportunities for teachers. This professional development needs to include more than just a lecture; it needs to provide actual use of technology in order for those teachers to become comfortable with using it in their classrooms. Another reason for the lack of technology use may be that there is too much technology from which to choose. There are so many great ideas; how do you choose just one?