3.6 Selecting and Evaluating Digital Tools & Resources
Candidates collaborate with teachers and administrators to select and evaluate digital tools and resources for accuracy, suitability, and compatibility with the school technology infrastructure. (PSC 3.6/ISTE 3f)
Artifact: emerging technologies project
Reflection:
In the course ITEC7445, Multimedia and Web Design in Education, I created the Evaluating Emerging Technologies Project to demonstrate mastery of Standard 3.6. The purpose of this assignment was to research an emerging technology in education and prepare a formal presentation to deliver to my fellow teachers, principal, school district personnel or board of education to convince them to fund and adopt the emerging technology. This presentation was completing using the Web 2.0 tool, Prezi. I selected the digital tool, the iPad, to promote engaged learning within my school.
The Evaluating Emerging Technologies Project demonstrates mastery of Standard 3.6 because I selected and evaluated digital tools and resources that I deemed appropriate for the students at my School. I began the project with the plan to research a product that my school would consider purchasing with Title I funds. I collaborated with fellow teachers and administrators to determine technological needs at my school. I proceeded to select and evaluate the iPad as a digital tool to enhance student learning. This tool would prove to be a beneficial learning resource for student to promote student centered learning. Due to the fact that multiple basic technology tools were already available to the staff and students at my school, I selected a tool that teachers would find user-friendly, innovative, and relevant to student learning. This was extensively covered in the Prezi. I reviewed the tool for accuracy, suitability, and compatibility with the school technology infrastructure. I used the artifact to collaborate with the staff and administration at my school to support technology enhanced teaching and learning.
Through completing this project, I enhanced my view on the importance of communication and being an “expert” in an area of presentation. Since I had spent a lot of time and energy completing the project, I felt I could answer questions and provide examples with ease when presenting the tool. If I were completing the project again, however, I would have researched the drawbacks of using this type of technology in the classroom at greater length. The following school year, my school purchased two sets of iPad carts. We quickly realized that the drawbacks with managing iPads across multiple grade levels. We experienced difficulty with iTunes account management and content organization/storage. Managing Apps proved to be a challenge and the nature of iPads only allows one user. They are not personalized and each student does not have a log in, which creates challenges with saving student work. I feel if I would have selected and researched a different educational tool, these issues would have been minimized.
The work that went into creating the Emerging Technology Project impacted faculty development and student learning. The purpose of the implementation of the tool was to encourage teachers to implement meaningful technology enhanced lessons in their classrooms. Ultimately, this leads to providing students with engaging learning activities in an enhanced learning environment. The impact of this artifact could be assessed through conversing with teachers and students at my school as well as analyzing performance on benchmark assessments or formal state-wide assessments after implementing the technology.
In the course ITEC7445, Multimedia and Web Design in Education, I created the Evaluating Emerging Technologies Project to demonstrate mastery of Standard 3.6. The purpose of this assignment was to research an emerging technology in education and prepare a formal presentation to deliver to my fellow teachers, principal, school district personnel or board of education to convince them to fund and adopt the emerging technology. This presentation was completing using the Web 2.0 tool, Prezi. I selected the digital tool, the iPad, to promote engaged learning within my school.
The Evaluating Emerging Technologies Project demonstrates mastery of Standard 3.6 because I selected and evaluated digital tools and resources that I deemed appropriate for the students at my School. I began the project with the plan to research a product that my school would consider purchasing with Title I funds. I collaborated with fellow teachers and administrators to determine technological needs at my school. I proceeded to select and evaluate the iPad as a digital tool to enhance student learning. This tool would prove to be a beneficial learning resource for student to promote student centered learning. Due to the fact that multiple basic technology tools were already available to the staff and students at my school, I selected a tool that teachers would find user-friendly, innovative, and relevant to student learning. This was extensively covered in the Prezi. I reviewed the tool for accuracy, suitability, and compatibility with the school technology infrastructure. I used the artifact to collaborate with the staff and administration at my school to support technology enhanced teaching and learning.
Through completing this project, I enhanced my view on the importance of communication and being an “expert” in an area of presentation. Since I had spent a lot of time and energy completing the project, I felt I could answer questions and provide examples with ease when presenting the tool. If I were completing the project again, however, I would have researched the drawbacks of using this type of technology in the classroom at greater length. The following school year, my school purchased two sets of iPad carts. We quickly realized that the drawbacks with managing iPads across multiple grade levels. We experienced difficulty with iTunes account management and content organization/storage. Managing Apps proved to be a challenge and the nature of iPads only allows one user. They are not personalized and each student does not have a log in, which creates challenges with saving student work. I feel if I would have selected and researched a different educational tool, these issues would have been minimized.
The work that went into creating the Emerging Technology Project impacted faculty development and student learning. The purpose of the implementation of the tool was to encourage teachers to implement meaningful technology enhanced lessons in their classrooms. Ultimately, this leads to providing students with engaging learning activities in an enhanced learning environment. The impact of this artifact could be assessed through conversing with teachers and students at my school as well as analyzing performance on benchmark assessments or formal state-wide assessments after implementing the technology.