6.1 Continuous Learning
Candidates demonstrate continual growth in knowledge and skills of current and emerging technologies and apply them to improve personal productivity and professional practice. (PSC 6.1/ISTE 6a, 6b)
Artifact: ISTE2014
Reflection:
This artifact is an application to receive a scholarship to attend the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) 2014 conference. It represents my continual growth in knowledge and skills of current and emerging technologies and my application of them. It has allowed me to improve personal productivity and professional practice, as I gained knowledge and experience through attending the ISTE conference in Atlanta. From June 28 to July 1, 2014, I was immersed in the vast world of educational technology. At this event I engaged in continuous learning through poster sessions, lectures, playgrounds, and interacted with vendors. This artifact minimally represents of what I took away from the event, for I interacted with a vast array of technology tools, projects, gained professional relationships, and grasped innovative ideas. I utilized the digital tool, the iPad to collect suggestions, product names, and contacts through the use of apps including One Note and utilized the QR code scanner frequently.
The artifact demonstrates continual growth in knowledge and skills of current and emerging technologies because connected nature of the conference. The purpose of the ISTE conference is “to learn, exchange ideas and survey the field of education technology” (ISTE 2014). By attending and participating in various sessions as well as interacting with professionals in the field, I demonstrated continual growth with current and emerging technologies. I was introduced to some of the most innovative technologies available to educators and educational institutions in addition to enhancing my knowledge of familiar devices. I was able to directly take this knowledge and apply it to improve my personal productivity as a teacher and technology facilitator. I was also able to improve my professional practice and can apply the information gleaned to apply to creating an optimal learning environment in my classroom. It also allows me to present and discuss the information with other educational leaders.
One major aspect that I took away from this experience was the fact that staying up to date with the current trends in such an innovative filed is imperative. While it is important to become a master using tool to successfully implement it, it is also important to stay up to date in best practices and be away of current innovations. During the tech coach playground sessions, I learned techniques and tricks to become an effective coach, which is an ultimate goal that I have for future career endeavors. Being able to listen to thoughts and participate in discussions with coaches from an international group allowed me to take a step back and grasp knowledge from some of the industry’s most influential individuals. Being that I am a leader in my school for technology, the opportunity to discuss and view products with other leaders was a unique opportunity I was fortunate to take advantage of. If I were to improve the quality of this artifact, I would likely have better organized the vast amount of information gathered. I was exposed to more information during the time that I spent at ISTE2014 then I could have ever imagined possible. It was overwhelming yet incredibly meaningful. I hope to be able to have an opportunity like this again in the future, but with concise focus as a technology leader within a district or organization.
The application representing my scholarship to ISTE 2014 impacts school improvement, faculty development and student learning because I of the transfer of gained knowledge and techniques, tools, and ideas with staff. The information learned by attending the conference impacts student learning because new technology tools and activities will indefinitely be integrated into lesson plans and units. This impact can be assessed through learning walks and observation of students utilizing technology to increase their depth of knowledge.
References
About the ISTE Conference and Expo. (n.d.). ISTE 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014, from https://www.isteconference.org/2014/about/
This artifact is an application to receive a scholarship to attend the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) 2014 conference. It represents my continual growth in knowledge and skills of current and emerging technologies and my application of them. It has allowed me to improve personal productivity and professional practice, as I gained knowledge and experience through attending the ISTE conference in Atlanta. From June 28 to July 1, 2014, I was immersed in the vast world of educational technology. At this event I engaged in continuous learning through poster sessions, lectures, playgrounds, and interacted with vendors. This artifact minimally represents of what I took away from the event, for I interacted with a vast array of technology tools, projects, gained professional relationships, and grasped innovative ideas. I utilized the digital tool, the iPad to collect suggestions, product names, and contacts through the use of apps including One Note and utilized the QR code scanner frequently.
The artifact demonstrates continual growth in knowledge and skills of current and emerging technologies because connected nature of the conference. The purpose of the ISTE conference is “to learn, exchange ideas and survey the field of education technology” (ISTE 2014). By attending and participating in various sessions as well as interacting with professionals in the field, I demonstrated continual growth with current and emerging technologies. I was introduced to some of the most innovative technologies available to educators and educational institutions in addition to enhancing my knowledge of familiar devices. I was able to directly take this knowledge and apply it to improve my personal productivity as a teacher and technology facilitator. I was also able to improve my professional practice and can apply the information gleaned to apply to creating an optimal learning environment in my classroom. It also allows me to present and discuss the information with other educational leaders.
One major aspect that I took away from this experience was the fact that staying up to date with the current trends in such an innovative filed is imperative. While it is important to become a master using tool to successfully implement it, it is also important to stay up to date in best practices and be away of current innovations. During the tech coach playground sessions, I learned techniques and tricks to become an effective coach, which is an ultimate goal that I have for future career endeavors. Being able to listen to thoughts and participate in discussions with coaches from an international group allowed me to take a step back and grasp knowledge from some of the industry’s most influential individuals. Being that I am a leader in my school for technology, the opportunity to discuss and view products with other leaders was a unique opportunity I was fortunate to take advantage of. If I were to improve the quality of this artifact, I would likely have better organized the vast amount of information gathered. I was exposed to more information during the time that I spent at ISTE2014 then I could have ever imagined possible. It was overwhelming yet incredibly meaningful. I hope to be able to have an opportunity like this again in the future, but with concise focus as a technology leader within a district or organization.
The application representing my scholarship to ISTE 2014 impacts school improvement, faculty development and student learning because I of the transfer of gained knowledge and techniques, tools, and ideas with staff. The information learned by attending the conference impacts student learning because new technology tools and activities will indefinitely be integrated into lesson plans and units. This impact can be assessed through learning walks and observation of students utilizing technology to increase their depth of knowledge.
References
About the ISTE Conference and Expo. (n.d.). ISTE 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014, from https://www.isteconference.org/2014/about/