II. A:

Teachers design developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply technology-enhanced instructional strategies to support the diverse needs of learners.

The most satisfying experience I had designing a learning opportunity came in Teaching with the Internet. The WebQuest I built for that course was such fun to put together and I finished the task with a long list of ideas for ways to incorporate WebQuests into learning. The course plan I created for a professional development lesson is further evidence of my ability design course material that is technology-enhanced and appropriate for the learner. Additionally, I created a Technology Integrated Learning Plan which meets a need for student training on applications and equipment in the Computer Science open labs.

Teachers apply current research on teaching and learning with technology when planning learning environments and experiences.

Using current research to determine appropriate and timely teaching environments is extremely important to the technology integration process. In Technology Coordination, I devised a grant plan to obtain funding for SimCity to be installed in support of a civics course at the high school level. The case study I completed for Technology Leadership required that I analyze and evaluate current research regarding technology resources available to assist hearing impaired students in mainstreamed classrooms. This was an interesting study in which I learned about many new technologies. One of my early examples of reviewing current topics for teaching and learning with technology was completed in Introduction to Technology in Schools. There I summarized an article which discussed trends in educational technologies.

Teachers identify and locate technology resources and evaluate them for accuracy and suitability.

The Jason Project, founded by Dr. Robert Ballard is a wonderful program that enables students to learn about math and science using innovative technologies. I was able to assess one of the components of the Math Adventures program from the Jason Project for the Technology Leadership course. WebQuests are flexible and creative resources to weave technology into learning for nearly any subject. While engaged in Learning with the Internet, I was able to evaluate existing WebQuests for their suitability and usefulness in learning, as well as design a WebQuest of my own that conformed to those standards. With a partner, I researched the possible effectiveness of virtual field trips on student learning. This was an very interesting project as this is an emerging and growing technology resource for educators to integrate.

Teachers plan for the management of technology resources within the context of learning activities.

During a discussion board in Technology Leadership, I described my point of view for possible ways computer labs can be arranged. This post reflects my knowledge about management of technology resources within learning environments. In the context of my Instructional Design course, I presented a project which outlined a professional development course designed to train helpdesk staff to better respond to student questions in the computer lab setting. This work exemplifies managing technology resources through training in higher education lab settings. Also in the Leadership course, I designed a method of information dissemination using web-based resources. The process of getting information to the user community using technology demonstrates management of technology in learning contexts.

Teachers plan strategies to manage student learning in a technology-enhanced environment.

My Technology Integration Learning Plan describes a plan to train students how to use open computing labs. This plan devises a workshop to be delivered to all new programming students to allow them to be productive in the labs from the moment of their first visit. While taking the Introduction to Web Development, I designed a website that would allow our support group to better assist and direct students in our labs. There are components in this website designed to improve customer service to our users, as well as components that allow students to locate help and assistance independently.

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