Key Issues in Ed Tech
How does this project provide information literacy and technology skills in students?
The interactive whiteboard will allow me to demonstrate and model any new technology that the students may be unfamiliar with. It will provide me a tool to develop lessons that incorporates new technology into my classroom. In order for students to become familiar with new technology I would provide students with assignments that cover the content we are currently studying but force them to use a certain technology to turn in their completed assignment.
How does this project meet the needs of diverse learners using the concepts of the Universal Design for learning?
The driving force behind my desire to implement interactive whiteboard technology is due to the diversity of the ability of the learners in my classroom. This technology will aide me with the differentiated instruction that I already implement in my delivery. It will allow me to break down content according to different ability levels with just a touch of the screen in front of the whole class without embarrassing any of the students. This provides all students the exposure to both core and essential benchmarks and allows them a method to decide what is important for them to learn based on their ability. This can be done by assigning individuals a color at the beginning of the unit and they are required to learn any and all of the material displayed in their color. This ensures all students are exposed to the required curriculum but allows for flexibility based on their individual ability. This technology allows me to provide instructional techniques that covers the diverse learning styles each individual has.
How does this project assist in teaching the students legal and ethical practices of online resources?
Being a heavy project based curriculum I run into issues with students not knowing how to correctly use internet and other resources. The interactive whiteboard technology allows me to provide examples of student work and for the students to provide corrections at the touch of a screen. In addition I would be able to model the correct manner of obtaining online resources and visually create a works cited page or other form of citation. Lastly I will be able to display images and articles that explain fair use and copyright laws.
How does this technology develop creativity and critical thinking skill in students?
Allowing students to turn in their assignments using different media (PowerPoint, Videos, Websites and others) will provide them the opportunity to be as creative as they can while learning content. Having an interactive whiteboard will allow me to project student work in front of the class to illustrate their understanding along with their creativity. In every one of my rubrics there will be a section dedicated to creativity and students will earn points toward their grade for turning in original work.
How does your project illustrate leadership and allow for Professional Development?
A tool is as effective as the user behind it. In order for me to become proficient in my classroom with an interactive whiteboard I will need to be as informed as possible on its functions. There are multiple resources I will use including ISTE and MACUL to inquire about new ways to use current technologies and new technologies that become available. I have already joined a social network, classroom 2.0, which provides webinars and discussion boards which allow me to stay updated. Other resources include SITE, NSTA and NABT that I will stay current with. By becoming a pioneer in my school and integrating technology into every facet of my teaching I will be an inspiration to others to do the same. In addition I already have a meeting with my principal to discuss me presenting some of the technologies I have already become familiar with in this program at our first staff meeting.
The interactive whiteboard will allow me to demonstrate and model any new technology that the students may be unfamiliar with. It will provide me a tool to develop lessons that incorporates new technology into my classroom. In order for students to become familiar with new technology I would provide students with assignments that cover the content we are currently studying but force them to use a certain technology to turn in their completed assignment.
How does this project meet the needs of diverse learners using the concepts of the Universal Design for learning?
The driving force behind my desire to implement interactive whiteboard technology is due to the diversity of the ability of the learners in my classroom. This technology will aide me with the differentiated instruction that I already implement in my delivery. It will allow me to break down content according to different ability levels with just a touch of the screen in front of the whole class without embarrassing any of the students. This provides all students the exposure to both core and essential benchmarks and allows them a method to decide what is important for them to learn based on their ability. This can be done by assigning individuals a color at the beginning of the unit and they are required to learn any and all of the material displayed in their color. This ensures all students are exposed to the required curriculum but allows for flexibility based on their individual ability. This technology allows me to provide instructional techniques that covers the diverse learning styles each individual has.
How does this project assist in teaching the students legal and ethical practices of online resources?
Being a heavy project based curriculum I run into issues with students not knowing how to correctly use internet and other resources. The interactive whiteboard technology allows me to provide examples of student work and for the students to provide corrections at the touch of a screen. In addition I would be able to model the correct manner of obtaining online resources and visually create a works cited page or other form of citation. Lastly I will be able to display images and articles that explain fair use and copyright laws.
How does this technology develop creativity and critical thinking skill in students?
Allowing students to turn in their assignments using different media (PowerPoint, Videos, Websites and others) will provide them the opportunity to be as creative as they can while learning content. Having an interactive whiteboard will allow me to project student work in front of the class to illustrate their understanding along with their creativity. In every one of my rubrics there will be a section dedicated to creativity and students will earn points toward their grade for turning in original work.
How does your project illustrate leadership and allow for Professional Development?
A tool is as effective as the user behind it. In order for me to become proficient in my classroom with an interactive whiteboard I will need to be as informed as possible on its functions. There are multiple resources I will use including ISTE and MACUL to inquire about new ways to use current technologies and new technologies that become available. I have already joined a social network, classroom 2.0, which provides webinars and discussion boards which allow me to stay updated. Other resources include SITE, NSTA and NABT that I will stay current with. By becoming a pioneer in my school and integrating technology into every facet of my teaching I will be an inspiration to others to do the same. In addition I already have a meeting with my principal to discuss me presenting some of the technologies I have already become familiar with in this program at our first staff meeting.
