Digital Learning

For this assignment, I focused on Instructive Resources under the heading of Digital Learning. I have created a page that provides a variety of curated and vetted instructional supports and resources for teachers and/or staff in my district. The goal of the page is to provide a one-stop shop where teachers and staff can find just what they need, when they need it without searching through a vast number of websites. I have included a variety of resources, including text-based tutorials, video content and resource links. The goal is not to list online programs that teachers can use in class, although I have included a link to several programs I have already researched; but rather to help guide the teacher with recommended strategies and research. Additionally, I have included other research items that I think are important to all teachers such as a link to local professional development opportunities as well as a link to the state learning standards.

I am including two links below. The first link will connect to a complete website that I am creating to help facilitate teacher development with integrating technology into the classroom. The second link will connect directly to the Instructive Resources section of the website.

I have chosen to name that website EXALT.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “exalt” as: “hold (someone or something) in very high regard; or raise to a higher rank or a position of greater power.” The name, in this case, stands for EXceed At Learning Technology. I believe this is exactly what the vision of this new program is set to accomplish. The goal is to create new tech-savvy teacher-leaders to help other teachers in the field of technology. These teacher-leaders will not be held in higher-regard, but the information they will share with other teachers will raise the importance of learning and incorporating new technology into their lessons to a higher position. As my mother always used to say, “many hands make light work”. By working collaboratively, each teacher will not need to spend hours researching, reviewing, and testing new programs. This program will be especially helpful to our teachers who live in the very rural parts of our district, hours away from our other schools, where traveling to PD sessions was rarely an option. Teachers now have an avenue where they can work together with other teachers to create lesson plans and share ideas about how to use new programs in their curriculum.

Reflection on this Artifact:

I felt that this artifact connected well with the Professional Development artifact for me. Both of them travel down the same path of technology integration professional development for teachers. I was able to continue working on my website I am creating as a technology resource center for teachers and a teacher-leader program that I hope to introduce in the near future. Again, I will definitely be referring back to this page for future resources and recommendations on professional development.