Outcome 1:

Employ the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline of instructional technology and create an environment conducive to effective integration of technology into the school curriculum.

Project Title 1: WebQuest

Class: DMET 510 - Online Tools and Strategies in a Learner Centered Classroom

Artifact: WebQuest

Artifact: WebQuest Planning Sheet

Summary:

The first artifact is a WebQuest on the past, present and future of geometry and how geometry is integrated in a student's life. The WebQuest allows students to use technology to help them reflect, research and demonstrate on a topic that has meaning to them and requires them to contemplate opportunities for their own future. Students are first required to work in groups to complete research the on the history of geometry, creating an opportunity for collaboration. When the research is complete, the project has students work individually to reflect and apply the research to their own lives and futures. The final portion of the WebQuest is a presentation requiring students to use technology to share their project with their class professionally.

Reflection:

Creating this WebQuest assignment in DMET510 allowed me to combine several tools of technology into one assignment and allows students flexibility in how they complete the assignment. The technology allows students to make choices about how they want to complete the activity within the teacher's guidelines. This activity moves learning from teacher centered to student centered giving responsibility to the students for their own learning. I found it challenging when creating this WebQuest to not be specific about what I wanted from the students instead let them create their own path to completion of the project. The tools I learned in DMET510 assisted in creating several options for flexibility for the students to completed the assignment.

Project Title 2: Learning Theories Book

Class: DMET 520 - Selection & Application Learning Technologies

Artifact: Learning Theories Book

Summary:

This project i wrote a book that summarized four learning theories; Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism and Connectivism along with a summary of TPACK - Technology Pedagogical Content Knowledge. The learning theories are used in planning, managing and teaching in classrooms and they need to be understood and implemented to be an affective educator. The artifact will give examples of the theories and alternative examples of educators that did not apply the theories into their classroom environment.

Reflection:

This project challenged my process of teaching for the past 20 years by taking a different approach to lesson planning that focuses on goals instead of standards based off what i have learned about the four learning theories. Once I completed the research on the theories the examples from my teaching experiences flowed freely and I was aware that the theories were very present in my planning, classroom management and teaching. What is new to me as a teacher is TPACK and how I bring technology into my classroom. This has become a new focus to me as an educator and to be able to share to teachers as a math coach.