Standard 3

Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society.

a. Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations

I am always introducing and adapting new technology tools for use in the classroom. Two years before the district decided to adopt Google Tools, the students at the alternative school had Google accounts and were collaborating on documents. This happened because I was introduced to Google Docs at a conference and immediately convinced the staff to implement it. While creating our spoken word CD, we have used a variety of sound recording and creating applications including the built in sound recorder, Sound Forge, Audacity, and Fruity Loops. Finally, each year when the students are working on their projects for our interdisciplinary class, I always give a forty-five minute presentation on cool tools to use.

Artifacts

Track 1 (Early track recorded in classroom)

Track 2 (Studio track)

b. Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation

Ever since the district went one-to-one, I have been decrying the fact that the students received Chromebooks instead of true laptops primarily because of the lack of production tools. I kept the desktop computers in my classroom just so we had MovieMaker. I kept searching for suitable app to replace it. This year I consulted our new technology curriculum coordinator, and he suggested WeVideo. I learned the software while teaching it to students. I also added EdPuzzle to my repertoire on the recommendation of a colleague. I still prefer MovieMaker and use it for the school social media, but I am thrilled now that students have access to WeVideo to help them publish their voice. I have also encouraged parents to join Goodreads.com and become a member of our learning community. Finally, I am the school's key communicator, which means I am responsible for the school news portion of our website. If you follow the link below you may be able to find a couple of stories that have not expired. I have also been working with Gateway Digital Studios

Artifacts

School Website

c. Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital age media formats

I currently rely heavily on Google for most of my communication needs. The district uses Google Mail. I use Google Classroom and create Google Sites. I use the chat feature within Google Docs to give real time advice to students. I am also the schools Key Communicator. The responsibilities for this position include maintaining the school's social media presence, maintaining the school's web page, and updating the calendar. You can follow us here. I have also included a couple of videos from our feed in case you have reached your friend limit.

Artifacts

d. Model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning.

The greatest thing about teaching right now is that I don't have to be the expert. If a student asks something that I don't know, I look it up. When a student wants to address a conspiracy theory (and man do my students love conspiracy theories) or comes across a piece of fake news, we take five minutes and go to fact checking sites. There are days that I spend majority of my time on Snopes, FactCheck, and PolitiFact just debunking the stories that are being spread via social media. This has become such an issue that I designed an action research plan to help implement a media studies program. Even when we are focused on more traditional topics, I take the students through my process for creating and implementing lessons because they need to see how these tools can get one paid. I even presented research to the students to prove the value of reading and then quizzed them over it.

Artifacts

Importance of Reading (Quiz)

Action Research Plan

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