For this course, I created a prototype of a possible website that could be used for professional development on incorporating technology into the classroom. The objective of that assignment was design thinking. The main problem that I had was formulating my ideas and thoughts into words. The design thinking workbook sectioned off each stage of the design thinking process into steps. I analyzed intrinsic and extrinsic motives and time constraints for information concerning the implementation of classroom technology.
A part of this process consisted of interviews with fellow educators. From those interviews, I found that there were a lot of reasons why the teachers were not incorporating a lot of educational technology in the classroom. Proper training on that technology was one of the main reason along with having time to do it. Having a quality professional development option for the implementation of educational technology is very important to me. Especially when a lot of the draw back from using educational technology is the lack of understanding for that technology. That lack understanding can stem from confidence or other factors but with quality training can be restored.
Therefore, I decided to create the website with monthly tech challenges that can be completed throughout the month for learning that technology that’s needed. Also, with options of advancing the skills and earning incentives for doing so.
Educators continually improve their practice by learning from and with others and exploring proven and promising practices that leverage technology to improve student learning. Educators:
1a Set professional learning goals to explore and apply pedagogical approaches made possible by technology and reflect on their effectiveness.
1b Pursue professional interests by creating and actively participating in local and global learning networks.
1c Stay current with research that supports improved student learning outcomes, including findings from the learning sciences.
Educators seek out opportunities for leadership to support student empowerment and success and to improve teaching and learning. Educators:
2a Shape, advance and accelerate a shared vision for empowered learning with technologyby engaging with education stakeholders.
2b Advocate for equitable access to educational technology, digital content and learning opportunities to meet the diverse needs of all students.
2c Model for colleagues the identification, exploration, evaluation, curation and adoption of new digital resources and tools for learning.
Educators dedicate time to collaborate with both colleagues and students to improve practice, discover and share resources and ideas, and solve problems. Educators:
4a Dedicate planning time to collaborate with colleagues to create authentic learning experiences that leverage technology.
4b Collaborate and co-learn with students to discover and use new digital resources and diagnose and troubleshoot technology issues.
4c Use collaborative tools to expand students' authentic, real-world learning experiences by engaging virtually with experts, teams and students, locally and globally.
4d Demonstrate cultural competency when communicating with students, parents and colleagues and interact with them as co-collaborators in student learning.
Educators design authentic, learner-driven activities and environments that recognize and accommodate learner variability. Educators:
5a Use technology to create, adapt and personalize learning experiences that foster independent learning and accommodate learner differences and needs.
5b Design authentic learning activities that align with content area standards and use digital tools and resources to maximize active, deep learning.
5c Explore and apply instructional design principles to create innovative digital learning environments that engage and support learning.