Professional Development 

Here are the links of some websites I will use during my course of teaching high school students, as well as some other materials I have made through my education classes.

Concept Map 

Concept maps are a great way for either the teacher or student to organixe thoughts in a clear way.  Both parties are able to see a clear way that the material can all fit together. In this example, I created an example of concepts that get covered in secondary agriculture education classes.

Concept Map  

Apple Teacher 

Apple teachers are an excellent way to explore all the applications that Apple places on their devices. Teachers can take what they learned and apply it to activities in class to incorporate more technology. In this example, I took the course to further my knowledge of my Apple devices. 

Edpuzzle

Edpuzzle is an effective way for students to learn through videos and simultaneously answer questions created by the teacher. Teachers can track their student's answers once they complete the video. In this example, I selected a video that gave specific and broad details on animal genetics.

Chatterpix 

Chatterpix is an app that can be used for many different assignments, and teachers can even use it. This app is a simple and quick way to create a short video to present information. In this example, I created a short video to introduce myself to my students.

Professional Development Strengths

• Being able to show leadership through activities

• Being able to collaborate with others

• Having basic technical knowledge prior to starting this course. 

Areas of Improvement in Professional Development 

• I struggle with creating a design that is both appealing and informative

• Being able to do an analysis of information that is presented through technology 

• I struggle with my skills in using online content besides Microsoft 

• Areas of Improvement in Professional Development 

Professional Development Goals 

• The first goal that I have is to be able to use what I learned through the badges and course and use them in the future.

• The second goal that I have is to be able to understand different softwares and applications that I can use it in the classroom without help.

Part 1: Development Chart 

The chart below compares the growth of technology competencies between the beginning and end of the course, based on the ISTE Standards: Learner, Leader, Citizen, Collaborator, Designer, Facilitator, and Analyst, as well as overall technology skill development.

Part 2: Growth Description 

Part 2.1: At the Beginning of the Semester 

Three Strengths of Using Technology, I already had a solid foundation in general technology skills at the beginning of the semester. This included navigating educational platforms, using Word, processing the presentation tools, and managing basic classroom tech tools. My familiarity helped me feel confident when organizing lessons or presenting material digitally. I demonstrated strength in facilitating student learning through technology, even at the beginning of the course. I was able to guide students in using digital tools effectively during assignments and classroom tasks. This early ability to promote tech use for learning helped streamline student engagement. I was already fairly skilled in using digital tools to collaborate with both students and peers. I participated in shared Google Docs, co-created lesson plans, and used communication apps with fellow students. These collaboration skills were key in developing a supportive digital classroom environment. While I had some familiarity with tech tools, I realized that my ability to engage in ongoing digital learning was limited. I wanted to explore how to use online communities, webinars, and tech tools to enhance my own professional development. Expanding this mindset was a goal for me at the start of the course. I felt unsure about my ability to design learning experiences using digital tools. I knew how to present content, but not how to creatively construct student-centered digital activities that promote active learning. I wanted to become more confident in designing accessible and engaging tech-integrated lessons.Using data and digital tools to assess student learning was another area I needed to strengthen. I didn’t fully understand how to use digital assessment platforms or interpret learning analytics to guide instruction. My goal was to better integrate formative and summative digital assessment tools into my teaching.

Part 2.2: At the End of the Semester

By the end of the course, my overall technology skills had improved significantly. I became more efficient at using educational software, managing digital classroom platforms, and integrating multimedia. These skills allowed me to confidently lead tech-rich lessons and support students’ digital learning needs. I developed a strong understanding of digital citizenship, including ethical technology use, responsible online behavior, and cyber safety. I now feel prepared to guide students in navigating the digital world thoughtfully and safely. This knowledge has become essential to creating a respectful and inclusive digital learning environment. I became more confident in creating interactive and personalized learning experiences using tools like Google Slides, Canva, and assessment platforms. I learned how to integrate visuals, videos, and self-checks into my lesson designs. This growth has made my teaching more engaging and accessible for all learners. After the course, I now understand how to use digital assessments and interpret student data to guide instruction. Tools like Google Forms, Quizizz, and formative feedback platforms have helped me monitor student understanding more effectively. This improvement has made my teaching more responsive and targeted. I improved in my ability to take initiative in implementing tech practices and encouraging others to use digital tools. I participated more actively in professional tech discussions and shared tools and ideas with peers. I now see myself as someone who can lead by example in tech integration. Throughout the course, I embraced continuous learning through technology by engaging in webinars, online resources, and professional networks. I now regularly explore new tools and strategies to enhance both my instruction and student engagement. This growth has helped me adopt a mindset of lifelong digital learning.  One of my goals is to learn more about assistive technologies to support students with special needs and multilingual learners. I plan to explore tools such as screen readers, translation extensions, and alternative input methods. This will ensure that my classroom is more inclusive and equitable. To further my skills, I plan to complete a professional certification such as Google Certified Educator or ISTE Certified Educator. This credential will help formalize my tech integration knowledge and boost my ability to lead tech-focused PD sessions for colleagues. I hope this certification opens opportunities for tech leadership roles. I want to build a curated collection of tech tools and lesson templates that I can adapt for future units and share with others. This will include tools for engagement, assessment, collaboration, and accessibility. Having a go-to tech toolkit will save time and increase effectiveness in my classroom.