home

Kristin Yee's Introduction to Instructional Technology Reflection Page

Description
 * Week Five: July 18th, 2011 Module Seven**

This final week, I shared what experiences I have had with online learning. I also addressed strategies I have used for online learning. Impact

I started with online learning when I began my master's program. At first, I was so apprehensive about taking a web basedclass because I have never taken one before nor did I know anyone who has take none. My concern was I would not be ableto understand the material taught because I am so use to face to face instruction. I had a preconceived notion that the professors would add new material each week and leave us for thewolves. But that has not been the caseat all. Every single one of my professors has been engaging and madeit well known that they can be reached virtually anytime we need assistance. No one has left me out on my own and I feel as though I have gained way more knowledge from web based courses than I have in a traditional classroom. The strategies I have used are:
 * **Persistent:**If I feel as though I am never going to get through an assignment, I take afew minutes to recharge then I start up again. I have always said failure is not in my vocabulary and I will always getthrough the difficult times.
 * **Organized:**My parents have drilled it in me ever since I was in grade school thatorganization is a key to success. I havea planner that is my life and it has helped me manage my deadlines andcommitments
 * **Not afraid to ask for help**: I have learned that asking for help is not a signof weakness but a sign of strength and growth. It has helped me survive tough times and keep me on the road to success
 * **flexible**: I was willing to be open minded about the web based course and willing toadapt and in return I am not as frustrated and it has been an enjoyableexperience
 * **proactive**: I have always been a self started. Itook the initiative to meet with professors and Dr. Ward (advisor) whenchanging my major to fully understand what I need to accomplish my goal ofgraduating with a masters degree

Intent

I intend to remember my experiences and try to recreate them for my learners. It is important that learners feel a sense of security and community and have an enjoyable experience. Otherwise, they are not likely to choose another online course. I also intend to pass on the strategies that worked for me and explain why with personal stories. I feel that adding personal stories makes the strategies seem plausable. I feel as though I am a successful and well prepared online learner. I work 40 hour weeks and I take as much as three online courses at a time. I balance my time between work, school, and free time. Description
 * Week Five: July 18th, 2011 Module Eight**

For the last module, I shared my goals for my degree. I have also thought about my learning during this term and how I will use the knowledge I have constructed to improve the use of technology for learning in my class and my own personal and professional development.

Impact

The goals I have for my degree is to improve performance in language arts, math, science,history and geography, language development, art, music, and creativity in early childhood education by creating, using, and managing appropriate technological resources in my own classroom. I strongly believe in transforming American education through the power of technology. Therefore, I want to become a professional development technology leader in my school while still being inthe classroom. I would like to introduce and inspire other teachers to create, manage assess engaging and relevant learning experiences through technologies.

Throughout this term I have learned about TPACK, equity, ethics and technology, 21st century skills for teaching and learning, and challenges and rewards of online teaching and learning. Intent

The knowledge that I have gained has expanded my view of how I see education. I embrace continuous improvement, yet that requires getting a handle on the costs associated with components in our educational system. Redesigning education is a complex challenge that will require states, districts, schools,the federal government and other educational stakeholders to come together and implement solutions. I understand the great importance technology has in a learner’s education, yet I alsounderstand funding is not always viable. But I am willing to bring my knowledge and beliefs where ever I go.

Description This week my colleagues and I started designing the beginning of my ePortfolio and Field Experience plan by completing the Alignment Document. I also reflected on how I can use my ePortfolio to help others understand how to intergrate technology more effectively in the classroom. Impact The ePortfolio put into perspectives what competencies I have and which competencies I need to gain by looking at past field experiences and field experiences I need to implement. I also became more aware of my strengths and weakness by reviewing my reflections from my completed pre-competencies verfication. I have realized there is a lot of information/competencies I still need to gain. Intent I am willing to demonstrate my indepth understanding of technology, model effective learning environments, apply and implement curriculum that include methods and strategies for utilizing technology, and understand social, ethical, and legal issues at my work.
 * Week Four: July 11th, 2011 Module Six**

Description For this module in Week Three, I shared how I can help impact a change as a technology leader at my work. I also described how I would like to implement some productivity tools in the near future Impact At my work place, we do not use any type of technology resources to collect and analyze data. However, there are some things I can do to help impact a change as a technology leader. Those things are:
 * Week Three: July 4th, 2011 Module Five**
 * develop and implement a shared vision for the use of techonology in teaching and learning
 * design and develop technology infused strategic plans
 * research, recommend, and implement policies, procedures, programs, and funding strategies to support and implementation of the shared vision
 * demonstrate the knowledge and skills to effectively integrate technology into my own teaching practices
 * collaboratively plan and assist other educators in utilizing technology.

Intent I plan on implementing some productivity tools in the near future so I can better collaborate with my colleagues, create a better learning environment for my students, communicate with parents and students, and be better organized overall. There are some great productivity tools on the website, 'Learning Telecollabortively'. Description For this module, I discussed 21st century challenges. I reflected on what elements are important in my classroom, what I view as technologies role is, and what I plan to do to address the equity and ethics issues when applying technologies. Impact Many teachers are working with students whose entire lives have been immersed in the 21st century media culture. They easily navigate different electronics multimedia resources. Although they know how to access and utilize these tools, many of them use them for entertainment purposes and they are not truly media literate. We need to teach our students to use these tools to enable them to become truly media literate. The elements that I believe are important to teach my preschoolers to help them become media literate are: effective and written communication, collaboration, adability, curiousity and imagination. Technologies role is simply to not make student's lives easier but it is to help students develop higher order thinking skills, become more self directed, apply what they have learned to real world issues, and collaborate to enable students to reach their full potential in an ever growing competitive world. Intent "We can extend opportunity to all Americans -- or leave many behind. We can erase lines of inequity -- or etch them indelibly. We can accelerate the most powerful engine of growth and prosperity the world has ever know -- or allow that engine to stall." Bill Clinton What I plan to do to address the equity and ethics issues when applying technologies is commit to the challenge of ending the digital divide. I want to work closely with local communities to make sure that schools have hardware, software, and teacher training they need. Every child should have the opportunity to click into the educational promise of technology.
 * Week Three: July 4th, 2011 Module Four**

Description In this module, I created a Pre-Competencies Verification Wiki. Impact I created a Pre-Competencies Verification Wiki to verifty my technology competencies on NET-S (National Educational Technology Standards) through artifacts and reflections. My artifacts reflect my technology use as an educator. I have strengths and weaknesses throughout the different standards. Some of my strengths are: using that digital tool to promote critical thinking and engaged students, collaborating with peers, parents, and administrators, and advocating, modeling, and teaching safe and ethical use of digital tools. Intent While creating my Pre-Competencies Verification, I have recognized my weaknesses and I intend to improve them. Some weaknesses I need to improve are: ongoing professional growth and developing digtial age learning experiences and assessments. Description This week, I described how technology is used in my work environment, how frequently do my students use technology for learning, my level of satisfaction with the frequency and context, and the other technologies I would like to see. Then we discussed the term ‘technocentric’, my experiences, and how to help other teachers avoid being technocentric teachers. We also had to complete a pre-competency verification project.
 * Week Two: June 27th, 2011 Module Three**
 * Week Two: June 27th, 2011 Module Two**

Impact From reading anddiscussing with my peers, I have found that early grades do not get access totechnology as upper levels do. The technology that is used in myclassroom at the Green YMCA is very limited. The students and I use the follow technologies: CD player forsing-a-longs, read louds, and nap time music, digital camera to capture momentsthroughout the day for parents to view, the internet to research lesson ideas,to access our class Facebook page, and do teacher assisted online lessons, DVD/T.V.to watch educational shows and movies, and pencil and paper for practicingwriting. While other classes in uppergrades have access to computers, Elmos, projectors, wireless keyboards, andinteractive white boards.

The role of technology in early childhood education is a controversial topic. One side is that technology can harm young children and it waste time, money, andchildhood. While the other side suggests that it can potentially be a valuableand essential learning experience. Ibelieve that appropriate and effective uses of technology in early learningprovide guidance in selecting the tools and creating the environment essentialfor successful technology use.

The other topic, technocentric practice, is something to avoid. A technocentric teacher means that one wouldconsider and think about technology first before the consideration of otherlearning requirements. We do not want todevelop technocentric teachers. TPACKhelps us understand that there is a balance between decisions and knowledge of pedagogy,content, and technology. Intent I intend to use the knowledge I havegained from this week’s discussion and avoid being a technocentric teacher andhelp others not be one as well. It is very easy to get caught up in the excitement of new technology or implementing it into the curriculum. But technology shouldonly be used for support or medium for teaching and learning and not a substitutefor the teacher. Both the learning environment and learning goals must be put ahead of technology.

I believe that my pre competencies verification reflect my technology use as an educator. TPACK has impacted my technology decisions and has changed and will continue to change my thinking. I intend to keep progressing my online learning environments as a educator.

Description This first week of class, we had to view the NETS(National Educational Technology Standards). Then, we discovered how ourknowledge of technology standards changed based on what we viewed. Afterwards,we reflected on our own use of technology standards in our classroom andpersonal use. Impact ﻿ I had never viewedthe NETS previous, so this was a new experience for me. I learned that there are standards forstudents, teachers, and administrators. Students need to apply the basics in integrating technology to solveproblems, complete projects, and creatively extend their abilities. Rapid advances in technology put demands onteachers. They must integrate technologyin fundamentals such as, concepts, knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Administrators play a vital role indetermining how well technology is used in our schools. ViewingNETS changed the way I think about technology in every aspect of teaching fromfacilitating, modeling, promoting to engaging, designing, and developing. Technology allows for me to facilitateexperiences that will enhance student learning and creativity, andcollaboration with students, peers, parents, and community members, communicaterelevant information and ideas effectively, advocate for the ethical use ofdigital learning, address the diverse needs of all learners, to design, developand evaluate authentic learning experiences and asses to maximize anddevelopment of knowledge and skills in my students. Itwill help me improve my professional practice, allow me to exhibit leadershipin my school and professional community by promoting and demonstrate theeffective use of digital tools and resources. Intent Throughout this week alone, I have reflected on my own useof technology standards in my classroom and personal use. I want to continuously improve myprofessional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in myschool by collaborating with students, peers, parents, and community members usingdigital resources. I have done so bysetting up a Facebook page for my camper’s parents to view pictures, lessons,and most recently learning objects I have added they can access with theirchild. I also want to create a Wiki fullof learning objects I will access with my students during center time.
 * ****Week One: June 20th, 2011 Module One****﻿**