Commitment to Educational Technology
As the nation and our students transition into the 21st century, education, the ultimate tool to ready our youth for the real-world, must meet the demands of the world. Whether it is at home, school, or work, technology has become a part of the majority of the population's daily lifestyle. As an educator I envision a dedicated effort to ensure that our students rise to the technological occasion and meet the demands of computers and web technology skills that will be necessary both in higher education and in their careers. By now, the "evidence from research and the experience of leading-edge schools shows that without the opportunities afforded by technology our children's future is jeopardized. Properly used, technology increases students' learning opportunities, motivation, and achievement; it helps students to acquire skills that are rapidly becoming essential in the workplace; and it breaks the barriers of time and place, enabling students in any community, no matter how remote or impoverished, to have access to high-quality instruction" (US Dept. of Ed., 2003).
Lack of time, money, and resources will not interfere with my role as an educator who integrates technology into the curriculum. The students I am involved with will access and utilize the resources that are available to them in order to enhance their technological literacy. It is imperative that today's students are familiar with current applications and Web 2.0 technologies, whether or not they employ these technologies, but, at the very minimum, to be free from ignorance as they prepare themselves for the technological world outside of their school. Where technological resources or finances are lacking, I will seek assistance from administration and outside sources to ensure that there is equitable access to technology for all students, thereby, equal opportunities for success for all students. Students will become familiar with multimedia as it will present them with new ways to analyze and understand the world around them. I will continue to evolve with the technological trends and infuse them into the curriculum so that students' motivation, attitudes, and achievement all continue to improve by the integration of technology. I will commit to provide the challenges and opportunities for independent growth that today's technologies can offer to our students. Today's students will be encouraged to learn in a realm that is comfortable and familiar; they cannot be expected to be engaged in a classroom that does not utilize multimedia technology to enhance their educational experience.
Technology for pedagogical purposes, rather than using it for the sake of technology utilization will be a curriculum focus. Students in my classes will continue to utilize their internet researching skills, learning best practices to determine whether or not sources are credible and reliable. Fair Use and Copyright education will be a continual emphasis making students cognizant of rules and regulations. Basic skills addressing word processing, spreadsheets, and media presentations will continue to be a focus as these are necessary skills both in and, especially, outside of school. The technological advancements will include blogs that will allow students to communicate and collaborate with each other outside of the class; electronic portfolios will show achievement and growth, making parents accessible to their child's work, and making students accountable for themselves; multimedia software such as MovieMaker, Camtasia, and Audacity will be used in projects to show student-generated mastery of curriculum objectives. Students will be encouraged to become teachers of technology and be welcomed participants in the technological advancements available in education.
As an educator and life-long learner, I am committed to making efforts to seek educational opportunities that keep me informed of current technological trends. Since being introduced to a wealth of Web 2.0 technologies, my goal within the years 2010-2012 is to become an expert with the technologies, rather than a novice. Specific areas of interest would include the use of Camtasia and podcasts that will allow me to provide additional tutorials that will be available on a class webpage. Professional networking via blogs and educational websites maintained for educational technology will provide acquisition of new skills that can be implemented in the class room. While developing lesson plans, I will integrate technology that meets the standards that students are expected to achieve throughout the grade-levels. Investigative research seeking programs that increase achievement in reading, writing, and mathematical problem-solving will become a focus of my educational mission. I will attend professional development that expressly addresses both of my areas of certification in language arts and mathematics so that I can acquire specialized strategies in both areas, rather than solely gaining a broad knowledge of technology.
Source:
US Department of Education
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/plan/2004/site/edlite-default.html
Lack of time, money, and resources will not interfere with my role as an educator who integrates technology into the curriculum. The students I am involved with will access and utilize the resources that are available to them in order to enhance their technological literacy. It is imperative that today's students are familiar with current applications and Web 2.0 technologies, whether or not they employ these technologies, but, at the very minimum, to be free from ignorance as they prepare themselves for the technological world outside of their school. Where technological resources or finances are lacking, I will seek assistance from administration and outside sources to ensure that there is equitable access to technology for all students, thereby, equal opportunities for success for all students. Students will become familiar with multimedia as it will present them with new ways to analyze and understand the world around them. I will continue to evolve with the technological trends and infuse them into the curriculum so that students' motivation, attitudes, and achievement all continue to improve by the integration of technology. I will commit to provide the challenges and opportunities for independent growth that today's technologies can offer to our students. Today's students will be encouraged to learn in a realm that is comfortable and familiar; they cannot be expected to be engaged in a classroom that does not utilize multimedia technology to enhance their educational experience.
Technology for pedagogical purposes, rather than using it for the sake of technology utilization will be a curriculum focus. Students in my classes will continue to utilize their internet researching skills, learning best practices to determine whether or not sources are credible and reliable. Fair Use and Copyright education will be a continual emphasis making students cognizant of rules and regulations. Basic skills addressing word processing, spreadsheets, and media presentations will continue to be a focus as these are necessary skills both in and, especially, outside of school. The technological advancements will include blogs that will allow students to communicate and collaborate with each other outside of the class; electronic portfolios will show achievement and growth, making parents accessible to their child's work, and making students accountable for themselves; multimedia software such as MovieMaker, Camtasia, and Audacity will be used in projects to show student-generated mastery of curriculum objectives. Students will be encouraged to become teachers of technology and be welcomed participants in the technological advancements available in education.
As an educator and life-long learner, I am committed to making efforts to seek educational opportunities that keep me informed of current technological trends. Since being introduced to a wealth of Web 2.0 technologies, my goal within the years 2010-2012 is to become an expert with the technologies, rather than a novice. Specific areas of interest would include the use of Camtasia and podcasts that will allow me to provide additional tutorials that will be available on a class webpage. Professional networking via blogs and educational websites maintained for educational technology will provide acquisition of new skills that can be implemented in the class room. While developing lesson plans, I will integrate technology that meets the standards that students are expected to achieve throughout the grade-levels. Investigative research seeking programs that increase achievement in reading, writing, and mathematical problem-solving will become a focus of my educational mission. I will attend professional development that expressly addresses both of my areas of certification in language arts and mathematics so that I can acquire specialized strategies in both areas, rather than solely gaining a broad knowledge of technology.
Source:
US Department of Education
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/plan/2004/site/edlite-default.html