Section One: Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences

Here you will find artifacts that exhibit my knowledge in planning and designing learning experiences.

Unit of Practice
1) This artifact is a Unit of Practice that I created when taking a Curricular Application Technology class (ET610). This artifact includes an extensive sixth grade reading/social studies lesson plan that features the use of multiple technology devices. In the plan, students must first read the novel Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, then investigate in depth the real life hero the story is based upon. This artifact clearly demonstrates my ability to design effective learning environments that include multiple uses of technology.

TF-II.E
As this Unit of Practice includes the use of various technologies throughout the lesson, this will allow for teachers to manage student learning in a technology enhanced environment.

TF-II.F
This lesson plan includes a technology-based learning activity that utilizes appropriate instructional design principles.


Tellecollaborative Project
2) This artifact is a Telecollaborative Project I created in my Telecommunications in the Classroom class (ET630). This project includes a lesson plan that is intended to be used during or after reading the novel Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. The lesson plan is a supplemental activity for students that builds background knowledge of the setting of the novel. The students learn of the setting of the novel through online communication with students from the novel's country. This plan clearly shows my ability to design an effective learning opportunity through the use of technology.

TF-II.B
As much educational research shows, this project enhances student learning by making the learning experience personal. As the students are making personal contact with a distant student, the learning experience becomes more meaningful to the student.

TF-II.C
The objectives for the Telecollaborative Project clearly align with state curricular goals and the technology resources integrated reflect content standards.

TF-II.D
The Telecollaborative Project provides teachers with options for the management of technology resources when using the learning activity. For example, teachers can use the guideline and notes graphic organizer for students to use during the learning activities. These supplements will encourage student participation and keep the students on track as they progress through the activity. Additionally, the lesson plan provides back-up plans for technological problems for use during the learning activity. This way, the teacher will have the ability to move on with the lesson in case of technological problems.

TF-III.A
This Telecollaborative Project addresses 1-4 NETS for students standards (Creativity and Innovation, Communication and Collaboration, Research and Information Fluency, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making). Additionally, students will use print media and graphics to complete the final phase of the project.

TF-III.D
This Telecollaborative Project includes a small group offline activity that requires students to synthesis the information that they obtained through the use of telecommunication technology. Additionally, the project includes individual contact with a foreign student through the use of an online e-pals service. The students are given clear guidelines and graphic organizer for notes that encourage successful management of the steps of the technology project.

TF-III.E
The objectives listed under "Curriculum Related Goals" for this project clearly align with the state technology curriculum.


Web 2.0 Blog
3) This third artifact is a blog I created in my Telecommunications in the Classroom class(ET630). The blog features valuable web 2.0 information and my opinions of various web 2.0 technologies. This blog demonstrates my knowledge of current technologies which can prove to be valuable for fellow teachers as I can provide them with resources/options to use in their classrooms.

TF-II.A
The Web 2.0 blog provides explanations of various technology resources and feedback for teachers. This blog is a great resources for teachers looking to explore and implement technology in their classroom. Each technology described includes a detailed description of the technology and personal feedback about its usefulness in the classroom.

TF-III.B
The Web 2.0 blog includes a demonstration of how to use Jing Project (online program that allows the user to instantly capture images on their screen and create a recording). The Jing project is an excellent tool to use with students who learn best with visual and audio guides.

TF-III.C
In this blog, there is an explanation of how the Jing Project is a good to use for problem solving when using technology. The blog explains how the tool can be used as a supplement to teaching technology skills for those students that struggle.

Section Two: Social Ethical, Legal, and Human Issues

In this section I will demonstrate my knowledge of the social, ethical, legal,and human issues that surround the use of technology with students.

Assistive Technology Midterm
1) The artifact below is my midterm exam from Adaptive/Assistive Technology for Education class (ET 640). This exam demonstrates my knowledge of adaptive technology to use when working with disabled students. Additionally, the exam explores the laws and processes in place to help those students with disabilities. This knowledge will certainly allow me to improve student learning and create a more equitable learning environment.

TF-VI.B
This assessment clearly demonstrates my knowledge of adaptive and assistive technology. Questions 8, 9, and 10 analyze and recommend appropriate technology resources.

TF-VI.E
This assessment includes an explanation of the Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act(2004) that promotes equitable access to technology resources for all students and teachers.


Memo to Principal
2)This second artifact is a memo I wrote to my principal urging him to look into copyright issues at our school. This was written during my Role of a Technology Specialist class (ET680). This memo was intended to assist my principal with complying with copyright laws.

TF-VI.D
This copyright memo I wrote to my principal recommends appropriate technology resources to ensure safe and healthy use of technology.



Computer Use Policy
3)This artifact is a Computer Use Policy that I created for students in my Role of Technology Specialist class (ET680). This computer use policy uses kid friendly language for students to understand and includes proper computer use rules. This policy was created to promote ethical computer use among students in my current school.

TF-VI.A
My Computer Use Policy lists appropriate computer use rules that support current copyright laws. It is easy to read so students will not have an issue understanding the rules.

Section Three: Assessment and Evaluation

In this section, you will find artifacts that exhibit effective assessment and evaluation methods.

Technology Planning: Plan for a Plan
1)This artifact was created during The Role of a Technology Specialist (ET680) class. This plan details how to go about about creating a technology plan for my current school. The plan takes into account multiple factors that influence and are affected by the technology plan.

TF-V.B
This technology plan includes a needs assessment prior to putting the plan together and an online evaluation concerning the effectiveness of the technology plan after being implemented. The data collected will will help the team make informed decisions regarding the use of technology.


Critical Information Literacy Project
2) The artifact above is my Critical Information Literacy Project that I completed in my Telecommunications in the Classroom class (ET630). This artifact is a lesson plan designed to encourage students to critically analyze websites when looking for information using the internet. Learning to critically analyze websites is a valuable skill that students will use throughout their lives. This lesson plan maximizes student learning through the use of technology.

TF-IV.A
The closure of this Information Literacy Projects improves student learning through the evaluation of data collected during the activity. As the closure of this activity requires students to reflect and assess their findings, student learning of the subject matter is improved.

TF-IV.B
The Information Literacy Project includes a lesson plan that teaches students to examine the validity and reliability of technology resources during the collection of data.


Web Site Evaluation
3) This artifact is a Web Site Evaluation Checklist that I created in my Telecommunications in the Classroom class (ET630). This website evaluation is intended to be used with the Critical Information Literacy lesson plan described above. This evaluation is to be completed during the evaluation of websites. It encourages students to think about the validity of websites and encourages independent and critical thinking. This artifact clearly enhances student learning and encourages self-sufficient learners.

TF-IV.C
This Web Site Evaluation Checklist is useful for teachers to use as they work to improve students' use of technology resources. Students will use the checklist to evaluate the validity and usefulness of a web site. This evaluation can be used as students conduct research using online resources.