ISTE #5

ISTE #5

According to this standard and its indicator, technological effective educators actively engage in professional growth and leadership in effort to continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning; as well as, to exhibit leadership in their school and professional community through the effective use of digital tools and resources. After reviewing this standard and its indicators, I’ve decided to set two personal goals in which I would like to pursue this upcoming school year.

            As I reviewed the indicators for this standard, I learned that I have quite a bit of work to do in effort to meet this requirement. As listed by the four indicators, technological effective educators participate in local and global learning communities in effort to explore creative applications of technology to help with the improvement of student learning.  Additionally, they exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, by participating in shared decision making and community building as well as, working to develop the leadership and technology skills of others.  They evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis in effort to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources to support student learning and they contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self renewal of the teaching profession, their school and their community. With this in mind, I thought about where I currently stand.

            I know that I am fortunate to have a position with a school district that highly supports technology infusion. However, I must admit, that I have not taken full advantage of the support in the past. Therefore, I believe that change must begin in my own backyard.  My first goal is to review the technology supported professional development courses being offered from the district this school year. Through the year, I’ve challenge myself to enroll in two to four of these courses. Additionally, being the grade level chair for second grade, I’ve spent some time with school administration and recently learned that two members of my team have been replaced this upcoming school year. I was elated to learn that one of the new members to the team is a former computer teacher and is quite technology savvy.  Therefore, my second goal is to spend an extensive amount of planning time with my team to collaborate on best practice technology approaches to our curriculum and the digital resources and tools in which we have available. Overall, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this course. It has taught me a lot about what is coming down the line in education and what I must do to be prepared, if I plan to remain in the field.  Now I challenge myself to be in the learner’s seat and practice the same love for learning new experiences that I expect and require from my students. 

ISTE #4

ISTE #4

After reviewing this standard and its indicators I’ve learned that I have some work to do in regards to promoting and modeling digital citizenship and responsibility. As indicated by this standard, technological effective teachers should understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices.  In review of this standard and its indicators, I am in need of professional development in two out of four of its indicators.

According to indicator one and three, educators should advocate, model and teach safe, legal and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources. As well as, promote and model digital etiquette and responsibility. After reading chapter one of The Digital Diet, I’ve learned that to some extent, I do and have been practicing these indicators in which some might refer to as digital citizenship. According to the authors, digital citizens must abide by six tenets: respect yourself, others and intellectual property; as well as, protect yourself, others and intellectual property. Without knowing or being aware of the term digital citizenship and its meaning, I have been abiding by these tenets and to some degree; I have made my students aware of them.

According to indicators two and four, educators should address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources. As well as, develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital age communication and collaboration tools.  I have to admit, that until recently I was greatly feared interaction with technology. I always felt that technology was a burdensome task to incorporate within my instructional practices. I guess I had no real understanding of how pertinent it is and how much of an asset it could be.  From the reading assignments and projects I have completed for my portfolio, I have gained a great deal of information and learned new instructional methods using technology that would be beneficial to helping me promote student success.  Using this class and the information I’ve gathered I’ve become more interested in learning to become a better digital citizen, so that I can be more effective in breading better digital citizens upon the completion of each school year.