Fenitra's MEDT 6401 Course Portfolio

MEDT 6401: Instructional Technology

This course provides an overview of communication and technology as it relates to teaching and learning; including the design, production and utilization of materials and operation of audiovisual equipment and microcomputers.

Assignments:

Assignment 3.1: Creating a Course Portfolio
This is my course portfolio reflection (click on the link above)

Assignment 3.2: Inspiration Activity
ASSURE Lesson Plan Diagram on Greenhouse Gases
ASSURE Lesson Plan Outline on Greenhouse Gases
ASSURE Lesson Plan Diagram on Emotions
ASSURE Lesson Plan Outline on Emotions

This assignment allowed me to use the Inspiration software for the first time. I am a visual learner so I appreciate the use of flowcharts and diagrams to display a plan of action. The use of typing notes to attach to each icon and then hiding them allows an automatic outline of what you typed to generate. This is a great feature because it decreases the time it would take for the teacher (or in my case Speech-Language Pathologist) to write or type up a lesson plan (or session plan). I can use this software in the future to generate session plans for my speech therapy clients.

Assignment 3.3: A Georgia WebQuest

This assignment allowed me to reinforce the knowledge I learned from the first introduction to Nvu to build a web page. It also took me back to my days as a Systems Analyst where I wrote some HTML code. I enjoyed learning the new embedding function to include videos (in this case youtube). I can foresee teachers using educational videos to reinforce concepts they are teaching their students. In my case as a future Speech-Language Pathologist, I foresee possibly building my own webpage for my future clinic instead of hiring someone to do it for me. The knowledge gained here by doing this assignment is certainly a good starting point.

Assignment 3.4: Google Docs
Speech-Language Pathology Knowledge Survey
Survey Results Spreadsheet

This assignment gave me the chance to learn another function in Google Docs. I was able to create a survey and have the responses automatically populate into a spreadsheet in Google Docs. This is an excellent tool that I can use in the future to possibly create therapy satisfaction surveys for my future clients to respond with feedback to help me better serve their needs. Google Docs is definitely an application I will continue to use in the future.

Assignment 3.5: Creating Your Own WebQuest

This WebQuest assignment gave me the opportunity to develop my own webquest and I enjoyed it. I tailored it to the field of study that I am interested in. I can envision using this in the future if I ever decide to teach a communication disorders course at the college level. This would be a great way to integrate technology with teaching undergraduate students who have chosen communication disorders (or specifically Speech-Language Pathology) as their major.

Assignment 3.6: Copyright Activity
Copyright Activity Document
Georgia Public School Acceptable Use Policy

Knowledge of copyright infringement laws is extremely important, especially if you plan to publish what you have created using someone else's information. Therefore, proper citation is essential. This assignment allowed me to become familiar with copyright laws for technology use. If ever I decide to become a school teacher, I will use what I've learned to inform my students. For personal activities, this knowledge is still valuable for when I create academic research papers or presentations using technology.

Assignment 3.8: Task Analysis Activity

I had never before thought there was an actual name for the process of listing steps for lesson plans (or in my case session plans). This assignment taught me the name is "task analysis" and required me to really think about how to present information to the class during my ASSURE Lesson Plan later this semester. The template for the session plan we use does include techniques and items that will be used in the session, but not as detailed as task analysis. I do see the benefit and plan to use it in the future in addition to the session plans especially for sessions that include numerous techniques.

Assignment 3.9: Addressing Diversity with Technology

This assignment allowed me to further research software for use in the classroom, but this time narrowing the focus to using technology for various diverse populations. Teachers deal with students from all kinds of backgrounds. It is important to adjust teaching style and lesson plans to make sure students with special needs are learning at their full capacity. I enjoyed this assignment because it broadened my knowledge of AAC devices and software that can be used with speech therapy clients.

Assignment 3.10: Writing a Behavioral Objective

This assignment gave me the opportunity to write an objective for the ASSURE Lesson Plan I will create and present to the class in a couple of weeks. Just as the task analysis activity required me to do, this objective writing assignment required me to really think about content I want to present to the class and what I want the class to learn. Even though Speech Pathologists use session plans, creating session objectives is the same as lesson plan objectives. With that said, I definitely see using behavioral objectives in the future.

Assignment 3.11: Website Evaluation Activity
VoiceThread Website Evaluation Write-up
VoiceThread Website Evaluation Form

Choosing a website of interest to me to evaluate was a good opportunity to look closely at parameters that are necessary when utilizing software or websites for lesson or session planning. This assignment allowed me to think about how to incorporate features of the website into various teaching and therapy techniques to best facilitate learning for the student or client. I plan to utilize this website evaluation form in the future when determining which technologies are best to use with my students or clients.

Assignment 3.12: Using the AD3IE Model

This assignment allowed me to adapt a lesson plan model for teachers into a "session plan" for Speech-Language Pathologists. When I saw that performance standards should be included in the AD3IE, I wasn't sure what to use because specific Georgia Performance Standards are what teachers use. I son realized I could use the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) standards in place of the Georgia Performance Standards. The concept is the same, but the fields are different. I definitely see the validity of using the AD3IE model and I like that diversity was added.

Assignment 3.13: Technology Based Lesson Plan

At first glance of the technology lesson plan form template, I was a bit intimidated because some of the topics I wasn't sure if I would be able to answer. My subject matter does not directly correlate to a specific Georgia performance standard like Math or Science. Luckily after some researching, I found a document on the Georgia Performance Standard website that accommodates a course in Healthcare Services. I can see using this document in the future to plan technology based session plans for my speech and language therapy clients.

Assignment 3.14: ASSURE Lesson Plan/Presentation
ASSURE Lesson Plan
Communication Disorders Webpage & Quiz

It was a bit of a challenge for me to switch from creating session plans to an ASSURE lesson plan. However, once I got into the swing of things, I noticed that some of the features of an ASSURE lesson plan are the same as a session plan used by Speech-Language Pathologists. The names may differ but the content is the same. Due to the fact that Georgia Performance Standards do not cover communication disorders coursework, I had to research American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) standards to include in my ASSURE lesson plan.

Assignment 3.15: Web-Based Portfolio

The course portfolio I was required to create and maintain for this course was a new experience for me. Now that it is complete, I can say that I am proud of what I have learned and created. What a great way to see the manifestation of hard work during this course! I was introduced to new software I didn't know existed (i.e. WinSCP, Inspiration, and Nvu). I also learned how to use the features of Google Docs to create surveys and online quizzes. The knowledge gained from this course will definitely benefit me in my academic and career futures.