Educational technology leaders plan, design, and model effective learning environments and multiple experiences supported by technology. Educational technology leaders:
a. Design developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply technology-enhanced instructional strategies to support the diverse needs of learners.
Artifact: Addressing Diversity with Technology
Course: MEDT 6401
Semester: Spring 2009
NETS Reflection: This assignment dealt directly with how to utilize technology to assist learners with special needs. One of the many great benefits of modern technology, learners with disabilities now have many different tools to help aid them in their educational goals. Besides those with disabilities, modern computing technologies can now be used to tailor instruction to those with different learning styles. With the vast resources available via the Internet, student can tailor content to their preferred learning style. Some might watch a video while others might listen to a podcast or read plain text. This assignment only required us to focus on one student, but technology is now available for all.
b. Apply current research on teaching and learning with technology when planning learning environments and experiences.
Artifact: Big Three Paper
Course: MEDT 8463
Semester: Fall 2008
NETS Reflection: The Big Three Paper was done to evaluate the program Study Island. This assignment stressed to importance of researching new technologies and applications before implementation. When planning and designing curriculum it is vital that we take the time to analyze technologies to see if they have merit. In other words, will they perform some function better than the existing methods? New programs should never be used just because they are new.
c. Identify and locate technology resources and evaluate them for accuracy and suitability
Artifact: Website Evaluation
Course: MEDT 6401
Semester: Spring 2009
NETS Reflection: This assignment required us to evaluate a website based on content, technical aspects, design, support, and motivation. Evaluation of resources, whether a website or new piece of software is a necessary skill for all people, especially those involved with education. There exist countless websites on the Internet, not all of them contain accurate and reliable information. Before using a technological resource in a lesson, it is necessary to critique the material to ensure it is both accurate and suitable for your intended audience. This assignment was a perfect example of the type of evaluation that one must apply to these types of resources.
d. Plan for the management of technology resources within the context of learning activities
Artifact: Web Quest
Course: MEDT 6401
Semester: Spring 2009
NETS Reflection: This assignment of designing a web quest requires not only a good lesson design but also thought on how one will implement the assignment in the classroom or lab setting. Are there enough computers? Do any of the activities require the use of speakers? These are some of the questions one must consider when implementing such a lesson.
e. Plan strategies to manage student learning in a technology-enhanced environment.
Artifact: Online Course Design
Course: MEDT 7472
Semester: Summer 2009
NETS Reflection: This assignment was one of the most gratifying and helpful in the program, as this is how I would like to teach someday. I had to design a module for an online course, which is quite different from a traditional classroom setting. I had to use various Internet applications like Google Docs and Course Den
discussion boards to promote collaboration instead of the traditional type of group work. I also created video tutorials that demonstrated how to solve problems which is quite different from person-to-person demonstrations. This type of platform requires one to plan very carefully when deciding on specific strategies and assignments
f. Identify and apply instructional design principles associated with the development of technology resources.
Artifact: ASSURE Lesson Plan
Course: MEDT 6401
Semester: Spring 2009
NETS Reflection: The ASSURE lesson plan format is very specific in design. It requires one to analyze the learners, state objectives, select instructional methods, media, and materials, utilize the materials, require learner participation, and evaluate. It is usually a short lesson with a very specific purpose and requires one to give a lot of thought on how best to use whatever technological resource you have chosen to utilize. In my plan, I needed the use of a computer lab with Internet access that would allow the learners to run through a very quick tutorial on identifying graphed functions and linear functions. The evaluation materials were also made available over the Internet, which reduced the amount of physical handouts.
