Technology+Standards+III+and+IV+Reflection

 **Chapter 3: TF/TL Standard III, Teaching, Learning, and the Curriculum - Model, design, and disseminate curriculum plans that include methods and strategies for applying technology to maximize student learning. **

Standard III focuses on supporting teacher in planning learning experiences for students and outlines how school technologists’ influence teaching and learning through curriculum. Technology standards must be incorporated into the daily curriculum in all subject areas to prepare students for their future and their careers. Most students in this Web 2.0 world are digital nativities, and yet are still being taught in traditional teacher directed educational environments. This is creating curriculum gaps and students are not prepared for the high tech challenges of the digital work force. I had heard of The National Educational Standards for Students (NETS) which is a set of standards that need to be taught in schools to prepare our students for their future, but I did not know much about them. Through my courses with Lamar, I learned that some of the (NETS) include information about, Creativity and Innovation, Communication and Collaboration, and Research and Information Fluency. These are the tools that our children will need for many future career positions, but most schools block communication and collaborations tools and rarely allow students time to conduct research. These are universal concepts that are incorporated into our culture and our workforce on a daily basis. It is important that educators teach these experiences as students progress from grades K-12 in order to prepare them to enter the 21st Century community and workforce. Communication and collaboration extends much farther than the classroom. It holds a meaningful stronghold in corporate and governmental structures. They employ many of the same communication tools as students in the classroom, but on a larger scale. I found that many teachers did not know about the technology that they have on the Web and that it is free for them to use. I have showed teacher how to use Open Office, Google Docs and Wikis to help them in their classroom. They more than willing to learn these new techniques. Schools need Technology leaders and facilitators to model and design strategies which can be implemented, and incorporated into the curriculum. I worked with teachers to guide them through the process of using the most efficient technology tools in their lessons. We looked at methods and strategies that are aligned with our district and state content guidelines and standards. Teachers usually enjoy learning how to use technology and implementing it in their classrooms, but they do not have the time to sit down and figure it all out by themselves. They want someone to tell them what to do so that they can focuses on the learning that needs to come from the lesson in order to get them to pass TAKS. While working with the teachers at school, I learned that they do need help in this area by providing websites, examples of units of study in the various content areas, and a chart with quick tips for them to use. They are really excited about learning new ways for the kids to interact in the classroom, they just need a little help and that is where a technology leader/facilitator comes to the rescue. As a lifelong learner I would like to continue learning new ways to get the teacher involved with technology. I want them to love it as much as I do so that carries on to the students in the classroom. Technology is not going away; it is only getting bigger and we need to embrace this Web 2.0 world and learn to love it.

**Chapter 4: TF/TL Standard IV - Assessment and Evaluation - ** These standard talks about how to assess student learning, collect, analyze, and report student data, and evaluate technologies for student learning. I think using technology and computer-based testing to assess student learning should be a major tool in all core subjects to identify the level of knowledge students possess, and to be able to individualize instruction for all students. This should be a continuous part of education to identify what students know, what they have learned, and what subjects they need additional instruction in. I sent out a survey using [|www.surveymonkey.com] to the faculty and staff asking them what areas of technology would they like to learn more about. The program I chose to use collects and analyzes the data for me so that I can quickly see what the results were. A technology lead should be responsible for keep up a program of that nature on all the students at school. We need to track their progress and make sure that no student is left behind. I have always known that schools keep up with what their students are learning and how they are doing in their classrooms, but until I started studying with this masters degree program I had no idea how much it tracking the progress helps the school improve. I know it has become much easier with technology today. Now knowing how much analyzing data can help you I plan on using this method of study more often and encouraging my colleagues to do the same. I will continue to research on way to improve the classroom using technology. I think this is the wave of the future and it will only get better and better. Teacher could use programs that keep track of their own class and make sure that they progress over the current school year. At my school we have several third grade students, which are “normal” kids that cannot read. If we had some sort of way to keep up with their progress maybe this would not happen. Electronic assessment system should analyze data, design individual learning plans for students, track student progress at grade and school level and identify student’s needs. As technology leader it is important to do extensive research to ensure and use technology resources to ensure data is collected and analyzed to improve student learning. **Reference ** Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants: Part 1. //On the Horizon,// 9(5), 1-6. Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants: Part 2. //On the Horizon,// 9(6), 1-9. Williamson, J. & Redish, T. (2009). //ISTE’s technology facilitation and leadership standards: What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do//. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education, pp. 57-99.