6.1 Continuous Learning
Candidates demonstrate continual growth in knowledge and skills of current and emerging technologies and apply them to improve personal productivity and professional practice.
Artifact:
Reflection:
I researched this artifact in my Multimedia class ITEC 7445. I have always been fascinated with iPads, and not having one of my own, I wanted to know more about educational applications of iPads in the classroom setting. This paper discusses the way many schools are using iPads in all grade levels to assist with all content areas. This technology is especially good for ELL students and students with learning disabilities, as I discovered in my research.
This Emerging Technologies artifact demonstrates mastery of Standard 6.1, because I have been able to see the process I have gone through in learning about iPads, acquiring an iPad of my own, and using the iPad to assist me in helping teachers as their Academic Coach. In essence, I have demonstrated my knowledge and skills in iPad technology, and I have used it to improve my personal productivity and my professional practice. I now use my iPad to assess how teachers are doing on a Google survey, so that I can show my principal trends in how lessons are being taught throughout the building. I also use my iPad to give instant feedback to the teachers I visit on a daily basis. They appreciate it, and I like being able to serve teachers in this capacity.
I feel I chose an excellent topic for my emerging technology research; however, if I had this project to do over again, would have liked to have done a little more research on future prospects for iPads. Since my initial research, Apple has gone through two more iterations of the iPad, and I would have liked to have included some predictions of the direction I might have seen Apple going with their iPad technology. Interestingly, nowadays, iPads are not the “emerging technology” they were just two years ago. Perhaps I could have chosen a more “cutting edge” technology to research instead. I think it is interesting to note the speed with which technology changes, and experiencing that has been really good for me. I used to be somewhat afraid of technology because of its voracity. I am happy to say that this is no longer the case.
This artifact, as it turns out, has impacted school improvement and teacher development in striking ways. Because I have a mechanism with which to hold teachers accountable, they are more likely to do what has been asked of them. Because teachers are implementing best practices in their classrooms, our CRCT scores have improved over time. Because of this research I did early on, we have since also invested in two iPad classrooms with some of our Title I money. This is a direct result of my research in emerging technologies!
This Emerging Technologies artifact demonstrates mastery of Standard 6.1, because I have been able to see the process I have gone through in learning about iPads, acquiring an iPad of my own, and using the iPad to assist me in helping teachers as their Academic Coach. In essence, I have demonstrated my knowledge and skills in iPad technology, and I have used it to improve my personal productivity and my professional practice. I now use my iPad to assess how teachers are doing on a Google survey, so that I can show my principal trends in how lessons are being taught throughout the building. I also use my iPad to give instant feedback to the teachers I visit on a daily basis. They appreciate it, and I like being able to serve teachers in this capacity.
I feel I chose an excellent topic for my emerging technology research; however, if I had this project to do over again, would have liked to have done a little more research on future prospects for iPads. Since my initial research, Apple has gone through two more iterations of the iPad, and I would have liked to have included some predictions of the direction I might have seen Apple going with their iPad technology. Interestingly, nowadays, iPads are not the “emerging technology” they were just two years ago. Perhaps I could have chosen a more “cutting edge” technology to research instead. I think it is interesting to note the speed with which technology changes, and experiencing that has been really good for me. I used to be somewhat afraid of technology because of its voracity. I am happy to say that this is no longer the case.
This artifact, as it turns out, has impacted school improvement and teacher development in striking ways. Because I have a mechanism with which to hold teachers accountable, they are more likely to do what has been asked of them. Because teachers are implementing best practices in their classrooms, our CRCT scores have improved over time. Because of this research I did early on, we have since also invested in two iPad classrooms with some of our Title I money. This is a direct result of my research in emerging technologies!