Step 1. Assess yourself according to the competencies listed in the NETS 2008 document. You do not need to go through the list point by point, but you must reflect upon your own skill and confidence in using learning technologies in your teaching.
I design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assessments by:
• Including my students in learning how to present with an interactive whiteboard (IWB). Thus, my IWB is not only for me to use – but my class.
• Meeting up with fellow collegues who also have IWBs and discussing the various ways that we have utilized it.
• Planning to incorporate personal response systems (PRS or clickers) in September 2009 to assist in receiving immediate feedback from students to check for understanding of content.
I inspire and facilitate student learning and creativity by:
• Being mindful of what the students are experiencing in the real world and thus trying to provide/share/present/teach them with meaningful approaches and lessons in which they can hopefully relate to.
• Trying to always design or include at least one critical thinking activity that has them thinking – “How can I apply it to my life now or in the future?”
• Incorporating (as much as possible) – video clips (e.g. BrainPop) to intro. or support content and/or activities. Therefore, students may have a springboard to use for their own thoughts/designs/ideas/learning.
• Having a balance between knowing when to be more firm and when to be more relaxed – reading and trying to understand the situation that the students are in – and reacting appropriately. Building a mutual respect between student and teacher.
I model digital-age work and learning by:
• Updating my class on my UBC MET journey. Telling them what I’m learning and how I am doing. Reminding them that learning is a lifetime activity.
• Sending out weekly emails to their parents about what’s happening in class. Also, updating our class portal daily so that they know what is assigned and due.
• Using the classroom IWB everyday.
I engage in professional growth and leadership by:
• Working towards completing the UBC MET degree.
• Helping others implement new or current technology in the school. Whether it be setting up a laptop/projector combo or using a software program we have at the school.
• Taking on the role of the grade 6 science and outdoor education coordinator at our school.
• Attending professional development opportunities that cater towards my current roles as a teacher at Pacific Academy.
Step 2. We would also like you to reflect upon how you might inform your own learning goals in ETEC 565, in light of the competencies listed in the NETS. How can ETEC 565 help you to become a digital-age teaching professional? What are the key skills and approaches that you feel you need to develop to meet your goals?
My objectives for this course are:
• To further my knowledge and application of new or improved approaches in learning environments that are technology-based.
• Maybe having the chance to learn how to use PRSs effectively and efficiently. On that same note, how to better use IWBs.
• Being one of the last courses I am taking, I would love to see what I have learned in the previous MET courses be utilized to help me as an educator better “select, design, and apply learning technologies” (title of our 565 course) in the classroom.