Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Technology in education easy
Technology in education easy
Background on technology in education
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Summative Statement
I did not set out to be a teacher nor did I set out to be a leader but today I am both a teacher and a leader in educational technology. Through my studies in the Educational Technology program at the University of Alaska Southeast I have created a solid foundation for that leadership role. My portfolio shows what I have learned in educational technology and my growth as a technology leader. Each artifact was chosen to emphasize what I believe is most important in education for me. They show my commitment to professional growth, my dedication in supporting student learning, and my belief in the strength of collaboration.
Early on in my career as a teacher I learned the value of professional growth for myself. This took the form of professional development that I gained from conferences I attended and grants I was awarded. I also knew that I could share what I learned with others within my school and presenting at conferences. As an educational technology leader I use the knowledge and skills gained from my university classes in providing professional develop...
Furthermore all schools have campus goals that they aim their professional development to align with those goals to improve and uphold the levels of teaching and learning. Professional development can be seen by all parties a necessity to continue to improve the school as a whole but at the same time, some see the professional development as something that is forced upon them in the form of in-service days and trainings that take away from their summer vacation days. The everlasting challenge is find ways to plan and achieve successful professional developments that all participants are eager to participate and implement in their instructional strategies and/or classroom management.
The types of professional development opportunities that he participated in have allowed him to grow as a teacher. In addition to professional development workshops, teachers can continue to improve their teaching by simply listening to and observing their students. Based on the feedback they get from students and the observations they make, they can adjust their teaching methods accordingly. Implementing this system in their classroom can benefit them and their
For my professional learning community (PLC) experience, I decided to visit a meeting outside of my school district and reached out to a friend who works in my local school district. I am friends with two of the former members of the history department at this school. Through them, I have heard of the collaboration that they participated in when they were still on site. This one small branch of a history department has produced a nationally bestselling author, one of the strongest district instructional technology directors in the county, and a member of the leadership team of a local educational technology (edtech) organization. I asked one of my friends to help arrange an observation of this strong PLC and I was not disappointed.
In preparing 21st-century students for life beyond the classroom, educators must reevaluate what and how they teach and tailor this to the individual needs of the student. Educators must bring technology into learning to engage, motivate, and inspire their students become achievers (Spires, Lee, Turner, & Johnson, 2008). Indeed this is happening now, a lot more technology is utilized with classroom instruction, and teachers are being encouraged to use instructional technology in their lessons (Ayas, 2006; Yucel, Acun, Tarman, & Mete, 2010).
It is essential to take ownership of your career and its continuing professional development, because of this ever changing market environment as you may no longer be able to depend on your employers to identify and satisfy your development necessity. The impact of such changes has increased the demands on professionals to maintain documentary evidence of their continued competence; because of the swift technology advancement in organisations. It is very important developing a personal portfolio of your professional activities and their relevance to your current job and your continued career as well as future ambitions.
I am an ambassador for my school, continually promoting the positive learning experiences happening on our campus through social media. I believe my ability to network through various social media outlets is one aspect that makes me a strong teacher leader. I am not only encouraging collaboration among teachers on my campus, but through the use of social networks, I am fostering collaboration on the national level. Additionally, I model life long learning by continually seeking opportunities to deepen my content knowledge and pedagogical expertise. Obtaining my masters degree is just one example of how I have been pursuing ongoing learning. I frequently share the knowledge I have gained through this experience with teachers as a way to encourage them to continually seek new learning opportunities. Perhaps the most important quality I possess, and the one that will make me an effective teacher leader, is my gift of public speaking. I have this innate ability to command a room. Many people say I got this trait from my father, and I must say, being an instructional coach and conducting professional development weekly, it has definitely come in
Teachers and administrators who routinely develop their own knowledge and skills model for students that learning is important and useful,” (Mizell, 2010). Typically, students learn best when they are engaged and find interest in the material taught. As noted earlier in this response, I was excited, but eager to learn about how to appropriately handle a lockdown situation should one occur. Just as students learn when they find purpose and meaning in learning, adults function very similarly. Professional developments should seek to meet the needs of all teachers, administrators, or staff members. Despite the fact that this may seem difficult in larger districts, priorities need to be set higher to differentiate professional developments just as teachers are expected to differentiate within our classrooms. Because our district is so small, we are fortunate enough to have money set aside so teachers can utilize the finances to attend local, regional, state-wide, or national conferences relevant to one’s content area, grade level(s), and interests. I understand this is unique; however, it seems appropriate that these sessions are tailored to benefit the classroom instruction. This classroom instruction, we provide to our students, should be geared towards 21st century education that prepares them college or a career. Supported in Mizell’s article, Why Professional Development Matters, “effective teaching is the result of study, reflection, practice, and hard work. A teacher can never know enough about how a student learns, what impedes the student’s learning, and how the teacher’s instruction can increase the student’s learning,” (Mizell, 2010). He additionally supports this with the indication that students learn more if teachers are occupied by superior conferences that allow them to acquire much
It is my belief that great teachers result in great students. There are many ways that teachers can have a positive influence on their students and co-workers. In order to be the best educator I can be, I feel that it is my responsibility to take part in continuing education trainings as well as to collaborate with my fellow educators. It is important to remember that technology is always changing. Therefore, I must immerse myself in what is new and current to better the lives and education of my students. Ongoing professional development keeps me up-to-date on the latest findings of how children learn, emerging technology tools for the classroom, and new curriculum resources (Lebeau, 2008). And, I know I need to be proactive in my own continuing
...nt school. In L. Darling-Hammond (Ed.), Professional development schools: Schools for developing a profession (pp.56-80). New York: Teachers College Press.
Professional development refers to a lifelong, systematic process whereby individuals and teams of individuals collective and collaborative learn by doing and working together to analyze and impact professional practices and procedures to improve student achievement through a daily job-embedded, learner-centered, focused approach. The purpose of professional development is to strategically and systematically increase student achievement through the implementation of a rigorous and relevant curriculum. A well-devised professional development system enhances classroom practices and procedures to prepare students for college and career readiness. Professional development, with a focus on researched-based strategies, is the key component for
Education is big business. Many educational resource companies are constantly developing new ideas and technologies that will revolutionize education. It is the responsibility of the instructional leader to determine which new trend will complement the school’s vision. The instructional leader needs to consider if the trend will reinforce the short and long-term goals of the school. The instructional leader should seek the input of teachers. This is an essential step in the process, since teacher will be the individuals responsible for implementing the new trend.
...Technology professional development: Successful strategies for teacher change. (Report No. EDD00131). Washington D.C.: Institute of Education Sciences. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. Ed 477616)
Develop teaching expertise is the part of proposition from NBPTS, specifically knowing the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students (1987). One of the methods is continue to pursue their professional development by joining a professional association or organization, attending a workshop, and reading a professional journal, website, or books. These ideas enhance teachers’ cognitive growth by enlarge information of the latest strategies or method, enhance cognitive growth, and learning to help the teachers to become expert in their teaching and influence on student learning.
When instructional leaders are supportive and encouraging to teachers, allowing for risk-taking and possibly failing at times, teachers are more likely to persevere and work towards achieving a level of comfort and knowledge in order to use technology with their students. Brockmeir, Sermon and Hope (2005) stated the, “The principal’s disposition influences the implementation of an innovation and the magnitude of fidelity with which it is implemented; therefore, principals, too are at the center of achieving the promise of technology by facilitating its integration to transform teaching and learning” (p.47).
Mission Statement: As an educator I will provide for students the opportunity to make a positive difference in their lives to help them accomplish unexpected goals. I will enhance learning to support my students in achieving their highest potential by integrating technology into the curriculum. I will integrate conceptual technology learning techniques that will implement concrete knowledge of technology that will emphasize mastery of understanding. Through committed support from educators, faculty, staff, parents, and the community, I will advance learning to support my students. This will allow students to become confident, creative, motivated, technology-ready students. I will provide leadership to achieve these standards of excellence each student deserves for a technology driven society.