Hi! I am a sophomore at the University of Cincinnati, studying Early Childhood Education. I have wanted to be a teacher since I can remember. I would always teach my little sisters lessons on my dry erase board in my bedroom, when I was younger. My dad, who is a teacher, told me that he wanted me to do something better with my life. I ignored my passion for teaching and decided to go into Nursing. After two quarters, I was depressed and did not even realize that I was in my major for the wrong reasons. Everybody wanted me to be a nurse, so I became a nurse. But once I shut out what everyone was saying to me, I realized that I never wanted to be a nurse, and that I never stopped wanting to be a teacher. After much thought and consideration, I decided to go back to my original dream and become a teacher. Now that I am in education, I feel things “clicking” and making sense. I know now that I am in the right major. I love and adore kids, so I know that I want to work with them. I would prefer to teach first or second grade, but I would be happy to teach any grade through K-3.
I am going to be 20 years old, next week, October 2. I am the oldest of four kids. I have a brother, Kelly who is 18, a senior in high school. He is really into playing water polo, and he will probably play in college. Kelly, being the only boy in our family has a sensitive side, but is very athletic and funny. My sister Abby is 14 years old, and she is a freshman in high school. Abby is talented in every sport that she plays. But she is dedicated to Soccer, Swimming, and Softball. Abby has a spunky personality, she is very loud, outgoing, and can be a handful. My youngest sister Maureen is 12 years old, and she is in seventh grade. Maureen is a great competitive swimmer, and she loves to play volleyball. Maureen has a very genuine and kind personality. She is fun being around. My Mom, Jackie is 44 years old. She stays at home and baby-sits teacher's kids. She is a very crafty lady, and has the biggest heart. My Dad, Mark is almost 50 years old. He is a physical education teacher at Mason High School (where I went to high school), coaches swimming and water polo. My Dad is a very nurturing man, but also very level headed, humble, talented, and extremely hard working. I have two dogs: Omar is a black lab, and Henry is a brown lab.
I live in Mason, Ohio. I have lived in Mason for 17 years. I went to Mason City Schools from Kindergarten to Twelfth Grade. I love to scrapbook, organize, clean, watch movies, shop, and have fun with my friends, and hang out with my boyfriend.
ISTE Standards:
I. Technology Operations and Concepts
Teachers demonstrate a sound understanding of technology operation and concepts. Teachers:
a.) demonstrate introductory knowledge, skills, and understanding of concepts related to technology (as described in the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards for Students).
My example for this standard would be that when we presented our lesson plan, we as teachers needed to know how to use the technology that we were presenting to our class. I needed to know prior to the lesson how to make a crossword using excel and how to make a jeopardy game using powerpoint. Using my introductory skills with technology, I was able to accurately give the lesson.
II. Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences
Teachers plan and design effective learning environments and experiences supported by technology. Teachers: c.) identify and locate technology resources and evaluate them for accuracy and suitability
An example for this standard is when we looked up different websites given and investigated to see if they were accurate or not. It was really interesting to see how people actually make up websites that are filled with inaccurate information. The website that I investigated was this website about an island to send your dog. The disclaimer said that this island was not real and to not send your dog here. The directions to get to this island were confusing and made no sense. It was funny to even see that someone would take the time to make this up. As teachers, we need to make sure that the information we are giving our students is accurate, and that the websites that we are using are credible.
III. Teaching, Learning, and the Curriculum
Teachers implement curriculum plans that include methods and strategies for applying technology to maximize student learning.
Teachers: b.) use technology to support learner-centered strategies that address the diverse needs of students.
The lesson that I used to demonstrate how to enhance learning by using technology is my lesson solving math problems using a graphing calculator. The students are taught how to use the graphing calculator, to solve math problems, which the teacher demonstrates how to do so on the projector screen.
IV. Assessment and Evaluation
Teachers apply technology to facilitate a variety of effective assessment and evaluation strategies.
Teachers: a.) apply technology in assessing student learning of subject matter using a variety of assessment techniques.
With this standard I found that when I used technology to asses student learning was when I created a rubric. With the rubric assignment, we chose a topic that we wanted to assess, I chose independent reading for elementary students. I wanted to grade the students on different parts of reading independently. For example, how well the student understands the story, being aware of punctuation, and many other things that pertain to reading independently. Then they are given a score 1-5 based on how well they did independently reading. This use of technology assesses the student learning of subject matter.
Teachers use technology to enhance their productivity and professional practice.
Teachers: d.) use technology to communicate and collaborate with peers, parents, and the larger community to nurture student learning.
For this standard I would use wikispaces for my example. I have never heard of this website and I did not know if I would like it. After using it many times and seeing the use for it and how helpful it is, I have begun to really like it. It is a useful tool especially when I did not know what exactly was expected for the standards assignment, I could just look at another classmate's work and it helped me understand what I needed to do. I'm a very visual person, so when I see what needs to be done, it's easier for me to do it. I like being able to see all of the lesson plan ideas that are on wikispaces. Making our own textbook is going to become helpful when I need lesson plans in the future.
VI. Social, Ethnical, Legal, and Human Issues
Teachers understand the social, ethical, legal, and human issues surrounding the use of technology in PK-12 schools and apply those principles in practice.
Teachers: b.) Apply technology resources to enable and empower learners with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, and abilities.
With this standard I found a lesson in our textbook that I thought best represents doing an activity relating to diverse backgrounds. I think it is a good idea to use Anne Frank for an activity, to not only use technology but a bit of history and diversity in the same activity.
Final Reflection:
I learned so many things from this class. I never realized how much technology could be used as a tool in teaching. I now know how to implement technology into the classroom if I have it, and how to "make do" if I do not have technology. I enjoyed learning about easier ways to make things; rubric, test/quiz, lesson plan, crossword, and a powerpoint. I never realized how many tools there were out there for teachers.
I enjoyed wikispaces a whole lot more than I thought I would. I didn't really understand what I would be doing with it in the beginning. But I have really used it as a tool for this class. Anytime I had a question, I could look at other classmate's page to know how to do something. I am going to use wikispaces when I start teaching to take lesson plans from.
I overall learned a great deal from Computer Tools for Teachers, and I think that it will benefit me tremendously in the future with my teaching.
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Hi! I am a sophomore at the University of Cincinnati, studying Early Childhood Education. I have wanted to be a teacher since I can remember. I would always teach my little sisters lessons on my dry erase board in my bedroom, when I was younger. My dad, who is a teacher, told me that he wanted me to do something better with my life. I ignored my passion for teaching and decided to go into Nursing. After two quarters, I was depressed and did not even realize that I was in my major for the wrong reasons. Everybody wanted me to be a nurse, so I became a nurse. But once I shut out what everyone was saying to me, I realized that I never wanted to be a nurse, and that I never stopped wanting to be a teacher. After much thought and consideration, I decided to go back to my original dream and become a teacher. Now that I am in education, I feel things “clicking” and making sense. I know now that I am in the right major. I love and adore kids, so I know that I want to work with them. I would prefer to teach first or second grade, but I would be happy to teach any grade through K-3.
I am going to be 20 years old, next week, October 2. I am the oldest of four kids. I have a brother, Kelly who is 18, a senior in high school. He is really into playing water polo, and he will probably play in college. Kelly, being the only boy in our family has a sensitive side, but is very athletic and funny. My sister Abby is 14 years old, and she is a freshman in high school. Abby is talented in every sport that she plays. But she is dedicated to Soccer, Swimming, and Softball. Abby has a spunky personality, she is very loud, outgoing, and can be a handful. My youngest sister Maureen is 12 years old, and she is in seventh grade. Maureen is a great competitive swimmer, and she loves to play volleyball. Maureen has a very genuine and kind personality. She is fun being around. My Mom, Jackie is 44 years old. She stays at home and baby-sits teacher's kids. She is a very crafty lady, and has the biggest heart. My Dad, Mark is almost 50 years old. He is a physical education teacher at Mason High School (where I went to high school), coaches swimming and water polo. My Dad is a very nurturing man, but also very level headed, humble, talented, and extremely hard working. I have two dogs: Omar is a black lab, and Henry is a brown lab.
I live in Mason, Ohio. I have lived in Mason for 17 years. I went to Mason City Schools from Kindergarten to Twelfth Grade. I love to scrapbook, organize, clean, watch movies, shop, and have fun with my friends, and hang out with my boyfriend.
ISTE Standards:
I. Technology Operations and Concepts
Teachers demonstrate a sound understanding of technology operation and concepts. Teachers:
a.) demonstrate introductory knowledge, skills, and understanding of concepts related to technology (as described in the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards for Students).
My example for this standard would be that when we presented our lesson plan, we as teachers needed to know how to use the technology that we were presenting to our class. I needed to know prior to the lesson how to make a crossword using excel and how to make a jeopardy game using powerpoint. Using my introductory skills with technology, I was able to accurately give the lesson.
II. Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences
Teachers plan and design effective learning environments and experiences supported by technology. Teachers: c.) identify and locate technology resources and evaluate them for accuracy and suitability
An example for this standard is when we looked up different websites given and investigated to see if they were accurate or not. It was really interesting to see how people actually make up websites that are filled with inaccurate information. The website that I investigated was this website about an island to send your dog. The disclaimer said that this island was not real and to not send your dog here. The directions to get to this island were confusing and made no sense. It was funny to even see that someone would take the time to make this up. As teachers, we need to make sure that the information we are giving our students is accurate, and that the websites that we are using are credible.
III. Teaching, Learning, and the Curriculum
Teachers implement curriculum plans that include methods and strategies for applying technology to maximize student learning.
Teachers: b.) use technology to support learner-centered strategies that address the diverse needs of students.
The lesson that I used to demonstrate how to enhance learning by using technology is my lesson solving math problems using a graphing calculator. The students are taught how to use the graphing calculator, to solve math problems, which the teacher demonstrates how to do so on the projector screen.
IV. Assessment and Evaluation
Teachers apply technology to facilitate a variety of effective assessment and evaluation strategies.
Teachers: a.) apply technology in assessing student learning of subject matter using a variety of assessment techniques.
With this standard I found that when I used technology to asses student learning was when I created a rubric. With the rubric assignment, we chose a topic that we wanted to assess, I chose independent reading for elementary students. I wanted to grade the students on different parts of reading independently. For example, how well the student understands the story, being aware of punctuation, and many other things that pertain to reading independently. Then they are given a score 1-5 based on how well they did independently reading. This use of technology assesses the student learning of subject matter.
V. Productivity and Professional Practice
Teachers use technology to enhance their productivity and professional practice.
Teachers: d.) use technology to communicate and collaborate with peers, parents, and the larger community to nurture student learning.
For this standard I would use wikispaces for my example. I have never heard of this website and I did not know if I would like it. After using it many times and seeing the use for it and how helpful it is, I have begun to really like it. It is a useful tool especially when I did not know what exactly was expected for the standards assignment, I could just look at another classmate's work and it helped me understand what I needed to do. I'm a very visual person, so when I see what needs to be done, it's easier for me to do it. I like being able to see all of the lesson plan ideas that are on wikispaces. Making our own textbook is going to become helpful when I need lesson plans in the future.
VI. Social, Ethnical, Legal, and Human Issues
Teachers understand the social, ethical, legal, and human issues surrounding the use of technology in PK-12 schools and apply those principles in practice.
Teachers: b.) Apply technology resources to enable and empower learners with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, and abilities.
With this standard I found a lesson in our textbook that I thought best represents doing an activity relating to diverse backgrounds. I think it is a good idea to use Anne Frank for an activity, to not only use technology but a bit of history and diversity in the same activity.
Final Reflection:
I learned so many things from this class. I never realized how much technology could be used as a tool in teaching. I now know how to implement technology into the classroom if I have it, and how to "make do" if I do not have technology. I enjoyed learning about easier ways to make things; rubric, test/quiz, lesson plan, crossword, and a powerpoint. I never realized how many tools there were out there for teachers.
I enjoyed wikispaces a whole lot more than I thought I would. I didn't really understand what I would be doing with it in the beginning. But I have really used it as a tool for this class. Anytime I had a question, I could look at other classmate's page to know how to do something. I am going to use wikispaces when I start teaching to take lesson plans from.
I overall learned a great deal from Computer Tools for Teachers, and I think that it will benefit me tremendously in the future with my teaching.