Journal+Reflection+Module+1

=JOURNAL REFLECTIONS Module 1: NETS=

**//Reflection Prompt://**
How has your knowledge of technology standards changed after this module ? Reflect on your own use of technology standards in your classroom and personal use.

I read the //National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers and National EducationalTechnology Standards for Students //, second edition. The rubrics were listed for each standard and showed a progression for each indicator from Beginning, Developing,Proficient to Tranformative. The sceanrios focused on Proficient level and had an insert box for Transformative. Artifacts are a way to demonstrate each competency level along with reflections of how they fit the learning experiences which allow for assessing them.
 * Description**:

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As I read the standards, I realized that I do, because of being in Special Education, incorporate levels of learning, interest, and lately choices for the students to demonstrate their understanding of the concept. The first two levels of Beginning and Developing are starting to be addressed in lessons. As I read through, I could picture when and where we were meeting these but the artifacts were another story. We had them but I don't think that they were really clear in stating how to use the technology and technology tools. We have multi-grade classrooms with multi-disabiltities as well asdifferent learning styles. Adding Instructor notes to Teacher Guides would help to clarify what is expected. This would be a good place to encourage expanding the lesson to reach Proficient and maybe Transformative level for some teachers. Listing it this way would encourage teachers and students, once comfortable, to reach further. We need to get the students more involved and find technology tools to support each student to reach their true ability. Their disability can be compenstated for, maybe not by one tool, in reaching criteria for 21st Century learner and citizen. The idea listed with the students collaboating and being part of their own learning is hard with students who have given up on education. They need to be reintroduced to the idea that they need these competencies to live in the over changing world. They need to now that they can access tools to accomplish this. These standards reinforced my ideas as I took the time to really read and picture them in our class lessons by using the scenarios as a jumping off point. I can see where our gaps are and where I and other teachers will need support. Collaboratives with teachers and students will incorporate everyone strengths and bridge weaknesses.=====

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Slow steps will work with my classes and then expanding to other teachers. I am encouraging the use of lessons that are already designed since the teachers are not content specialist. We can go over the best way to instruct our stuents and them to the guides. Then the teacher and I need to look at technology and the tools availbable and decide which will best fit our students learning disabilities. This will allow lessons to be flexible from year to year and give the students choices that won't frustrate them. I will go back over what we have developed and add technology tools and their purpose to Teacher Guides or through Instructor Notes. I will add websites or documents and explain their purpose so that teachers can allow students some choices. Once I have a before and ater lesson, I will demonstrate this to the teachers and see what they need in skills or competency in order to collaborate on other lessons. If we get to a point of being able to break into groups and all follow the standards, we will increase our effectiveness and observe the learning progress in our students. The best evidence will be in seeing the students engaged and motivated to learn or design their own learning.=====