Zach Paul's ePortfolio
ISTE-Standards
1. Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity: Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.
a. Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness
b. Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources
c. Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students’ conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes
d. Model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments
Evidence 1: Instructional Video
For this instructional video, I used Screencast-o-matic and WeVideo to teach my students about celestial objects. The students are able to watch the video from home, which shows that I engage in learning with students in virtual environments. Although the students can see my face, I needed to be engaging in order to make sure that the learning was as effective as it would have been in person. I also used my knowledge of the subject to facilitate online learning, which shows that I am capable of teaching an online course if needed.
Evidence 2: Inquiry Project (PBL)
For the inquiry project, I worked with a partner to come up with a problem-based learning topic and a driving question for our students to answer. Because I worked with another preservice teacher b using Google Docs, this shows that I am capable of collaborating with colleagues in face-to-face and virtual environments. This problem-based learning activity also demonstrates my desire to engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems that could benefit our school.
For this screencast, I used Screencast-o-matic to evaluate SpacePlace on NASA's website. I created this screencast to show students how to navigate the website, which corresponds to a celestial objects unit. During the screencast, I direct the students to different features by clicking on links and pointing with the mouse. My students can watch the video at home, so this shows that I am capable of communicating without students in a virtual environment. I could also use screencasting as an assignment for my students, which would require the students to reflect and review a website like I did.
2. Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments: Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the Standards•S.
a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity
b. Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress
c. Customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources
d. Provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards, and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching
For this assessment I used Plickers, which is an app that allows you to take pictures of student responses and collect them as data. I was able to provide my students with a summative assignment by using technology, rather than a traditional pen and paper exam. I also was able to organize the data efficiently, so I could adjust my teaching of the next unit based on the results. This also allowed students to use a personal device, which helps establish a technology-enriched learning environment in my classroom.
I created a student example of a claymation video by using the stop motion Lego Movie Maker app. For the project, students are asked to created a stop motion video, showing the life cycle of an animal. This shows that I am capable of designing learning experiences that incorporate digital tools to promote creativity. The students are able to use iPads to show their learning, rather than writing a report or drawing a diagram. This means I can appeal to different types of learners and address diverse learning styles through technology.
I edited my instructional video by using Edpuzzle to add in multiple choice and short answer questions. I can use Edpuzzle to assess my students' understanding of the content in the video, as well as ask for personal reflection. This involves engaging in virtual communication which could lead to in-class discussing the next day. The most beneficial aspect is that I am able to create an assessment, and integrate it into a preexisting video. This shows that I am able to develop digital age learning experiences, and assessments using technology.
3. Model digital age work and learning: Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society.
a. Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations
b. Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation
c. Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital age media and formats
d. Model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning
Evidence 1: Newsletter (Smore)
For this newsletter, I used Smore to create a flyer about an open house at school. I plan to use newsletters as a form of communication between myself and the students and their parents. This shows that I am able to use digital age media to communicate relevant information to students and parents. I could also print out copies of the newsletter, but using an online website allows me to edit an update with new information. I am able to adapt to new situations and inform students and parents, without causing panic.
I created an example of a calendar that I would use in my classroom, by using Google Calendar. This is another example of my ability to communicate information effectively to parents and students. I could also use this calendar to provide details about school or community events, which helps my collaboration with peers. I will include homework, assessments, and field trips on the calendar, so I can plan ahead and see what time I have available to other activities.
As stated before, I created a screencast for NASA's SpacePlace website by using Screencast-o-matic. While this screencast is used to demonstrate ISTE-T standard 1, I also believe it applies to ISTE-T standard 3. For the screencast, I directed students effectively and showed them how to navigate a new website. This demonstrates my ability to communicate relevant information to students by using technology. I also am able to facillitate student learning by directing them around a website through a video, rather than expecting the students to figure out where to go on their own.
4. Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility: Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices.
a. Advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources
b. Address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources
c. Promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information
d. Develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital age communication and collaboration tools
Evidence 1: Cyberbullying (PowToon)
For this video, I used PowToon to create an animated comic about the dangers of cyberbullying. I created this video to provide facts for my students about online safety, and PowToon is engaging for children. My awareness and willingness to discuss cyberbullying shows that I want to promote positive social interactions related to the use of technology. I am teaching my students about the ethical use of technology, and showing my students that it is important to be a responsible digital citizen.
Evidence 2: Technology Rules (Piktochart)
For this infographic, I used Piktochart to display my rules and expectations regarding technology use. I created an infographic about technology rules, because I plan to use one-to-one devices daily in my classroom. This shows that I want my students to use proper digital etiquette, by respecting the devices that they are using. By using a classroom set of devices, students are given equitable access to technology; however, if students bring in their own devices, I included a rule that they must share, which shows responsibility.
I created a Thinglink to add links to an image about Kidblog. The links direct students to websites, videos, and other information that helps them understand the original image. By providing students with specific links to go to, I can make sure that that the students are using the internet appropriately and visiting ethical sites. The Thinglink can be accessed on any device, so the students who are absent can still find the information that was covered in class. This shows my desire to provide equitable access to appropriate tools and resources.
5. Engage in professional growth and leadership: Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources.
a. Participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning
b. Exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others
c. Evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning
d. Contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community
I used Storify to create an online blog of my favorite posts on Twitter. Storify allows you to view and comment on others' blogs, so this shows that I am willing to participate in local and global learning communities. Twitter itself allows me to retweet and share ideas that I find interesting or effective, so I can contribute to the teaching community. By sharing others' ideas, I can build professional relationships that are helpful online, but could also lead to other educational opportunities.
For my service learning project, I created activities and assessments for a current teacher to use in her classroom. I reached out to a teacher that I had previously helped in high school, so I was able to continue the professional relationship. This shows that I am interested in participating in my local learning community, but also contributing to the self-renewal of the teaching profession. I wanted to reconnect with a teacher that I knew previously, because it allows me to collaborate by sharing ideas that are beneficial to both of us.
I used OER Commons to share my inquiry project online. OER Commons is a digital library that allows teachers to publish their work online, so that other teachers can edit and use existing resources for free. By sharing my work with other teachers, I am contributing to the self-renewal of the teaching profession. I am also able to participate in the global learning community because I can collaborate with other educators. Rather than wasting time creating their own lesson plans, teachers should be able to work together and share resources, which is something that I believe I am good at.