Throughout this course, AECT content standards have been a driving factor. Technology standards around design, development, and utilization have been at the core of the direction and strategy of each unit.
Development of a technology integration vision is integral to the design process. One must have a complete vision of the “why” and “how” of integration before the implementation of design. Determining the relative advantage to using technology over other strategy methods is a key element in developing a philosophical approach to designing classroom integration. Each unit of study within this course was designed to implement best practices of instructional theory and design, targeted at specific groups of learners with a standards driven learning outcome.
The following is a list of course projects with links and the standards they address:
Vision Statement
Relative Advantage of Instructional Software
- 1.1 Instructional Design Systems
- 1.1.1 Analyzing: process of defining what is to be learned and the context in which it is to be learned.
- 1.2 Message Design
- 1.3 Instructional Strategies
Network Project
- 1.2 Message Design
- 1.3 Instructional Strategies
- 2.2 Audiovisual Technologies
- 2.3 Computer-Based Technologies
- 2.4 Integrated Technologies
- 3.1 Media Utilization
Instructional Software
- 1.2 Message Design
- 2.3 Computer-Based Technologies
- 2.4 Integrated Technologies
- 3.1 Media Utilization
Interactive Presentation
- 1.1 Instructional Systems Design (ISD)
- 1.3 Instructional Strategies
- 2.3 Computer-Based Technologies
- 3.1 Media Utilization
Spreadsheets and Databases
- 1.1 Instructional Systems Design (ISD)
- 2.3 Computer-Based Technologies
- 2.4 Integrated Technologies
- The design of a spreadsheet or database driven lesson combines computer-based and integration technologies.
Social Media for Instruction
- 1.1 Instructional Systems Design (ISD)
- 2.3 Computer-Based Technologies
- 2.4 Integrated Technologies
- 3.2 Diffusion of Innovations
Internet Safety
- 1.1 Instructional Systems Design (ISD)
- 1.4 Learner Characteristics
- 2.3 Computer-Based Technologies
- 2.4 Integrated Technologies
- 3.2 Diffusion of Innovations
Video Enhanced Lesson
- 1.1 Instructional Systems Design (ISD)
- 1.3 Instructional Strategies
- 2.3 Computer-Based Technologies
- 3.1 Media Utilization
Content Areas
Language Arts Social Studies Art, Music. PE English Language Learners
- 1.1 Instructional Systems Design (ISD)
- 1.2 Message Design
- 1.3 Instructional Strategies
- 1.4 Learner Characteristics
- 2.2 Audiovisual Technologies
- 2.3 Computer-Based Technologies
- 2.4 Integrated Technologies
- 3.1 Media Utilization
- 3.2 Diffusion of Innovations
Adaptive/Assistive Technology
- 1.1 Instructional Systems Design (ISD)
- 1.3 Instructional Strategies
- 1.4 Learner Characteristics
- 2.1 Print Technologies
- 2.2 Audiovisual Technologies
- 2.3 Computer-Based Technologies
- 2.4 Integrated Technologies
- 3.1 Media Utilization
In working towards the conceptual framework of a professional educator as stated by the college, this course has allowed me to understand more fully the theoretical approach to technology integration for educating all learners, no matter their age, learning style or disability. The material for study and the development of relevant technology integration projects have helped me to better “create environments that prepare learners to be citizens who contribute to a complex world”. The development and study of tech implementation strategies that engage learners in content has been an integral part of this course, moreover, these strategies also serve to help students, “understand the implications of technology in today’s society”. The main thrust of this course for me has been building skills to develop strategies that help students learn how to use technology to become better thinkers and life-long learners.
Another benefit for me professionally has been the detailed look at integration in content areas other than my own. Developing strategies for tech integration into curriculum across all content areas is a personal goal for me in my career path with the intent of sharing a sound theoretical approach and effective strategies with teachers and administration. Considering the relative advantage of integration strategies I have found especially valuable. Using this approach with my own work and sharing the value of considering why you use technology in a given educational setting validates the process.
References:
Boise State University. EdTech Department: http://edtech.boisestate.edu
Blog Entries: Self Evaluation
- Vision Statement
This blog entry is a comprehensive look at my personal vision for technology integration, supported by several external sources.
Ranking: Outstanding
- Relative Advantage of Instructional Software
This blog entry outlines the relative advantage of instructional software in the classroom. My findings are supported by external resources and a multimedia Glog that gives specific examples of instructional software available for computer and tablet.
Ranking: Outstanding
- Spreadsheets and Databases
This blog entry examines the relative advantage of the use of these applications in education, including their ability to save time, contain and display a large amount of information and to quickly see the results of variables to a result.
Ranking: Proficient
- Social Networking and Walled Gardens
“Censorship, in the guise of protection, is evident throughout history when governments or religious organizations have controlled the flow of information or eliminated the expression of perceived subversive ideas, usually with the intent of suppressing dissent.” This blog entry examines my personal view of the value of social networks and the concept of “protecting” students from internet content.
Ranking: Outstanding
- Internet Applications via the class Voicethread
This blog outlines my personal views on using internet applications in the classroom. “…to ignore the capabilities of the Internet for gathering information, sharing resources, engaging students, communication, solving problems, building artifacts, and exploration is a disservice to students and does not prepare them for life in the world outside of school.” This entry includes a narrative on some of the ways in which I currently use the internet in my teaching and also has a link to the class voicethread on this topic.
Ranking: Outstanding
- Video Blog
This blog entry has a link to a video version of the text and is about the integration of video in the classroom. The entry discusses the use of video as an instructional tool, but also as a method for students to use in preparing artifacts of learning such as video documentaries.
Ranking: Outstanding
- Integrating Technology Into the Content Area
I believe this entry represents my best blog work for this course. I detail relative advantage and specific integration strategies for all content areas using external resources and my personal experience.
Ranking: Outstanding
- Obstacles and Solutions for Integrating Technology Into the Content Area
This blog entry addresses some of the problems with technology integration in content areas such as equal access for all, and security issues and includes a link to a screencast presentation that addresses technology integration strategies and solutions for English Language Learners.
Ranking: Outstanding
- Assistive Technologies
This blog entry outlines the accessibility capability of my Macbook Pro and was written in conjunction with the unit on adaptive and assistive technologies.
Ranking: Proficient
Overall Blog Assessment
- Content 70/75
- Readings and Resources 33/35
- Timeliness 25/25
- Responses to other students 28/30
- Total 156/165