Some of the texts that have been used for various courses have helped me tremendously. E-Learning: Concepts and Practice (Holmes and Gardner, 2006) is one such book. This book exposed me to so many new concepts of learning such as the creation of e-communities, and communal constructivism. Teaching and Learning with Technology (Lever-Duffy, McDonald, Mizell, 2003) is another. This book was a great resource of how to incorporate technology in the classroom. Specifically, I found the use of and incorporation of video technology to be quite interesting. Another resource that I can use would be a paper that I wrote for EDU-577 which is a five year tech plan, Appendix S. This plan allows me to look forward to what I hope education and technology will look like in school systems.
Internet technology has allowed me instant access to the websites that I frequent most. CT Fitness Assessment allows me instant access to the website that I use when testing my students for the State required physical fitness assesment. The CT State Department of Education is another major tool that I use to access anything from teacher certification renewals to coaching permits.
My growth has also allowed me to do all of my grades, plans, and most of my communication through email. Right now I have four different email accounts for communication with different aspects of my life. I now do all my student grades on gradequick or excel spreadsheets PE grades 2009, as well as all of my substitute plans in word documents Sub Plans. In the early stages of my teaching career these tasks were done with paper and pencil. Another task that I would do with paper and pencil were my documents for field day. These documents were previously very hard to read, filled with errors, and took many hours to change and correct. Now I spend a few minutes each year changing a few things that I can print in a matter of minutes. This process has saved me a tremendous amount of time when it comes to preparing for field day activities. Attached are links to my field day stations(Appendix P) and field day activities times (Appendix Q).
Technology has helped me grow as a teacher and has allowed me to save valuable time that used to be taken up by tasks that did not involve technology. Since being involved in this program I continue to learn and use new technology each day. I was once afraid to use technology but now I look forward to using it. Technology has brought me so far along in my career, that my professional goal for 2008-2009 was to add technology to the classroom (See Appendix O).
Connecticut State Department of Education. (2008) SDE: Approved courses for 5 year renewable coaching permits. Retrieved May 28th, 2009 from http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2613&q=321388.
Connecticut State Department of Education. (2000) The second generation Connecticut physical fitness assessment. Retrieved on September 4, 2008 from http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2618&q=320980.
Costantino, P. and De Lorenzo, M. (2006) Developing a Professional Teaching Portfolio: A Guide for Success. Boston MA: Pearson Education Inc.
Education World. (2005). New Skills in New Schools: Preparing Teachers in Family Involvement. Retrieved September 4th, 2008 from http://www.education-world.com/
Holmes, B. and Gardner, J. Editors. (2006) E-Learning: concepts and practice. London: Sage Publications.
Lever-Duffy, J McDonald, JB and Mizell, Al. Editors. (2003) Teaching and Learning with Technology. Pearson Education, Inc.
Guiding Question 2
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Guiding Question 6
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