Competency Area I:   TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS AND CONCEPTS
    Teachers demonstrate a sound understanding of technology operations and concepts.  Teachers:

Sub-Competency A

Demonstrate introductory knowledge, skills, and understanding of concepts related to technology (as described in the ISTE National Education Technology Standards for Students)

Evidence:  Technology Self-Appraisal
   This appraisal shows the basic levels skills that I now posess as a senior in college. 

Reflection  

   This self-appraisal was very helpful in helping me to understand the technology skills and concepts that I did not yet have good grasp of.  As an elementary education teacher I must demonstrate at least a basic understanding of the technological operations and concepts
that my students have and/or are expected to have.  As technology continues to rapidly develop, my skills must keep up and develop beyond this basic basic level.  This self-appraisal has given me an idea about where I stand in my knowledge of technological skills, operations, and concepts right now.  Through this appraisal I will be able to assess where I stand and determine the areas of my technological knowledge where improvement needs to be made.  From this appraisal and assessment I can then develop a plan of action for self-improvement that can then be implemented throughout my student teaching and first year of teaching.  It is during this time that I can strive and continue to strive to  improve my knowledge base in these areas where the self-appraisal determined there needed to be improvement. 


Sub-Competency B

Demonstrate continual growth in technology knowledge and skills to stay abreast of current and emerging technologies. 

Evidence: 


NC DPI:  Instructional Technology Division
http://www.ncwiseowl.org/Impact/div_it/
This web site lists workshop opportunities for teachers and media specialist already in the field.  Dates and descriptions of these workshops are given.

Internet 4 Classrooms:  Helping Teachers Use the Internet Effectively
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/on-line2.htm
This web site offers teachers in a K-12 classroom setting the opportunity to gain help in developing their skills in a variety of programs.  These include Microsoft Office programs, Microsoft Works, Word Perfect, various operating systems, and web page development.  Online tutorials are also offered on general applications such as Publisher, Photoshop, KidPix, Kidspiration, and Inspiration.  Tutorials are also available on how to develop your own web page and how to navigate the Internet. 

Reflection

     As teachers we expect our students to show continual growth in their learning.  We cannot hold ourselves to a lower standard especially in a field that is advancing as fast as technology.  Is is important that we as teachers stay up-to-date on the most current technological advances in programs and software that is available, especially the software that could potentially have an impact on the K-12 classroom.  There are many ways that teachers can stay up-to-date on emerging technology, but two of them are workshops and mentioning opportunities in one's local area and through online tutorials.  Through workshops that are offered through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and other organizations, like the one above, I as a teacher will be able to continue to expand my knowledge of what the current technology is and where it is going.  I will then be able to bring back what I have learned at these workshops and apply it to my classroom and my instruction to impact the learning of my students in a positive way.  Through these workshops I will also be able to keep the skills that I have current and learn about the advances in the programs and software for which I already possess skills.  Online tutorials can be of great benefit to teachers.  The web site link above offers a wide variety of tutorials for programs that a K-12 teacher would potentially use in his or her classroom.  These tutorials would offer a quick way to access information on how to operate a program or how to show a student how to operate a specific program if the teacher was unfamiliar with that particular program.  This is an important resources for teachers to use when trying to stay up-to-date with all of the many programs that are on the market.  There is no way we can no them all, but online tutorials offer a quick introduction on how to use them.




Page Author:  Kelley Haney
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