Teachers implement curriculum plans, that include methods and strategies for applying technology to maximize student learning. Teachers:

A. facilitate technology-enhanced experiences that address content standards and student technology standards.

In my sixth grade science class there are so many Grade Level Expectations to cover in a year, I do not have time to stray from my curriculum. This means everything I do in class has to relate to a GLE in some way. I use technology to help with this in the WebQuest I created about Endangered Species. On the teacher page I have shown which GLE's it relates to. In Introduction to Technology in Schools, I planned a lesson, and used it in my classroom, that incorporated technology (TILP) and directly addressed content standards.

B. use technology to support learner-centered strategies that address the diverse needs of students.

I use my LCD projector to address the needs of learners when giving notes or displaying information. I always show notes on the screen for my visual learners as well as print them off for my students who are not able to write appropriately. Another way I can address the diverse needs of students is by using software programs such as Spell-It. Spell-It is a handheld program I use to accommodate my learners who need extra practice with spelling or vocabulary. I can type in the spelling list or vocabulary words for the week and students can do Word Jumbles (scrambled letters) or practice quizzes.

C. apply technology to develop students' higher order skills and creativity.

Sometimes I find it harder to assess higher order thinking skills in the classroom without repeating the same method over and over. I use a few WebQuests throughout the year which require students to use higher order thinking skills and creativity. The Sound and Light WebQuest I use makes students analyze information researched to find a solution to real-life problems. I like this WebQuest because it shows students how the very abstract concepts of waves, sound, and light are actually used in very practical ways. They also have to be fairly creative to solve the problems using only a limited amount of resources and time. Recently, I created a PowerPoint assessment of properties and changes of matter. It requires students to answer questions in an essay format to assess their true knowledge of the topic. Constructed response type questions like these assess higher order thinking skills.

D. manage student learning activities in a technology-enhanced environment.

I have a classroom with student twelve computers. Since all of my classes have more than twelve students I had to find a way to manage the computer use. Each of my computers is labeled with a different letter and the chairs in my classroom are numbered. Students are assigned to a particular seat at a particular computer. Each day one of the students is to log onto the computer designated by their chair numbers. Even numbers login on "red" days and odd number login on "blue" days. I also had the custodians arrange the room by placing counter tops along the walls for the computers so that all students can see the projector screen and I can see their computer screens as well. Being able to see the student monitors from anywhere in my room allows me manage student activities in my classroom as well as better manage student safety when using the Internet.