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. Teachers:

    a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations.

This year, I was chosen as a pilot teacher for using a SMART board in my classroom. My students were able to witness my learning a new technology and transferring much of what I knew to this new technology.

In addition to the SMART board, I have been introduced to many new technologies. Below are some examples of new technologies that I have used during the year.

• Digital Imaging Project ~ Photoshop C4
• Concept Map ~ Inspiration
• Cooking Around the World Wiki ~ Wikispaces
• Bookshare-Franklin ~Wikispaces
• Digital Audio Project ~ Audacity

    b. collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.

One way that I have grown throughout this program is in my ability to collaborate. In order to collaborate with students and teachers across the country, I set up a wiki called Cooking Around the World. The students from the various classrooms around the country submitted a recipe that was both indicative of their family's culture, and special to them in some way. We enjoyed sharing our recipes, and reading and learning about others. In addition, in order to collaborate with colleagues in Franklin, I set up a wiki called Bookshare Franklin. This wiki will allow teachers to share information about children's books. I hope that we will be able to develop a large list of books that are great (and not so great) reads. Finally, my class website was designed to share information regarding the happenings in my class. This allows me to communicate with parents and community members, and the email links allow for collaboration as appropriate.

    c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats.

During the past school year, I communicated to my parents largely through my class website. One part of the site that has been very successful is the Ladybug Chronicles. This newsletter, which is published bi-monthly, is written by the fourth grade students at the Kennedy School. Parents report that the newsletter has given them information that their children do not report.

During the course Technology Leadership in Schools, I completed a project for Technology Leadership in Schools, which allowed me to work with colleagues to determine ways to use technology to support learners with disabilities in the areas of reading and writing. We created a wiki to share our research and ideas on ways to support students with disabilities using technology.

    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.

In order to model current digital tools, it is essential to keep up to date by attending conferences and workshops centering around technology. This year, I was chosen as a pilot teacher to use a SMART board in my classroom. I attended training, and have begun to use this technology wtih my students.

This year, my team was the recipient of the Best Buy Teach Award. Winners for this grant are chosen based on teacher applications describing how technology is incorporated into their classrooms. My team received $1,000 to enhance our technology use in social studies. Three laptops were purchased, and SMART board software was installed on each. Lessons will be created using this new technology.

One assignment for Technology Leadership in Schools was to create a staff development plan for my school. Rather than create a traditional proposal, I created this wiki to share my ideas and to begin to plan for professional development in my school. I hope to present this proposal to my school principal in the fall.

The online courses that I have taken through the University of Missouri show an entirely new way to teach and learn. Classes can be attended from anywhere there is an internet connection. This has opened up a world of possibilities.