Description

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

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   Completing my undergraduate degree in business education and now finishing my third year of teaching, mainly computer and technology classes at the high school level, has given me an advantage to understanding basic technology concepts. This basic level of understanding can therefore be viewed through my current career with my website for students and parents, and my current resume. Currently in the classroom, I also help students understand basic technology skills and concepts through PowerPoint. Understanding Computers is a PowerPoint I created for my Computer Applications classes as well as the Introduction to Technology PowerPoint. Both of these PowerPoint presentations give me an opportunity to share with students introductory knowledge, skills, and concepts of technology.

   In addition to my career, I have recently been able to enhance my prior knowledge by creating a technology integration plan for another discipline area in our school district. This plan demonstrates how basic technology skills can be applied in a unit to enhance student understanding. Finally, the concept map provides a visual representation of my level of understanding among learning, teaching, and technology.

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

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   As a technology teacher with vocational certification, researching, studying, and training on new technologies is not only imperative, but required. Through membership with professional organizations such as ACTE and MBEA (as noted on my resume) I am able to participate in many professional development opportunities such as the ACTE summer conference. These conferences train on new technologies and their classroom/school applications.

   Beyond professional training, I have also had the opportunity to complete a case study that involved researching technologies for special education students. Focusing the study on a hearing impaired student gave opportunities to discover the amazing technology available for these individuals. I was unaware of the many types of technology that exist to help these students. Completing and comparing interviews with teachers about their use of technology in the classroom also made me more aware of what technologies teachers are using in disciplines beyond my own. Finally, discussing the implementation of a new technology with two different teachers in the same discipline helped provide insight to the knowledge and reactions to new technologies and how those teachers are keeping current with new technologies and their uses.