The following assignments were most directly related to Performance 9.c.: [Teachers] value technology as a tool for student and teacher lifelong learning. Please click on the links to navigate to the relevant pages.

Fall (ED630) Assignments:

Project #4: Energy Self-Study

Conducted an empirical study to determine the “phantom load” energy used by leaving my appliances plugged in. Upon analyzing my results, created a PowerPoint presentation, performed it for a video camera, and posted it to YouTube. Utilized PowerPoint, a Watt Meter, Excel, and YouTube in the process of this project.


Project #5: Philosophy of Education

Created a YouTube music video version of my Philosophy of Education modeled after a pop song. In order to auto-tune and properly mix my karaoke-style rap, I learned to use GarageBand. I also learned how to use iMovie in the process and learned more about posting videos to YouTube. The energy I put into this project is indicative of my passion as a life-long learner for learning new technology.

 

Spring (ED632) Assignments:

Project #1: Social Media Involvement

For this project, I became involved in a social media site relevant to my subject area, the Bright Hub K-12 Learning channel. My involvement eventually culminated in my being accepted as a paid writer for the site.

 

Project #2: Internet Resources

In this project, I outlined various internet resources that I find most useful in my educational practice and in use for teaching my students.

 

Project #3: Digital Narrative

For this project, called the Digital Narrative, I was tasked with learning to tell a story digitally. I elected to complete an assignment I had just asked my students to do in essay format; write your own chapter of “the Odyssey”. I went through a process of planning and script-writing, and, using an online animation platform called goanimate, created an animation with my own cast of characters online to tell the story, posting it to YouTube. Again, this project shows my enthusiasm for learning as well as for utilizing new technologies.

 

Project #4: Individualized Education Project

For this project, I learned how to create podcasts and demonstrated mastery of this new skill by creating a satirical podcast (called “stupid questions”) with the help of my 3rd-hour class, which I posted on YouTube. Then, I used backwards design to create a series of six English-content-area lessons that utilize podcasting. I can’t wait to use podcasting in my classroom!