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My reflection on the units and the various tools created by the ISTE NETS Standards

    Reflection on course and the various tools created and guided by the ISTE NETS Standards.

The Course "Educational Technology" has seven (7) units:

UNIT 1: Introduction to Educational Technology

UNIT 2: Theoretical Framework of Educational Technology

UNIT 3: Instructional Planning

UNIT 4: Designing Effective Computer-based Instructional Support Tools

UNIT 5: Designing Effective Web-based Instructional Support Tools

UNIT 6: Assessment with Technology

UNIT 7: Trends in Educational Technology

UNIT 1: Introduction to Educational Technology

        This was the first week of Educational Technology class and introducing the course was the main aim for the first week. The first thing that was done in this unit was to compose a personal philosophy as to why technology is to be integrated in education and that was post on Schoology which is a site Mr. Onywere uses to give the students information and course work assignments anything regarding to the course. We were then introduced to a definition of technology, technology integration, just to mention a few. We were also instructed to use appropriate terminologies when writing or talking about technology in the classroom.

UNIT 2: Theoretical Framework of Educational Technology

        The second week of this course I learnt about Theoretical Framework of Educational Technology where the main focus was on Technology Integration Standard and frameworks. The Technology integration standards that were discussed are the ISTE NETS Standards. We discussed that the ISTE Standards set a standard of excellence and best practices in learning, teaching and leading with technology in education. The benefits of using the ISTE Standards include:

•           Improving higher-order thinking skills, such as problem solving, critical thinking and creativity

•           Preparing students for their future in a competitive global job market

•           Designing student-centered, project-based and online learning environments

•           Guiding systemic change in our schools to create digital places of learning

•           Inspiring digital age professional models for working, collaborating and decision making.

We discuss the framework for evaluating educational technology and an article was read. http://eduscapes.com/tap/tap100.html 

The article entails technology rich learning experiences, the importance of technology in learning and how teachers can come up will creative idea to make learning fun and excited for students, the standards as discussed before and the challenges to technology rich learning.

UNIT 3: Instructional Planning

        Unit 3 week three focuses on Instructional planning. Effective instructional planning is a key to motivating students' academic growth. Successful teachers say it matters how a lesson is introduced, how meaningful the content appears to students, the pace at which information is imparted, the amount of variety introduced, and the amount of student involvement. This unit entails a framework and encourages teachers to think proactively and efficiently. We live in a technology and media-driven environment, students, teachers, and administrators must master the 21st Century skills of collaboration, communication, problem solving, and critical thinking through the effective use of technology. In unit 3 we discussed that instructional Systems are strategies used in developing instructional courses or materials that bring greater efficiency and effectiveness to acquiring knowledge or skills for learners. We also spoke of Dale’s cone of Experience which is a guide in assisting teacher in planning the integration of technology in education. We also discussed Instructional Design Models which included the ASSURE and ADDIE Models. These models are used when planning lessons for school aged children; which incorporates the integration of technology to ensure that learning is interactive yet at the same time fun and exciting. I found the ASSURE model to be the most comfortable model to use because it gives a simple and realistic way of the lesson planning process.

UNIT 4: Designing Effective Computer-based Instructional Support Tools

        Unit four dealt with designing instructional tools for different discipline and specific teaching methodology. We discussed Instructional Software is basically a program or series of programs for a computer, which help students to learn. Using instructional software has many benefits to the educational environment. There are five functions or types of instructional software which includes: Tutorial, Drill and Practice, Simulations, Instructional Games and Problem-solving. We also had the opportunity to integrate various instructional technologies to meet the needs of diverse learners in a variety of educational settings. These include: Desktop Publishing (postcard/brochures), Computer based Digital Storytelling (photo Story), Windows movie maker, Podcasts (Pod bean, Audacity, mix craft 5, audition, virtual Dj etc.) and interactive PowerPoint just to name a few.

UNIT 5: Designing Effective Web-based Instructional Support Tools

      For this unit we went more into technology and its tools, such as: Google, YouTube, Wikis, Social Networking, Website Design using free tools, Blogs, Web Quests. We covered many tools used in the planning of lessons to meet the needs of diversity in the classroom such as: Text-Based Tools for eg, Blogging, Audio/Video Tools for eg. Podcasting/YouTube, Productivity Tool for eg, Googledoc/Google drive, Online Content/Learning Objects for eg, Websites – Yola & Weebly. We also discussed that the World Wide Web can be used to provide instruction and instructional support. Web-based instruction offers learners unparalleled access to instructional resources which is far surpassing the reach of the traditional classroom. It also makes possible learning experiences that are open, flexible, and distributed, providing opportunities for engaging, interactive, and efficient instruction for teachers.

UNIT 6: Assessment with Technology

        In unit six, the method of assessment using technology discussed was the use of rubrics in the teaching learning process. Rubrics have become very popular, a recognizable trend in education. Experienced teachers, however, have seen numerous trends rise and fall over the years. Instructional rubrics are easy to use and to explain. Rubrics make sense to people at a glance; they are concise and digestible. For these reasons, teachers like to use them to assess student work, parents appreciate them when helping their children with homework, and students often request them when given a new assignment. We were also given the opportunity to develop our own rubrics for an assignment in a subject area in class which was very interesting

UNIT 7: Trends in Educational Technology

        In this unit we visited a link which entails the trends in Educational Technology since the year of 2012. Trends discussed included: Touch computing- Tablet computers such as the iPad might seem like a nice alternative to desktop and laptop computers, but I believe they're more than that: They're replacements. Just as the command line gave way to graphical user interfaces, so the mouse will be superseded by touch screens, just to mention a few. We also discussed that technology has increased opportunities for exceptional students, parental involvement, and the building a global community. Also, compared and predicted how vast technology is being implemented in a school's curriculum as opposed to schools of the future.

•     http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/19/tech/innovation/top-tech-trends-2012/index.html. This is the link with the trends in Educational Technology. A very informative site and a lot was learnt.

   This course overall taught me a lot about technology and the ways in which it can be used to enhance learning. As a teacher in training I will ensure that I apply what I have learned in my everyday life.