Individual Project: Conference Registration

As a project for my Digital Education Leadership course on Digital Learning Environments, students were to find a conference that they could present at, then start the application process. The conference I chose, the Fall WA-ACTE conference, is one I would present at, as part of my job. The conference, which is located at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound will be November 3-4, 2016. Continue reading Individual Project: Conference Registration

Increasing use of Technology creates need for troubleshooting strategies

puzzle pieces

There are several problems that can happen when teaching with technology, it can be with either the hardware or the software. Teachers who use technology on a daily basis have developed strategies to successfully minimize issues and help move the lesson forward. Besides errors that can be listed in a common troubleshooting checklist, IT services can provide strategies that soon become classroom routines. Students are great resources, they can share how they solve technology issues with the classroom and teacher. Continue reading Increasing use of Technology creates need for troubleshooting strategies

Universal Design for Learning: Using digital tools to meet all learner’s needs

Digital tools, beyond personal assistive technologies, can be used for all students to become learners through strategies that remove barriers. To help teachers and administrators understand how strategies or tools could be implemented is Universal Design for Learning (UDL). These principles come from the work of Vygotsky, Bloom, and cognitive neuroscience where by understanding the needs of students, teachers can modify the curriculum to meet the needs of all students.   Continue reading Universal Design for Learning: Using digital tools to meet all learner’s needs

Professional Development that creates collaborative digital environments while addressing content curriculum

While changes in schools happen slowly, professional development for teachers is being transformed through technology.  Gone are the prescribed agendas with approved district topics or mandates, replaced with teacher choice and voice. Teachers have been complaining about how professional development doesn’t benefit them in the classroom consequently, doesn’t even support them in their current work.  Continue reading Professional Development that creates collaborative digital environments while addressing content curriculum

Moodles & PLNs

Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environments (Moodles) as Personal Learning Networks (PLNs)

What I understand of Moodle’s and their technology infrastructure is minimal, I have interacted mainly as a user through my participation in the Microsoft IT Academy, now known as the Microsoft Imagine Academy. The support provided to the teachers has been through the EdTech Moodle, which consists of curriculum and forums. Continue reading Moodles & PLNs

Teaching students to master new life skills using digital tools

The past decade has seen an exponential increase in digital tools and opportunities, therefore there is a need for students to master a new set of life skills for behaving responsibly online. Even as they sit in the classroom, they are able to connect with people across the globe instantaneously via chats, email, blogs, social media, virtual conferences, comments and more. This new capability brings great opportunity but also some risk. Many of these connections happen with strangers, who could potentially pose danger. The anonymous nature of the internet can also create negative personal interactions, such as cyberbullying. Continue reading Teaching students to master new life skills using digital tools

Modeling digital age learning

When reading the NMC Horizon Report form 2014, it is amazing to understand how much of what they talked about is becoming reality. What I found the most striking was when they were writing about Digital Strategies and Enabling Technologies, in which something new, easier to use, meaningful and more capable is used to transform what we expect. Continue reading Modeling digital age learning

Formative Assessment: Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)

When I read that we were to discuss an assessment tool that our district or school uses I immediately thought of MAP testing in math. Many school districts, including Sumner use Measures of Academic Progress® (MAP®)exams which are  “computer adaptive interim assessments that provide a personalized assessment experience by adapting to each student’s learning level.” Continue reading Formative Assessment: Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)

Achieving Better Instruction through Reflection

With each concept I teach, I evaluate the students understanding through their programming code, the required comments explaining the code, and the coding structure. I also know what they understand by listening to the questions that they ask.  Formative assessment is the primary way that I evaluate if they understand the concepts, there is no need for a summative assessment if they are not ready. Reflection on instruction as cyclical strategy allows for implementing changes to increase my student’s knowledge of my content (Teach). Continue reading Achieving Better Instruction through Reflection

Blended Learning: Mixing it all up

Throughout this class, I have researched ways to increase my students’ understanding of Computer Programming Concepts. By incorporating the ISTE Standards, I have been able to create innovative opportunities through a diverse set of technology. Working through the strategies of CodeHS, pair programming and the idea of student-run programming forums which are in addition to my instruction I realize that I’m implementing a Blended Learning Environment.

Continue reading Blended Learning: Mixing it all up