What I've Learned....Week 1

It is the end of my first week in EDOL 533.  Our assignments have varied from You Tube videos on students and technology to standard text book discussion on the value of technology in education.  While all of these assignments have been very informative and a refresher of sorts in some cases, the information presented on Standards has been what has struck me the most about this week.

We all know these standards exist.  We are aware that committees are formed and discussions held on the topics that should be covered in classrooms.  However, after reading the Standards as they apply to teachers and technology, it reminded me of their importance.

In order to use these Standards effectively, I must reacquaint myself with each of them.  The 2008 NETS*T states that teachers should:  1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity, 2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning and Experiences and Assessments, 3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning, 4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility, and 5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership.  First, let me say that all of these numbered Standards appear to be common knowledge.  Of course I want to inspire learning and creativity and to promote good citizenship and continue to grow my own education.  But while the Standards are something we want to adhere to, it is often a challenge to actually do them.  We all have good intentions.  Of course, we plan to think about incorporating the technology.  It may even cross our minds while we are out shopping and see an opportunity to incorporate some type of media into our classrooms.  But we all know where the Road Paved with Good Intentions leads.  In order to truly incorporate these Standards into daily and weekly planning, they must be in our line of vision at all times.  In order to remind myself, I will make a poster to put where I do my planning to help remind me.  In addition, while planning I will make it one of my steps of review.  As I review what I am planning for a unit, I will review my lists and see how my plan can incorporate the various Standards.  By taking this extra step of notating the Standard, I can reinforce my intention of using it and by doing so make that more a part of my lesson.  In addition, this repetition reinforces my knowledge of the Standards and will hopefully lead to that becoming a regular part of my plan.  This notation also reminds my administrators of my dedication to seeing that the Standards are remembered and used during my classes.  I don’t expect this to be a perfect system, but with concerted effort, I hope that this becomes a more functional piece of my daily routine.