Lesson 1 – Overview, The Field of Educational Technology

Sometimes I begin a course and cannot imagine what the following weeks will bring with regard to content.  Did I just learn the entire course? 

What I learned in the first week is that I did not know standards for educational technology existed.  In retrospect, standardizing various aspects of education is commonplace.  It is practical that educational technology would be included in this standardization trend.  This week, I learned what those educational standards are for teachers, students, and administrators.  I learned the importance of integrating educational technology into the classroom, as well as some tools available to ensure the integration is effective.

In my opinion, the National Education Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS*T) are a bit academic.  I spent time highlighting key words to discern the critical goal of each standard.  Sometimes, as a ‘litmus test’ I read the statement as if it were a direction for teachers in general, opposed to guides for planning activities that use technology specifically.  For example, “Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity, Teachers: promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness” (The ISTE NETS and Performance Indicators for Teachers, 2008).  I think standards are important, but I found the NETS*T to be too general.

Regardless, I do think standardization is critical and I can appreciate the necessity for broad guidelines to allow flexibility that fosters creativity.  With that, I found the Technological Literacy Worksheet a helpful interpretation of the standards into guidelines and tools that are applicable in the classroom.  I found the exercise both encouraging and enlightening.  I realized that some of my current professional skills will be an asset when I become an educator.  I also discovered areas for personal growth to enhance my technological knowledge and skills, such as learning how to develop a web page.

Although I am not currently teaching, when I do, I will immediately develop a web page in my classroom.  I think a teacher’s website is a critical, technological tool in todays classroom.  The content of the site is a practical, modern day communication tool between teachers and students, as well as, teachers and parents. 

The steps I would take to implement a web page in the classroom include incorporating its development into my lesson plan.  The development and maintenance of the site allows the students to build their technological knowledge.  Their collaboration will encourage future use of the site as well as ensure its effectiveness.  We will have to give the web page a title, develop the format, and determine the content.

I think the biggest challenge of using the web page in the classroom is two-fold, integration and maintenance.  My goal is for the site to be integrated similar to how UC uses Elluminate by providing course content, discussions, and assessment data for the students and parents to access.  I have a vision of a paperless public school that is likely impossible in the near future.  If the federal government would implement free and total internet access, the vision of fully integrating the website is more probable. 

Until then, maintaining the web page will be a challenge as well.  Utilizing the web page for posting assignments for example, will cause duplication with handing out paper assignments.  Including assessment data may not be possible if the site does not include security features to ensure confidentiality as well.

It has been a great first week of learning about Educational Technology.  I think it is a critical component for effective teaching that produces successful learners.