LEARNER
Teachers continually improve their practice by learning from and with others, exploring best practices in the use of technology to improve student learning.
a. Explore and apply evolving pedagogical strategies that leverage technology by setting professional learning goals and reflecting on progress and impact.
Each year, each teacher in Ladue Schools creates a personal learning plan for the year that addresses goals for student achievement, growth as a member of their building's community, and as an individual. This year, I have created (and achieved!) a number of professional learning goals that have helped me grow immeasurably as a computer tech teacher, and as a leader in my building community.
ARTIFACT: PROFESSIONAL GOALS
In addition to following the latest products and thought processes within the EdTech community at large, I also feel it's important to look at my practice at the micro-level to examine what is and is not working for my students on a daily basis. This usually takes place in the form of on-the-fly changes to our daily plans and how I introduce content to my students, but this semester I began planning an action research study that will examine the role of touch typing instruction in my classes.
ARTIFACT IN PROGRESS: ACTION RESEARCH PLAN
ARTIFACT: PROFESSIONAL GOALS
In addition to following the latest products and thought processes within the EdTech community at large, I also feel it's important to look at my practice at the micro-level to examine what is and is not working for my students on a daily basis. This usually takes place in the form of on-the-fly changes to our daily plans and how I introduce content to my students, but this semester I began planning an action research study that will examine the role of touch typing instruction in my classes.
ARTIFACT IN PROGRESS: ACTION RESEARCH PLAN
b. Cultivate personal and professional learning communities by participating in local and global learning networks.
This year, I made a giant step forward in my role within the global education community. As a Google Certified Innovator, I am connecting with other teachers around the world to share ideas and successes with innovative classroom practices. In the coming years, I hope to contribute to the Certified Innovator community as a speaker, a coach, and potentially even a mentor to future candidates.
ARTIFACT: GOOGLE FOR EDUCATION DIRECTORY PROFILE
Not all professional learning takes place at conferences and in formalized settings. The most impactful professional learning I've found takes place on Twitter, where simple conversations bring teachers together around common issues. On Twitter, I participate regularly in discussions around equity and social justice in education, as well as tech-integrated teaching and design thinking.
ARTIFACT: @MSARLMIDDLE
ARTIFACT: GOOGLE FOR EDUCATION DIRECTORY PROFILE
Not all professional learning takes place at conferences and in formalized settings. The most impactful professional learning I've found takes place on Twitter, where simple conversations bring teachers together around common issues. On Twitter, I participate regularly in discussions around equity and social justice in education, as well as tech-integrated teaching and design thinking.
ARTIFACT: @MSARLMIDDLE
c. Stay current with research that supports improved student learning outcomes, including findings from the learning sciences.
One of the reasons I became a technology teacher is because I love to learn and experiment with the latest products and developments within the field. While my instinct is often to jump with both feet into the next big site or app, I've learned over the course of this program that new developments often come with unexpected implementation issues or unintended consequences. This has led me to try to anticipate potential problems before discovering them "live" in the classroom.
ARTIFACT: INNOVATION BLOG POST
It can often be difficult to keep up with research in the field of education, especially as it relates to technology, because by the time long-term successes can be discerned, we have often moved on to something new. I have found it helpful throughout this program (and throughout my teaching career) to remember the bedrock principles of learning theory. There are practices in schools that we know are effective, and if we can keep those principles in mind as we hurtle toward the future, we can serve our students most effectively.
ARTIFACT: ACTION RESEARCH FORUM
ARTIFACT: INNOVATION BLOG POST
It can often be difficult to keep up with research in the field of education, especially as it relates to technology, because by the time long-term successes can be discerned, we have often moved on to something new. I have found it helpful throughout this program (and throughout my teaching career) to remember the bedrock principles of learning theory. There are practices in schools that we know are effective, and if we can keep those principles in mind as we hurtle toward the future, we can serve our students most effectively.
ARTIFACT: ACTION RESEARCH FORUM