Final Goals Reflection

At the beginning of this semester I put together a few goals. I had these goals in mind to think about while I worked through the semester, and thought about the ways I could accomplish them. Now that the semester is over, I'd like to revisit the goals so that I can assess what I've learned, and how much more I can discover.

"1. I want to be able to help others understand security of digital tools, and how to share their personal data effectively and with only trusted sources.
This goal is aligned to ISTE Standard for Educators 'Citizen' because I will be promoting safe and effective management of personal data. This requires me to understand deeper the basic security of many tools, and requires me to understand what pieces of information may be sensitive and could jeopardize ones privacy."

While I don't feel like I've learned about software or ways to combat scams, I feel more secure in understanding what information to share or not to share. Or rather, I feel more understanding of what I can collect, too. If I send students to websites to use as a resource, I need to understand that the site is trusted, and there won't be any factors on that site that could take away from security. For example, If I link something to my students, I want to be sure the place I send them doesn't have huge popups, or ads that could easily be clicked and potentially jeopardize the student's data or computer. In addition, I feel like I have a better understanding of not sharing details about my students anywhere online, nor having them go somewhere that asks for more than their name or an email log in.

Overall, I do feel that I have understood cyber security at least a little more with this course.

"2. I want to find one new tool to help organize, motivate, and increase productivity for myself to better my personal and professional experience.

This goal is aligned to ISTE Standard for Educators 'Designer' because I will be able to create something for myself and help me learn and grow. I will also be able to share this with others to further their own experience."

I think what I had in mind for this was some sort of journal, calendar, or blog. However, after the semester has finished, looking back at this goal I think I can safely say I accomplished it knowing all of the ways we've organized the course. From just this Blogger, to Symbaloo, the class website, and more ways we've stored and organized data and resources, I am pleased to say I have a better understanding of this goal, and feel very accomplished. I feel that I can easily organize a class or information, and find interesting ways to present information to students to help them feel excited to participate, or at least like they understand exactly what is expected of them.

3. I want to find or create a new way for me to log my accomplishments, or assess my abilities.

This goal is aligned to ISTE Standard for Educators 'Analyst' because I can look for patterns with a habitual log. I can input my success and see my growth, and help others find ways to analyze their own growth, challenges, and accomplishments.

I'm unsure that I've found a way for me to personally do this, outside of just keeping myself organized in my classroom resources. However, I do feel that I've learned new ways to help my students log accomplishments or assess abilities. There have been so many things presented to me like Quizziz or peardeck to help students understand their abilities . Being able to see right away their own accomplishments as well as others' and how they compare is really cool with Quizizz. I'm interested to see what I can do with this tool and others like it to navigate lectures and assessments for my students.

An educational technology goal I have for the future is simply to be more up to date with what options there are in the technological world. Before beginning this class, I felt like I was pretty understanding of what students may be using in schools, but I had limited that understanding to things like tablets and laptops, or the occasional cool new machine. I hadn't thought about robotics, or using video software for projects or things like that. Seeing the multiple little robots in class and learning how to program and play with them to learn was incredible! I had no idea these things existed for student use. I don't want to feel out of touch with technology. I always want to accept it and grow and learn with it, the way that I want my students to. I will accomplish this goal by constantly having an open mind, and learning any new possible technology that could help me or my students.


Thanks for a fun course!~

Classroom Management and Goals Reflection

1. What are your concerns about managing a class that is using technology? What are your plans for addressing those concerns? 

I know first hand how distracting technology is. Even if I'm using it solely for the purpose intended for class, I can find myself wrapped up in it and not paying attention to the instructor or other classmates. This gets even worse with social media on my own device, or any other apps I might have access to. If this is sometimes how technology affects me, an adult in college, then I'm certain it will have deeper effects on my younger students.

The 'hands off, heads up' or similar rules are very helpful. If students don't listen, you say them again and again, and the student certainly will listen quickly! I'm always a little concerned with a student simply not listening or following rules, but I'm also sure that will extend beyond technology and is a different problem all together.

2. How is your lesson planning going for your field experience? What issues do you need to bring up with your cooperating teacher? What questions do you have for me?

No questions this far for my instructor. The lesson plan hasn't begun to really take form yet. I've gotten in touch with my cooperating teacher and we've begun discussing where she will be in her own lessons at a time just before Thanksgiving. We are going to work together to create something that fits well into her existing plans for her students.

I've been using many apps and programs for mathematics, and have some ideas already of what I can incorporate. Depending on my CTs subject at the time, I'm hoping some of the apps I've used will work. 

3. Look back at the goals you wrote at the beginning of this class. How are you progressing in meeting these goals? What do you need to do to meet them? What can I do to help?

At this time, I feel like I've made the most progress towards my second goal. I've created a few infographs, and explored tools that can create quizzes, graphs, diagrams and more. This has helped me be more efficient in my own projects, and has given me insight to be able to help students be organized and create useful projects.

I have also looked into security inline a bit, and I have found new resources to share to help others stay secure and maintain privacy online. 

My last goal of finding a new way to document progress hasn't been met or addressed yet, not really. However, I'm certain I'll find something that can assist with this. Being said, I have worked with the teacher's side of canvas, and the organization with this platform is easy to use and keep. I'll be on the lookout for more tools to help document progress!

Technology Artifacts Part 1

Students have so many resources they can use to convey information they've learned, ask questions to learn more, or prepare to help others learn. I've had the chance to explore a few different tools to showcase what students can do!

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This is an inforgraphic I put together using Canva for another class, that briefly talks about the differences of charter vs. public schools.
I chose to use this tool because I actually had to use it as a student myself! It was very easy to use with the provided templates, and there were so many options to choose from. Canva has a huge variety of templates to use for infographs, photos with words, custom Instagram posts, and more!

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Here I've made a potential flier for math club using Piktochart! Students could create, print, and post this to draw attention to their clubs. Or they could create poster to talk about their projects, pliers for other events, and more using piktochart! Personally, I liked this platform more than Canva, but they are different enough to really be able to use them for projects as needed. I will be using this tool for my own work in the future!

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I also created a Quizizz game! This is a great took to help students to quiz themselves, friends, or create flashcards. It is also a good tool for teachers to create a quiz for their students to give them a study tool. Click here to play my Quizizz!

Equity Reflection

     I interviewed my cooperating teacher at Taylorsville High School about what technology she has for her students. You can find the reflection of that interview here.

     After this, I decided to compare my teacher's answers to one of my classmates findings. The classmate I asked, Jessica,  is also working on a Mathematics Education program, and we are both collaborating with a math teacher at a high school.
     Most of the answers were very similar, but the way the technology was used in the two classrooms varied the most. Both of our teachers have a 1:1 ratio of Chromebooks per student that they have access to in class. However, Jessica's teacher rarely uses the technology accept to look at the class website or emails. While my teacher uses various programs and websites to assist in learning, and is willing to look into any new site or applet to find new ways of teaching, Jessica's teacher limits her students a bit more. She has a set list of websites that she may use, and has no desire to find or use others.
     It's interesting to me that even though the same technology is offered in both classrooms, one class is getting more out of it than another. The equity is there, but the instruction isn't necessarily there. This may be linked to a lack of understanding of the technology, or perhaps this teacher would rather not use it to teach. Either way, hopefully Jessica can help her find some new ways to explore mathematics, and hopefully I can utilize technology for my lesson plan as well!

     I also compared the Granite School District device-per-student to the statewide statistic. As of 2017, Granite has 1.3 devices per student, as compared to the .84 statewide. This number is higher than the state average, but many of these devices in the district are more than 4 years old. This means that even though there are many, they may not work as well as they should, and may not offer as much for the student as a newer device would.

From UTAH SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY INVENTORY 2017

     I decided to compare Granite School District to Juab School District, a rural district in Utah with a student body of about 2500 (Granite's is 69000). Juab has 1.14 devices per student, however, 80% of the devices are over 4 years old! Again, while it is nice that every student has access to a device if needed, they may not be worth using depending on their wear and age.

     It seems that overall in the state, there is almost enough devices per student, but I think overall the quality of the technology might be a factor. If something is too old to use with minimal problems, it's not really going to be an equitable choice for students in Utah.

Technology Inventory Interview Reflection

1. What surprised you about your cooperating teacher’s responses?
   I was interested to see that websites needed to be checked off a week in advance.  This actually makes sense now that I think about it, to be sure the website is safe or verified. This is good information, just in case I want to introduce a new website to the teacher and students.
2. What are some things that you think are “good” about what they said? Why do you think that?
   I think it's wonderful that there are enough Chromebooks so that every student can have one. I also like the use of Desmos and Kahoot already integrated into teaching.
3. What are some things that maybe aren’t so good about what they said? Why do you think that?
   Given the information, it seems everything works really well together already. Without much insight to apps that could be available on the Chromebook, and with an understanding of great website resources like those mentioned, I don't have anything to say in regards to what might not be good.
4. How is what you learned in the interview going to impact the planning and implementation of your mini-lesson? Consider what you'll be able to use, what you'll need to do to get approvals, timelines, etc.
   As mentioned, I will need to be sure to get approval for any new websites to use. Since we need to brainstorm a lesson plan, I'll throw out a few ideas I have, and see if they are anything new. If so, we will be sure to get approval soon so that we are ready with the plan and can implement it on the Chromebooks.

Initial Reflection

1. What is digital literacy and why is it important? 

2. What should students be able to do with technology?

3. Why is it important for us to use technology in our classes?

4. What are your 3 fears about using technology in education? Be sure to cite the ISTE Standards for Educators that align to these goals.

5. What are 3 ways in which you think using technology in education will be exciting or change the way teaching and learning can happen? 

Course Goals

For this class, I hope to accomplish a few goals regarding digital tools. As it is, I am fairly fluent and competent while using and advocating digital tools. I tend to pick up on technology quickly, and can help others use it, but I'd still like to learn more.

1. I want to be able to help others understand security of digital tools, and how to share their personal data effectively and with only trusted sources.
This goal is aligned to ISTE Standard for Educators 'Citizen' because I will be promoting safe and effective management of personal data. This requires me to understand deeper the basic security of many tools, and requires me to understand what pieces of information may be sensitive and could jeopardize ones privacy.

2. I want to find one new tool to help organize, motivate, and increase productivity for myself to better my personal and professional experience.

This goal is aligned to ISTE Standard for Educators 'Designer' because I will be able to create something for myself and help me learn and grow. I will also be able to share this with others to further their own experience.

3. I want to find or create a new way for me to log my accomplishments, or assess my abilities.

This goal is aligned to ISTE Standard for Educators 'Analyst' because I can look for patterns with a habitual log. I can input my success and see my growth, and help others find ways to analyze their own growth, challenges, and accomplishments.

I will engage my students in setting their own goals giving personal experience of my own progress. By sharing an accomplishment, and gently encouraging students to go for their own goals, I can persuade them to set realistic goals and help them with steps to accomplish the goal. I want to help them understand that failure is not an ending, and that it is just one more step in completing a task.

Everyone deserves fair access to understanding digital tools, and using the tools in the most efficient way possible. I am a believer of the growth mindset, and will advocate for everyone to always learn and try something new! I don't believe the concept of "I'm too old for technology" and will help anyone access and use the tools they might need in life.