Mark Heald Portfolio

Applying Professional Knowledge in the Classroom 

            The National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) present guidelines for teachers on how to best implement technology and engage students to maximize their learning. There are 5 standards which can all be weaved into a classroom setting. The first standard is to facilitate and inspire student learning. New technologies allow for teachers to use many creative and innovative resources that allow students to participate in more hands on learning. Digital story projects, video games, and movie projects are just a few ways to get students inspired to learn, as they would be learning through the use of mediums which are a shift from the norm in most classrooms. Students could be asked to complete technology based projects which pertain to real world issues that affect them, therefore becoming more entrenched in what is going on in the world today.

            The second standard is to design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assignments. Teachers should come up with assignments that incorporate modern day tools and resources. In a classroom, students could be encouraged to use computer programs that will be beneficial later in life. Programs such as Word, Excel, etc all give students the opportunity to gain knowledge of skills that will help them as they enter the working world in the future. Furthermore, by including an array of different technologies in the classroom, students are able to gain knowledge on a diversity of technologies, and are therefore able to explore topics which they are interested in. Allowing students to pursue subject areas that are of particular interest to them seems to be a good way to get students excited about learning.

            The third standard is to model digital-age work and learning. This standard involves teachers be familiar with many of the new technologies that aid in learning. There exist many websites and blogs that teachers can use as resources to stay up to date on current trends and technologies. Free Technology for Teachers is one such blog. It offers an array of useful information and links to the latest technologies, all of which relate to education. By discovering sites like this, teachers are able to become more tech savvy and therefore can better teach their own students about technology. If a teacher tries to implement a piece of technology in the classroom without having much knowledge of the technology then the teacher will have trouble maximizing the learning of their students.

            The fourth standard is to promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility. This involves implementing technology in an appropriate way and having an understanding of the ethics associated with the particular technology. As a teacher, one can make sure to fulfill this standard by becoming familiarized with the technologies they use in the classroom, and to always be conscious of particular copyright rules and laws of that nature. One must understand that in addition to teaching about technology, they must also make sure that they teach ethical behavior with regards to technology to their students.

            The fifth and final standard is to engage in professional growth and leadership. Technology is always growing and evolving, and because of this, teachers and educators must also adapt their teaching styles to incorporate many of the useful technologies that exist. One should always seek to improve upon their teaching, as that is a mark of a good teacher. Teachers should be active in researching new ways to use technology in the classroom, and they should encourage their peers to do the same. The way students learn is changing. It is up to the educators to utilize their resources and determine how to teach in a manner that will best allow students to learn.