TIE 535 - Teaching with Technology Across the Curriculum
 
  Course Description
  Artifact
  Reflection
  Standards

Course Description:
This course will focus on strategies for integration of technology experience into classroom practice. Students will explore a variety of teaching strategies for using technology across the curriculum. They will design and implement lessons demonstrating appropriate ways to use computer technology to meet existing curricular objectives, to expand curricular options and to enhance the learning environment.

 
Click on the image above to view the artifact.

Artifact:
The artifact for this course was a unit of instruction using technology. I selected a unit of instruction from my TIE300 undergraduate course that I teach. My unit was based on the topic of selecting appropriate curricular software (instructional software) for use in the classroom. The framework for the lesson was the Understanding by Design process, which focuses on an Essential Question and teaching for enduring understanding. The method for planning this type of lesson plan is to first think about what results you desire, then consider what evidence of these results is acceptable, and then plan the learning experience to meet these objectives.

 

Reflection:
This project was important because it forced me to reflect on and evaluate the way I teach and to question the methods that I used in my classes. Rather than focusing on the smaller understandings that I hoped to explore with my students, this process required me to think about the "big ideas." The format for the course was Understanding by Design (Wiggins & McTighe). The basic premise behind the theory is the use of essential questions to really get at what understandings you wish your students to walk away with - and then, how are you going to teach so that they have a deep, enduring understanding of that content?

I selected the topic of Software Evaluation and Selection because I felt that this was definitely an area of the TIE300 curriculum where my teaching methods and activities could use some work. The lesson plan which I created included activities which made the unit more interactive and requires my students to focus on the essential meanig of the activities. Then the students present to the class a piece of software that they have selected and justify their decision, as well as demonstrate the software's use in the classroom with a lesson plan. There are forms for both peer and self-evaluation, which I felt are important parts of any student presentation. I feel that the lesson was greatly improved after I thought through the process and I have used this lesson every time I teach this part of the course.

Standards:
The standards covered in this project include:
  Technology Facilitator Standard One (TF-I.A)
  Educational technology facilitators demonstrate an in-depth understanding of technology operations and concepts.
   
   
  Technology Facilitator Standard Two (TF-II.A)
  Educational technology facilitators plan, design, and model effective learning environments and multiple experiences supported by technology.
   
   
  Technology Facilitator Standard Three (TF-III.A, D, E)
  Educational technology facilitators apply and implement curriculum plans that include methods and strategies for utilizing technology to maximize student learning.
   
   
  Technology Facilitator Standard Six (TF-VI.B)
  Educational technology facilitators undertand the social, ethical, legal and human issues surrounding the use of technology in P-12 schools and assist teachers in applying that understanding in their practice.
   
   
  Technology Facilitator Standard Eight (TF-VIII.D)
  Educational technology facilitators will contribute to the shared vision for campus integration of technology and foster an environment and culture conducive to the realization of the vision.