3.2 Managing Digital Tools and Resources
Candidates effectively manage digital tools and resources within the context of student learning experiences. (PSC 3.2/ISTE 3b)
Artifact: ISTE Lesson Plan
Reflection:
Standard 3.2 Managing Tools and Digital Resources
The ISTE Lesson Plan Project was created for the Internet Tools in the Classroom course. The assignment called to develop and implement a lesson plan using at least three of the Web 2.0 tools presented throughout the course. The theme that I chose to base my ISTE Lesson Plan Project on focused on creating simple presentations about building character. Students used a combination of Padlet, Recite, and Shadow Puppet, which are easy to use Web 2.0 resources to create and post assignments. These three resources were chosen for students because minimal skills are required and can yield surprising and effective outcomes. The project required the completion of the NETS-S lesson plan template which required both student content and student technology standards to underpin the lesson. The ISTE Lesson Plan Project was created individually. However, when developing the project, I sought the guidance of the Physical Education teacher regarding appropriate character education traits to target.
The ISTE Lesson Plan Project demonstrates mastery of the Managing Tools and Digital Resources element. Implementing the lesson plan required that I effectively manage a variety of digital tools and resources. The lesson plan was implemented with first graders. One of the key challenges of implementation dealt with the students’ abilities and motor skills when toggling between window tabs and also right clicking and pasting. These two variables were unforeseen when designing and developing the learning experience. Though there were challenges, students were eventually able to progress though. In the process, I feel that I learned a great deal about the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required of an educator of 21st century learners as it pertains to effectively managing digital tools and resources. Despite the challenges, the project was successful because the simplicity of the Web 2.0 resources very much aligned with the skills of a diverse range of first grade learners.
One of the greatest aspects about technology is that it is constantly changing and improving. At the time of the initial implementation of this lesson, I used Padlet, Recite, and Shadow Puppet which are all wonderful resources. Since the project’s implementation, the developers of Shadow Puppet have released a student digital portfolio app called SeeSaw that makes collecting, sharing, and organizing student projects very easy. If and when I revisit implementing this lesson plan Project, I will eliminate the use of Padlet as the posting forum for the projects and instead utilize SeeSaw to collect and organize student work. As developers of engaging technology experiences, it is important to remember that we likely will not have to wait long for the classroom solution to emerge as educational technology is continuously getting better and more refined. This is one of the key lessons that I learned. If something doesn’t work, search for and try something else. The most important thing is student success. When managing digital tools and resources, if one tool doesn’t work for students, be brave enough to try another.
Implementation of the Lesson Plan Project was successful. Through teacher observation and use of the embedded rubric, I was able to assess the impact of the learning experience. The success rate for students effectively creating the required projects was quite high. The majority of my diverse first grade learners saw successful outcomes. Future implementations of this lesson plan could benefit from exploring the usage of alternative Web 2.0 digital tools as those resources are continuously improving.
Standard 3.2 Managing Tools and Digital Resources
The ISTE Lesson Plan Project was created for the Internet Tools in the Classroom course. The assignment called to develop and implement a lesson plan using at least three of the Web 2.0 tools presented throughout the course. The theme that I chose to base my ISTE Lesson Plan Project on focused on creating simple presentations about building character. Students used a combination of Padlet, Recite, and Shadow Puppet, which are easy to use Web 2.0 resources to create and post assignments. These three resources were chosen for students because minimal skills are required and can yield surprising and effective outcomes. The project required the completion of the NETS-S lesson plan template which required both student content and student technology standards to underpin the lesson. The ISTE Lesson Plan Project was created individually. However, when developing the project, I sought the guidance of the Physical Education teacher regarding appropriate character education traits to target.
The ISTE Lesson Plan Project demonstrates mastery of the Managing Tools and Digital Resources element. Implementing the lesson plan required that I effectively manage a variety of digital tools and resources. The lesson plan was implemented with first graders. One of the key challenges of implementation dealt with the students’ abilities and motor skills when toggling between window tabs and also right clicking and pasting. These two variables were unforeseen when designing and developing the learning experience. Though there were challenges, students were eventually able to progress though. In the process, I feel that I learned a great deal about the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required of an educator of 21st century learners as it pertains to effectively managing digital tools and resources. Despite the challenges, the project was successful because the simplicity of the Web 2.0 resources very much aligned with the skills of a diverse range of first grade learners.
One of the greatest aspects about technology is that it is constantly changing and improving. At the time of the initial implementation of this lesson, I used Padlet, Recite, and Shadow Puppet which are all wonderful resources. Since the project’s implementation, the developers of Shadow Puppet have released a student digital portfolio app called SeeSaw that makes collecting, sharing, and organizing student projects very easy. If and when I revisit implementing this lesson plan Project, I will eliminate the use of Padlet as the posting forum for the projects and instead utilize SeeSaw to collect and organize student work. As developers of engaging technology experiences, it is important to remember that we likely will not have to wait long for the classroom solution to emerge as educational technology is continuously getting better and more refined. This is one of the key lessons that I learned. If something doesn’t work, search for and try something else. The most important thing is student success. When managing digital tools and resources, if one tool doesn’t work for students, be brave enough to try another.
Implementation of the Lesson Plan Project was successful. Through teacher observation and use of the embedded rubric, I was able to assess the impact of the learning experience. The success rate for students effectively creating the required projects was quite high. The majority of my diverse first grade learners saw successful outcomes. Future implementations of this lesson plan could benefit from exploring the usage of alternative Web 2.0 digital tools as those resources are continuously improving.