Bianca Becker

Context

 

Course: EDTC 5340: Fall 2013

Instructor: Dr. Shaunna Smith 

Artifact(s) Selected: 

Artifact  Reflection

 

The special issue topic for EDTC 5340 focused on digital fabrication and rapid-prototyping technologies, including 2D machines and 3D printers. The class focused on the use of digital fabrication in curricuulum, transdisciplinary learning, 5E lesson design, and visual reasoning. 

 

This course was very challenging, and I struggled with some of its components. The use of scaffolded introduction to digital fabrication and rapid-prototyping through technology tutorials, standards-based content connections, grade level specifications, cognitive developmental appropriateness, and practical modifications through differentiated instruction helped me undertand the concept of spatial reasoning and fabrication better. 

 

I developed two standards-based lesson units for 2D and 3D printing. In the 2D plan students develop a 2D pop-up book illustrating the three states of matter. In the 3D plan students created 3D designs that have the accurte measurements and scale in order to be used as part of a model to represent the new patio/garden being developed at school. 

 

Lastly, I completed a culminating mini-action research project of an implementation of an original lesson with 3rd grade students. The blog that I created for the course has my personal reflections on each of the various projects and readings, as well as pictures of artifacts created during the course. The artifacts other listed artifacts are my 2D and 3D lesson plans, and my Mini-Action research. 

 

This experience left me with my first truly authentic use of modern Educational Technology in conjunction with teaching. Everything else prior to this had been theory and observation. It was a challenging and rewarding experience to actually implement the technology. I am able to walk away with strategies for planning the implementation and managing the equipment that I never had quite considered before this course. 

ISTE Standards for Teachers

 

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity // Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, cretvity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers: 

 

• (A) Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness.

• (B) Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.

• (C) Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes.

• (D) Model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments. 

 

2. Design & Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences & Assessments // Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessmetn incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers: 

 

• (A) Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.

• (B) Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress

• (C) Customize and peronsalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources.

• (D) Provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments alinged with content and technlogy standards and use resulting data to ifnorm learning and teaching.

 

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning // Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. Teachers: 

 

• (A) Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations.

• (B) Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.

• (D) Model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning.

 

4. Promote & Model Digital Citizenship & Responsibility // Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices. Teachers: 

 

• (A) Advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.

• (B) Address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable acess to appropriate digital tools and resources.

 

5. Engage in Professional Growth & Leadership// Teachers continously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and decmonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources. Teachers: 

 

• (A) Participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning.

• (D) Contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community.