Welcome to my graduate showcase. Over the past 2 years I have had the opportunity to dive into education and the world of technology. I am proud to use this showcase to display the accomplishments I have had in the Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program at Michigan State University. I have strived to maintain a focus on the use of technology in the educational world. I will showcase how I have examinded problems with technology in education, my use of the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) philosophy, and lastly my explorations with developing a mission and vision for a school district.
1. Problems Facing Education
The Need for Learning Management Systems in Schools
Learning management systems (LMS) are used to connect students, parents and educators in the classroom. A system could
allow students and parents to see their grades from home, or it could allow educators to tutor their students virtually via chat
room or video chat. Although there are many different possibilities with LMS’, the purpose remains the same: bringing students
and teachers together to learn. To have an effective online education system or eLearning system, the National Education
Association suggests teachers have a Learning Management System (LMS) available. This is so “there is a shared vision and
student-centered teaching which will provide educational support for evaluation and assessment.”The MAET program allowed me
to explore many of the programs that are popular and widely used by both K-12 schools and universities alike. I personally took
this information and introduced a LMS to my school that is now being used building wide.
allow students and parents to see their grades from home, or it could allow educators to tutor their students virtually via chat
room or video chat. Although there are many different possibilities with LMS’, the purpose remains the same: bringing students
and teachers together to learn. To have an effective online education system or eLearning system, the National Education
Association suggests teachers have a Learning Management System (LMS) available. This is so “there is a shared vision and
student-centered teaching which will provide educational support for evaluation and assessment.”The MAET program allowed me
to explore many of the programs that are popular and widely used by both K-12 schools and universities alike. I personally took
this information and introduced a LMS to my school that is now being used building wide.
Wicked Problems in Education
Wicked Problem - Myself and our group had the opportunity to examine the issue of keeping education relevant. We were able to identify 3 areas of concern; Why isn't education relevant? How can technology make education more relevant? Why are 21st century skills needed for the job seekers of tomorrow? We tried to answer these questions with the creation of an infographic. This project enlightened me to a whole world that exists about major concerns facing educators and what we are and aren't doing to address them. I realized that for most of the problems in education they are very nuanced and do not have either easy or in some cases widely agreed upon solutions. The biggest obstacle facing people who choose to address them is the very fact that they are hard and the solutions that are picked aren't guaranteed to work. The prospects of failing can be a big deterrent to people who might want to take them on. In the end I learned that what's worse than a fear of failing is not attempting to fix any of the issues below and more simply because of fear.
Mobile Phones, Harmful or Helpful?
Another issue I was able to explore in education was focused around the use of cell phones in education. Mobile technology when
used with sound pedagogical practices and a good student centered teaching philsophy have been shown to increase student
performance and gains on assessments. If either one of those pieces are missing then the benefits gained from using mobile
technology signficantly decrease in efficiacy.
used with sound pedagogical practices and a good student centered teaching philsophy have been shown to increase student
performance and gains on assessments. If either one of those pieces are missing then the benefits gained from using mobile
technology signficantly decrease in efficiacy.
Benefits of Mobile Technology | |
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2. Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge
It is important for teachers to understand the concepts of the TPACK framework in order to be effective teachers.
According to Mishra and Koehler (2009), TPACK is derived from the interactions among technological knowledge, pedagogical
knowledge, and content knowledge. All of these types of knowledge are crucial to effective teaching and student learning and
even more crucial is the interactions among and between them. First, content knowledge is important because that is the
teacher’s knowledge of what he/she is teaching students (What is TPACK?, 2009). Next, pedagogical knowledge is important
because pedagogy involves “an understanding of students, their developmental trajectory, conceptual misconceptions they may
have,” and the best ways to teach content ideas to certain students (Too Cool for School? No way!, 2010). Last, technological
knowledge is important because it involves knowing whether certain technologies will enhance or inhibit the achievement of a
goal as well as how technologies actually work (What is TPACK?, 2009).
According to Mishra and Koehler (2009), TPACK is derived from the interactions among technological knowledge, pedagogical
knowledge, and content knowledge. All of these types of knowledge are crucial to effective teaching and student learning and
even more crucial is the interactions among and between them. First, content knowledge is important because that is the
teacher’s knowledge of what he/she is teaching students (What is TPACK?, 2009). Next, pedagogical knowledge is important
because pedagogy involves “an understanding of students, their developmental trajectory, conceptual misconceptions they may
have,” and the best ways to teach content ideas to certain students (Too Cool for School? No way!, 2010). Last, technological
knowledge is important because it involves knowing whether certain technologies will enhance or inhibit the achievement of a
goal as well as how technologies actually work (What is TPACK?, 2009).
When we try to understand what TPACK involves, the description for others can often times be confusing, even to those who may understand the framework themselves. One of the best graphics I encountered to help visualize the framework was the word cloud above. The 3 main areas focused on in TPACK, technology, pedagogy, and content are big and standout. Then a reader can further see what we mean when we say pedagogy or content by exploring the words connceted to them. This word cloud was the first time I truly gained a good perspective for the TPACK frameworkd and is something I would share with others to help them to learn it as well.
Minecraft Mayhem
Over the course of the program, I was able to explore the use of Minecraft in the classroom. Minecraft is a collaborative game,
and students actively work in competitive ways, but they can also work together to solve problems and challenges. I’ve watched
many students play together, and I will say that they really want to do well when they play, but they sometimes struggle to
communicate with each other in ways that are polite and safe. I can use this as an opportunity to build digital citizenship
skills. As students play, I should observe and give feedback with checklists and rubrics. I can also facilitate
discussions and reflections to support each student in effectively communicating and collaborating. By using Minecraft I learned
that I can help my students enhance their creativity, problem-solving, self-direction and collaboration that may seem to be
less beneficial than some other skills taught in the educational realm but can have a real benefit as they transition to the
college and business world. This is an example of using technology in a purposeful way to address skills needed in the classroom
and a use fo the TPACK framework to plan an activity.
and students actively work in competitive ways, but they can also work together to solve problems and challenges. I’ve watched
many students play together, and I will say that they really want to do well when they play, but they sometimes struggle to
communicate with each other in ways that are polite and safe. I can use this as an opportunity to build digital citizenship
skills. As students play, I should observe and give feedback with checklists and rubrics. I can also facilitate
discussions and reflections to support each student in effectively communicating and collaborating. By using Minecraft I learned
that I can help my students enhance their creativity, problem-solving, self-direction and collaboration that may seem to be
less beneficial than some other skills taught in the educational realm but can have a real benefit as they transition to the
college and business world. This is an example of using technology in a purposeful way to address skills needed in the classroom
and a use fo the TPACK framework to plan an activity.
Makey Makey GO GO
The Maker movement is a unique combination of artistry, circuitry, and old-fashioned craftsmanship. Certainly, learning by doing
or "making" has been happening since our ancestors refined the wheel. A new generation of inventors is surfing the tide of the
Maker movement. These classrooms emphasize making, inventing, and creativity. Let's look at the terminology and trends that
will help educators understand the Maker movement. The TPACK framework coincides with the Maker Movement by encouraging
the use of technology (Makey Makey kits) in the classroom so students can explore and take everyday basic objects like I did
below and find a new purpose for them that may not have been considered before. I can now help students to take an inanimate
object and make it come to life, the activities can be collaborative, engaging and very purposeful.
or "making" has been happening since our ancestors refined the wheel. A new generation of inventors is surfing the tide of the
Maker movement. These classrooms emphasize making, inventing, and creativity. Let's look at the terminology and trends that
will help educators understand the Maker movement. The TPACK framework coincides with the Maker Movement by encouraging
the use of technology (Makey Makey kits) in the classroom so students can explore and take everyday basic objects like I did
below and find a new purpose for them that may not have been considered before. I can now help students to take an inanimate
object and make it come to life, the activities can be collaborative, engaging and very purposeful.
Adventures in Sandwich Making with TPACK
One of the coolest activities I was able to participate in that centered around the TPACK framework was when I had to create
a peanut butter and jelly sandwich using non traditional tools. Like using technology not all people have the same skill set or
can find how to properly use things correctly. We all need some level of help and the TPACK framework not only calls for the
use of technology, but also the ability to teach others how to use and to have a purpose for how and why it is used. I gained a lot
of insight into the process using this hands-on activity both from my own perspective but also from my daughter. Seeing how
she thought about things helped me immensely, and not only was I forced out of my comfort zone, but I got to include my
daughter in many of the steps.
a peanut butter and jelly sandwich using non traditional tools. Like using technology not all people have the same skill set or
can find how to properly use things correctly. We all need some level of help and the TPACK framework not only calls for the
use of technology, but also the ability to teach others how to use and to have a purpose for how and why it is used. I gained a lot
of insight into the process using this hands-on activity both from my own perspective but also from my daughter. Seeing how
she thought about things helped me immensely, and not only was I forced out of my comfort zone, but I got to include my
daughter in many of the steps.
3. Educational Technology Mission & Vision
If we do not know where we are going, how do we know if we get there? How many times have we all heard this infamous quote?
Therein lies the importance of having a clear mission and vision for a school. Why do we have a school? What is our purpose?
What are we supposed to be doing? What collective commitments have we made? Is it clear what we stand for? For us to be a PLC
with a culture that is clearly about student learning with technology first, last, and always, we must be clear about our purpose.
One of the most important things I have developed as a student in the MAET program is my clear vision for the implementation of
technology in a school district. Over the course of the past 2 years, my thoughts on educational technology and the benefits it
can offer all stakeholders has grown. I truly believe that we need to embrace the many benefits offered by developing a sound
plan for technology in a school district. If I can't articulate why there is a pressing need to incorporate technology into the
educational world I currently inhabit then there is no logical way I could be looked at as someone who is capable of making the
changes necessary for the stakeholders I hope to serve one day. This creation of a mission and vision forced me to think and
rethink what I believe my purpose is and truly examine if given the keys to the kingdom what I would hope to accomplish.
Therein lies the importance of having a clear mission and vision for a school. Why do we have a school? What is our purpose?
What are we supposed to be doing? What collective commitments have we made? Is it clear what we stand for? For us to be a PLC
with a culture that is clearly about student learning with technology first, last, and always, we must be clear about our purpose.
One of the most important things I have developed as a student in the MAET program is my clear vision for the implementation of
technology in a school district. Over the course of the past 2 years, my thoughts on educational technology and the benefits it
can offer all stakeholders has grown. I truly believe that we need to embrace the many benefits offered by developing a sound
plan for technology in a school district. If I can't articulate why there is a pressing need to incorporate technology into the
educational world I currently inhabit then there is no logical way I could be looked at as someone who is capable of making the
changes necessary for the stakeholders I hope to serve one day. This creation of a mission and vision forced me to think and
rethink what I believe my purpose is and truly examine if given the keys to the kingdom what I would hope to accomplish.
duncan_debruin_technology_vision.pdf | |
File Size: | 107 kb |
File Type: |