Professional Development Weaknesses One professional development weakness that I have identified is difficulty when understanding some of the requirements for the use of different resources, such as Book Creator or Flipgrid. The creator of content on platforms such as Nearpod, can share the content with anyone, regardless of whether that individual has signed up for an account with that website. However, some of the technology resources that educators can use require both creator and audience to have an account with the resource. Learning to identify these resources and what is required from both creator and audience member before creating the content is a weakness of mine. Secondly, I have identified that the creation of content that is aesthetically geared toward the audience age as a weak point for myself. Learning to gear the visual ages more for the audience seems to be an area for improvement for myself. Lastly, I recognize that I am not well-enough versed in the myriad safety concerns that are faced when utilizing technology in the classroom.
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Professional Development strengths When beginning the class W200, I was not familiar with most technology that could be used in a classroom. I was familiar with different components of Microsoft as well as Google, Zoom, and partially familiar with Canvas. One strength that I have developed within the class is the ability to use different resources to create educational content, such as Google Slides and Nearpod to create lessons, Flippity to create review content, and the use of Interactive Images to create exploration content. Another strength developed is the ability to use robotics within the classroom, such as using a Bee-bot to teach spelling and coding simultaneously. One other strength developed within the class is a familiarity with the concepts of digital citizenship, safety, and the importance of use of technology to assist with developing equity within education.
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Professional Development Goals
My goals for professional development include obtaining my license in blended and online learning as well as needed additional learning in the Keys to Literacy. Additionally, I seek to gain more knowledge and experience using different resources. Taking classes for online/blended learning is aimed at acquiring proficiency in the use of teaching with online/virtual aids in order to be equipped for education, whether in-class or virtual. Also, I aim to gain proficiency in the use of other resources that I have not been explored, such as the use of concept maps for brainstorming and use of Symbaloo for tracking student involvement with activities.
Continuing Development
In order to meet my professional development goals, I am finishing the internship for my blended and online learning additional license. Through the class, I have become more familiar with the uses of technology, such as Zoom, that enable educators to instruct students in adaptive ways. During the introductory technology class, I have developed proficiencies in a variety of technologies that I had previously never had experience with. I used different platforms such as Google Slides and Nearpod to create lessons for use in the classroom. I created online digital content using screen-casting, green screens, infographic resources, and interactive images. As a student that had previously never used either a green screen nor screen-casting applications, I was surprised that I was able to adapt to their use and able to use them to create tutorials on the use of technology. My knowledge and experience of technology has been greatly developed and I will continue to incorporate new technology resources that are valuable for educational instruction going forwards.
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