Module+1+Reflection

=Reflection 1=

__**Description:**__ The thoughts for this week were to read and think about the ISTE technology standards, and reflect on how I have used them as an educator both in my classroom, and also as a facilitator for others. After looking at the standards and my own performance in the classroom and as a technology leader/facilitator, I assessed both my strengths and weaknesses respectively, and came up with goals for improvement.

After reading the technology standards for educators, technology facilitators and leaders, I have thought about some areas where I have strengths, and those where I have weaknesses. I have always been strong when integrating technology into my own classroom for lessons, and have often found that they have truly impacted students for the better. As tools, I have used email, instant messages, and discussion boards to communicate with students to help them better understand content. I have also utilized graphic organizer tools, online games, wikis, and other technology resources to better facilitate understanding and growth within my students and content. In this way, I have been a strong advocate and leader in showing students tools that organize, expand, stimulate and foster an environment conducive not only to the learning of my content, but also the ability to transfer the knowledge and tools into real-world scenarios.
 * __Impact:__**

The one thing that I saw I was lacking in was being a stronger resource and leader to other teachers within my building. I have always been the person that other teachers come to for tech advice, but I have not provided them with enough opportunities to see how technology (with proper integration and implementation) can positively impact the students and foster more growth for themselves as educators. One way that I can begin to do this would be to provide teachers with more ideas and professional development opportunities with me, and also become more of a mentor to those who need some assistance in this area. By opening the dialogue and giving them the opportunity to become familiar and comfortable with how to use and plan effectively for technology integration, I believe that I can be a better technology leader in my building as well as the resident "expert"

After getting the building administrators on board, my plan to become a more effective technology facilitator and leader is to speak with other teachers in my building, and discuss what they feel are their technology integration needs. The information I plan on receiving is what types of tools they want to learn, how to plan effectively, what the standards are, and educate them on different types that are available for each content, By doing this, I am providing myself with the information necessary to assess the building/teachers needs, and then I can come up with a plan to help them more effectively meet the needs of their students through technology integration. Once that plan is in place, my intention is to implement it, and then provide the teachers with the information, support, development and mentoring they need to better use the technology available to them. In this way, they can begin to use their new skills to best serve student needs, learning goals, and provide tools for them that support better understanding of their content. ************************* Sounds like a great plan, Angela! It is challenging to be a technology leader in your school, but you are on your way! Great reflection!
 * __Intent:__**