Reed's Reflections

Digital Citizenship is more important now that ever. With the entire state transitioned to remote or distance learning, our students are on the internet more than ever before. Not only are they online more, but students are online at a much younger age than before. Below are two videos to help understand what digital citizenship is and why is is important that our students understand the importance of building a POSITIVE digital footprint now. You can see these and other resources I've gathered for on digital citizenship here .

Ok guys, I get it. I chose to purse Ed Tech so I could become a better teacher. Teaching online? I'm pretty sure I already know that is not going to be gig. So creating this online course has really made me change the way I plan out my lessons. I'm the teacher that has an outline and plan of the lessons and objectives I'm going to teach, but having every lesson in concrete weeks in advance--not my style. I consistently come up with better ways to deliver instruction to my students either based off of something new I've found or to build upon something that happened in class. For this online course, having to have lessons and assignments for Weeks 4 and 5 already posted, this gives me heart palpitations.  I will say that I have enjoy having a more specific outline for students each week, and I definitely see the benefits for having students, including my own child one day, taking an online course before venturing off to college. An online course teaches time management...

I loved getting a chance to look at everyone’s Eportfolio. We’ve spent so much time in discussions in the classes throughout this program that it was great to put a “feel” to each others’ personalities through the layout and designs of Eportfolios. When I first started building mine in Google Sites, I was a little disappointed because I felt like there weren’t very many options for themes. But as I started picking and choosing my own pictures and layout, I felt like I put my own stamp on it. After looking at some of my classmates, each one had a completely different personality to it. It really showcased the COVA approach and how we all seem to find our voice through the blogs and posts. Even though we had the same assignments, none of ours look remotely the same. They are not any copies of each other, which inspires me to want to do the same for my students in my classroom. I feel like students can use this as a creative outlet as well as a place to show their growth as well as contin...

Since my husband (former coach) and I have changed schools several times, I’ve built my own little network of teachers from all over the state. We may not share ideas on social media or through networking sites, but we do share through conversations, emails, and planning collaboration. I hope to gain some more “team members” on my network though this DLL program. I am already texting and emailing with new colleagues from the administration classes. I am a member of TCEA and I am constantly either saving their suggestions. I feel that this particular organization provides the information and the how about programs or apps that I need in order to use them in my classroom.  I also follow many teachers or tech “gurus” as I call them on twitter. I may not be a member of their particular community, but I follow and learn about new programs, apps and approaches from the work they are doing and sharing. This has been beneficial for me when I’m looking for something new or if I’m looki...

I loved getting a chance to look at everyone’s Eportfolio. We’ve spent so much time in discussions in the classes throughout this program that it was great to put a “feel” to each others’ personalities through the layout and designs of Eportfolios. When I first started building mine in Google Sites, I was a little disappointed because I felt like there weren’t very many options for themes. But as I started picking and choosing my own pictures and layout, I felt like I put my own stamp on it. After looking at some of my classmates, each one had a completely different personality to it. It really showcased the COVA approach and how we all seem to find our voice through the blogs and posts. Even though we had the same assignments, none of ours look remotely the same. They are not any copies of each other, which inspires me to want to do the same for my students in my classroom. I feel like students can use this as a creative outlet as well as a place to show their growth as well as conti...

Of course my first reaction to “Who Owns the Eportfolio” was simple, me. I own it. I created it. I picked my colors (from what was available) and my photos (from what I was willing to use or willing to cite) and I picked what was posted (based off of the requirements of my class), but I still chose not to fail, right? But the beauty of our Eportfolios for this program is that we do own it because we are encouraged to complete these assignments through meaningful, authentic learning. The basic start was not my idea because I’m pretty sure that I would’ve never written or created some of the content I was asked to complete if it wasn’t for a class. But I chose how to present it and I put my thoughts and reflections into the content. This made my learning and my reflections relevant. In the article, “Who Owns the Eportfolio,” Harapnuik mentions that the power of reflecting is lost unless we are reflecting on our own ideas. I feel that each part of my Eportfolio is a direct reflection of...

COLLAPSE I already touched on this in a previous post, but as teachers, we are so much more than a one day formal evaluation or the answers to the handful of questions we are asked during an interview. I love how the ePortfolio can give some insight into who we all are as teachers, show personality, and show how we are all in this journey. This can be a great asset when applying for future positions, but I see it as so much more, too. Now that I have started to establish relationships with my classmates, I am excited to learn from their blogs and ePortfolios just as if I've walked into their classroom during my conference or after school to chat about the day. I plan to use this to show snippets into my classroom for others to learn from, but also, I hope to gain suggestions and tips from those who comment. My classroom is no where near where I want it to be as far as integrating technology consistently. I feel these ePortfolios will provide another place I can draw ideas from...

                 Just like the article, “Why Use and Eportfolio?” explains that “grades simply do not reveal skills,” the same can be said of a teacher’s skills in the classroom. I love the idea of an ePortfolio as a place that can showcase my work, my thoughts, and provide some insight into who I am as a teacher. If we believe that our students are more than just a standardized test score, then aren’t we as teachers more than the sum of standardized test scores? The ePortfolio provides a more in-depth look at who I am and what I value in the classroom. The COVA approach doesn’t just sound good in theory, but an ePortfolio allows us to show what the COVA approach looks like in practice.              As I read through these articles, I gained a clearer understanding of the different aspects that the ePortfolio offers for me to showcase to others, but also I can visually see my own transformation. Through the ...