In what ways have you grown as a professional while taking this course? How can you use the knowledge gained to increase your leadership within the corporation?

I feel that I have been exposed to many different avenues of using technology in the classroom.  It has been helpful to have time or place to share with colleagues in the building that I don't always have time to sit and talk with.  I think I can and will be able to apply more from this course when I have access to more technology on a consistent basis.  

Digital Footprint

When I type my name, or Googled, I didn't find any surprises (whew!). I find different posts depending if I use my full name or shortened name. I did see a few images I want to take down, especially ones from Pinterest, but all in all, it was OK.

I think students need to see first hand what can be out there.  I think we need to show them what happens.  I have seen the teachers posting pictures on Facebook to show students how fast a picture travels and how many people can see it, maybe something like that would be a concrete visual for them.  No matter how or what we do to help them understand what the digital footprint is, I think they have to see it themselves, buy into it if you will.
I would have no problem showing students my footprint to establish this understanding in them.

Susie spent hours collecting and curating resources for her upcoming unit on cells. She is able to successfully use much of what she has found when implementing her plans.

The following year, when it is time to begin the unit on cells again, Susie forgets about the resources she curated. She essentially starts from scratch, performing the task of searching, saving, and sorting once again.

Create a plan or provide suggestions for ways to make your curated resources a regular part of your planning.

Susie needs to maker herself a digital folder!  I would suggest a basic folder on her computer or storing it on a flash drive by subject.

She could use Dropbox or Google Drive files to create different subject areas to store information  as well.

The Puzzle of Motivation

After watching the Dan Pink: The Puzzle of motivation video I have more questions than answers.

I can see his point he was making, but when I think of my students in my classroom, I don't agree; completely.

Looking at the area of Autotomy, the urge to direct our own lives, I feel could help my students be successful later in school and life.  

I could increase their motivation by letting them choose how to study (alone, partner, technology device, paper pencil) and how to be assessed on that said skill.  This would be different for each student and would also vary from week to week.  Weekly I could remind them, during private conferences, how the previous week went and what we could do differently.  Ultimately it would be their decisions and they would be responsible for the outcome.

Where am I???

Technology ratings:

1. Where would you rate yourself in each area?
I see myself in a variety of areas across the TIM.  I think it depends on which grade level I am working with at the time.  I am trying to increase the technology activities with my younger students so they are more comfortable using the different devices and programs.

1.  Active--- Adaptation
2. Collaborative--Entry
3. Constructive--Entry
4. Authentic--not sure, I couldn't relate to the sample lessons
5. Goal Directed-I  can see pieces of each one of these lessons, I would like to include more of these weekly

2. Where do you think you could reasonably be at the end of the next grading period?
By the end of this grading period I would like to be able to move out of the entry level, consistently with both first and fourth grade students. 

3. What steps will you need to take in order to make the growth happen?
The steps needed to take to see this happen are having more access to technology, professional development to guide me, and time to plan!  Isn't that what we would all like!

I don't think it is a matter of if I/we will make changes, I think it is when.  I want to make more digital opportunities for my students available daily.  This would include making material available online and more interactive.  One that we are going to try this week is using near pod with grammar.  I think when something is in digital form, the students stay focused longer and and don't always see it as "learning".  I am excited about the changes coming in the next year or so to our school.  I think it will be a positive change for our students and families.

Evolving!
I like the interaction with my peers and reading their thoughts and ideas.  Like Kris said, I too like to work with someone.  Next week I think I will set aside time to do that.