Technology Self Assessment: School 2 .0

Using the School 2.0 website, I assessed my ability and use of technology, demonstrating the use of NETS IV. I then picked a Nets-T assessment to analyze by summarizing an article. The Nets-T assessment that I investigated is: Nets-T 2- Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments. I chose to research this Nets T because it is very important and it is something that I need help with.

         The Nets T 2 standard addresses that all teachers should have the ability to design and develop teaching lessons/experiences with technology. The resource that stood out to me was EduScapes, as it is a website that teachers can use to gain new ideas and gain new resources.

         EduScapes (http://eduscapes.com/index.htm) is a website that allows for teachers to be educated in the realm of technology. This website offers project ideas and many resources that teachers can use to better their own technological abilities. They also offer their own technology courses as well. One thing that I learned is that there is a new National Educational Technology Plan 2010 to improve the learning of students in the education systems under 5 essential components: learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity. The three common things to do with technology to help reach this plan is to simply rediscover content, rediscover context, and to rediscover computing. Content and context practically go together, being that content for a job requirement (professional tasks) holds a real-world context. Computing ties along with the idea that learning is not determined from a certain gadget, it is determined from how you use that gadget. Understanding this information can be crucial for the correct usage of technology with students. An example for doing this could be:

     A Law/ Government Class(http://www.eduscapes.com/sessions/context/, 2010):

• Content. Use of online resources such as infographics for learning such as How Laws are Made.
• Context. Use the Battlefront: Campaigners on a Mission website as a place to find real-world needs and consider where laws need to be made.
• Computing. Use the Thomas website to make contacts, track real bills, and share findings.

       EduScapes is a website that can greatly help teachers and future educators. This website provides useful resources for educators and current technological guidelines that need to be followed. Teachers using this website can stay up to date with technology and constantly gain new ideas and knowledge.