Section 7 New Directions in IDT

1. What learning goals or objectives could the technologies you selected help learners foster? How can the technology facilitate attainment of that learning goal better than traditional instruction? How soon will you adopt or implement the chosen technology to your instruction or work? How can design concepts or principles apply to your preparation? What would be difficult or challenging, if any, and what is your strategy to resolve or alleviate them?

Digital Games or Simulations
With games and simulations I have learned that learners tend to have an involvement in the lesson that they may not normally have during a regular instruction. Playing a game ignites something different in the mind of a lecture or something close to the sort. With games and/or simulations learners feel the need to keep their mind up to speed with the task at hand. Games are occasionally used in my classroom to help my students to review information and to help me assess if the lesson I presented was successful. Since my curriculum is so broad and I can really teach it anyway I would like I tend to only do review games when I feel that the students may be struggling with a certain area or if they aren't as engaged in the activity as I would like for them to be. The only difficulty that may come with this is making sure that the students won't get too used to only participating or being engaged when a game is present.

Reusable design or learning objects
There's no secret that I like to refer to my class as "Life 101." I only do this because I try to teach my students valuable lessons that they may be able to use in the long run. One life lesson that I feel that I have to continue to teach each of my students is how other subjects will benefit them in the future. I allow students to come to me with homework lessons from that of other subjects and I try to help them as best I can. In my own curriculum I inform students that what type of subjects they need to be strong in in order to be successful in certain careers. This way I still tying in other subjects with my curriculum and students get a chance to actually see why their success in the other subjects are important.

2. Section IX focuses on issues related to instructional design, rather than new technologies: professional ethics, diversity and accessibility, the nature of design, and providing instructional guidance. Select two chapters that you find most relevant or interesting. For the technologies you selected above, discuss how each of those two chapters can apply from this section (e.g., What ethical issues using the technology might present. Does the technology enhance or impose accessibility and accommodate diverse learning needs? How and/or can you design more effective instruction or learning using that technology? How much guidance would instruction with that technology require? What kinds of guidance would be necessary?)

Chapter 30 and Chapter 33 relate best to the technologies that I have chosen. Both show great reflection on what I try to teach in my day-to-day instruction. Children love games so I always try to throw them in to keep my students engaged and involved in the lessons. On the other hand I use cross-curriculum references to make connections that my students can appreciate. This approach tends to help my students who may be low achievers look at lessons differently and may ignite them to try to put their best foot forward during instruction. These techniques don't require too much deviation from a lesson that may already be planned (I tend to be quick on my feet). You just need to be willing to understand your students and how to reach them in the classroom. Once you have learned them, implications to help them learn won't be too hard to change on the spot to make your lesson effective.

Section 6: Getting an IDT Position and Succeeding at It

I am currently an 8th grade Exploring Careers in Aldine ISD. Many are not familiar with what this class entails so let me explain. I like to call my class 'Life 101," just because I get to teach the students everything they need to know about life that I was never taught in school such as the following: 

• How to budget money (write checks, balance checkbook, open bank account)

• How to create a resume'

• How to fill out a job application

• Correct ways to answer interview questions

• Research different careers based on survey results

• How to search for scholarships

• College majors

• How to apply for college and financial aid

• Creation of high-school plan (most stressful part for me)

With my current position I fall in the Career and Technology Department in Aldine ISD. So of course my students and I deal with technology on the daily basis and I always feel the need to constantly better myself in everything I do which is why I decided to obtain my masters degree in Educational Technology. I always teach my students that they must perfect their craft in whatever they choose to do in life so I knew I needed to practice what I preach to them. I always look forward and try to figure out the next step/goal in life so I never become complacent so ultimately I feel that I am also preparing myself to become a college professor :) but, who knows where life will lead me. I never thought in a million years that I would be a teacher let alone going back to school to obtain my masters but, here I am!

Since last year was my first year of being an educator I can not compare my campus to any other campus. However, I have heard the horror stories of principals, colleagues and other admins throughout other schools and I must say I have been blessed! I have a principal that is understanding and willing to provide any assistance/opportunity that you could ask for. And as far as the CTE Department on my campus they have been absolutely amazing, supportive and helpful throughout my transition into this field (they are the reason I came back for a second year). Of course, my workplace may have it's ups and downs but, what school/occupation doesn't? The good definitely outweighs the bad currently and I couldn't be happier. What I have now is an environment that I hope to always be in for the workplace. Maybe, I feel this way about my work environment due to my outlook/perspective on things. I always try to keep a great attitude and overlook the things that aren't so great. This attribute isn't something I learned overnight and surely isn't something I was born with which is why I consider it a great quality about myself and I hope the individuals I work with or come across will say the same about me.

I'm not enrolled in a masters program to necessarily gain any praise or a promotion from it but to set a goal and accomplish it for myself. If opportunities present themselves after this milestone is over than so be it but, I'm just wanting that little girl in me to say, "You have become the woman you always dreamed of being. You said you would do something and no matter the obstacle and how hard it looked you did it."

-Jaquelia