New Directions in IDT

Emerging Technologies for IDT

When utilizing technology in the classroom or in the IDT field it is important to remember best practices and the purpose for utilizing technology. Below are some technologies I have used and what I am currently using in the classroom setting:

Digital Games or Simulations
As an interventionist I am constantly trying to find effective ways to integrate technology during my small group instruction. The days I find it most useful are on Mondays when I implement phonics instruction and Fridays when we do MAP/STAAR prep for. On Mondays I use games or simulations to work through Phonics instruction. Currently my favorite app is Phonics Awareness, Homophone Match and Fabuwords. On Fridays, my students as well as I like to play on apps like Inference Ace and Main Idea (from the creators of Inference Ace). I think digital games or simulations offer enhancements to traditional methods. Is it better? Maybe. Is is worse? I don't think so. I think digital games and simulations prepare my students to navigate through concepts while giving them skills they may utilize in the future.

Rich Media 

In the past as well as he present I continuously incorporate video, animation, and audio into my instruction whether it is whole group or small group. Rich media has been integrated in various concepts that I have taught from reading to science  to social studies. Some of the various tools I have used range form Brain Pop, Discovery Education, You Tube, Power Videos and more. I believe rich media does offer affordances that traditional instruction does not such as showing real life events that students are not able to see right in front of their face as well as offer multiple ways it can be viewed or heard. Is it the only way to teach? No, but it definitely has its advantages.

Networks or Web 2.0

Collaboration is an essential process and skill that all learners must obtain to be successful in the real world. Web 2.0 applications allow for this by  allowing for students to interact with data. In my classroom we utilized applications such as Google Docs, Blendspace, and STEMscopes. Through these applications students were able to gather research, manipulate data and work together to further their learning. I think that networks and Web 2.0 offer affordances that traditional instruction because they allow the students to interact with technological tools and skills that may very well be needed when they enter the adult world.

Issues Related to Instructional Design

Professional ethics, diversity & accessibility, the nature of design and providing instructional guidance are all issues related to IDT. When deciding to utilize technology in the classroom setting these issues can arise. In correlation with the uses of technology I would like to address each  issue as it pertains to the technology uses I have listed above.

• Professional Ethics- I feel that all of the technology tools listed above are professionally ethical as long a students are being monitored by the teacher and administration. In addition, I feel that technologies mentioned above are ethical because they do not replace my instruction with my students but rather enhance it therefore I am not placing technology so that I don't have to teach. 

• Diversity and Accessibility- Although any type of technology usage can be difficult when taking into consideration the access student need to have as well as their diverse needs it is important to be mindful of these qualities when developing instruction that includes technology. I believe the technologies listed above are appropriate to use with students as long as I stay mindful to the audience I am teaching. The majority of the population that I teach is low socioeconomic and Hispanic.When developing activities that use technology I must always keep in mind my students background and prior knowledge to better serve them and use technology more efficiently. 

• The Nature of Design- I believe that the design on how I instruct my students utilizing the technology is appropriate because the technology is used to advance and improve instruction. The technology above is not used all at one time therefore it is used to further learning and enhance meaningful learning experiences but it is not the root of the instruciton that takes place. 

• Instructional Guidance- When first implementing these technologies I found that lots of instructional guidnace is needed to help students attain the skills they need to utilize it. It has proven to be stressful and intense but it is well as worth the effort put in once you see how students are effectively and efficiently using technology. 

Overall, I believe that educational technology is effective and needed in today's instruction. In order for students to thrive and be successful they must know how to use technology as well as know its advantages. However if we are to implement technology we must mindful of the design of our instruction, the diversity and accessibility of our audience, instructional guidance and professional ethics. Technology can be a great tool to utilize in the classroom as long as it is used appropriately and efficiently.

Getting an IDT Position and Succeeding at It

My Background

I am currently in my ninth year of education and my sixth year in teaching. For three years I was a substitute teacher, for two years I was a fifth grade science/social studies/guided reading teacher, for three years I was a sixth grade science/guided reading teacher and I am currently a k-5 interventionist that works with small groups of students primarily in reading and math. I am currently in my second to last semester of grad school where I am obtaining my M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction. I would eventually like to obtain an instructional coach position specifically focusing on science, technology integration or intervention.

IDT

When I originally set out to obtain my M.Ed. I wanted to be a curriculum coordinator mostly because at the job I was in then, there was not much curricular support and I wanted to change that. Although, now that I am approaching graduation I am finding my self leaning more towards instructional support and helping educators in the classroom address their weaknesses and enhance their strengths. Over the years I have found the people who are most helpful to me are those who are in my classroom telling me what I need to work on and how I can make my instruction better and that is where I want to be. Right now I honestly love my job and I can't see myself wanting to do anything but intervention for the next few years but when I am ready I would like to venture into the job role of an instructional coach specifically working with science, technology integration or interventionists.

Throughout my coursework I have completed the three required classes for my degree and have focused my elective classes on  areas in which I would like to provide most support in such as science and technology. Part of the reason why I took this particular course as well as another technology course was so that I could have more background in technology. Through in particular I have obtained a lot of valuable information that I think will help me to become successful instructional coach and look forward to implementing a lot of the concepts and frameworks that we have discussed over the semester.

Professional Organizations

 Professional organizations that I think would beneficial for me to participate in are:

NSTA (National Science Teachers Association)
STAT (Science Teacher Association of Texas)
ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education)
TCEA (Texas Computer Education Association)
ACTE (Association for Career and Technical Education)
ISEA (International STEM Education Association)

I believe participating in a few if not all of these organizations would further my professional development and increase my knowledge post- graduation. The journals and articles from these organization help me greatly and could be passed along to other educators to help enhance their instruction and overall capacity to teach as well as learn.