Kathryn Lacker's Portfolio Page

ETAP 623 Spring 2023 (Zhang) | Technology Toolbox

About Me

Hi, my name is Kathryn Lacker! I am from Rockland County where I have lived my entire life, until I went away to college.

I just recently graduated from Mount Saint Mary's College in May 2022 with a certification in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and a Bachelor's in Mathematics. I am also certified in Middle School Education (Grades 5-9).

I am currently in my second semester at The University at Albany currently working towards my Master's in Curriculum Development and Instructional Design. While I do that I am also substitute teaching at the school district I went through when I was growing up!

My Topic and Purpose

As an elementary teacher, my philosophy has always been that every single student learns in a different way and, therefore, deserves to be taught in such a manner. It is difficult, sometimes, to find an online platform that is compatible with not only all types of learners but also all ages.

As someone who has a math focus, I have always been so interested in finding ways to create a richer experience for all types of students in hopes of engaging them and enhancing their learning experience in general. For this reason, the topic that I chose to use for this course is Teaching With Technology. In this course I will talk about the multiple different platforms of technology that can be utilized when creating and teaching lessons. I have always been interested in discovering more about how to better my teaching and, my hope is that through creating this course, I will be able to discover technology, learning platforms and other resources that can help, not only to create a more engaging and productive lesson for the students, but also to hopefully create the best experience possible for all types of students.

Scope of Learning Outcomes and Content

It is my goal that this course will help to increase instructors’ knowledge and skills in incorporating instructional technology into the classroom and their lessons. According to LSU Newsroom Articles, "As the modern world becomes more digitized, tech literacy is becoming increasingly important [therefore] Teachers who use technology to support learning in meaningful ways can help prepare students for success in the digital era" (2020).

Throughout this course you will learn about different types of platforms, the benefits of using instructional technology as well as the pros and cons of using technology when teaching.

The attitude of this course is an instructional/informative one where all educators are able to learn about instructional technology and how to use in in their everyday classrooms in order to better instruction. It is my hope that after the exploration of this course, the reader will come out with more knowledge and motivation on using technology in the classroom.

Needs Assessment

• The educational opportunity of helping educators to learn how to involve instructional technology in their teaching. The need to introduce multiple platforms for instructional technology. The need to learn how to use said instructional technology.
• The participants who will be taking this min-course will be educators who are trying to learn more about how to integrate instructional technology into their teaching.
• Analysis of gaps (know vs. need to know):
  • Know how to generally use computers and technology vs. Need to know how to use instructional technology specifically.
  • Know how to create a lesson plan vs. Need to know how to incorporate instructional technology into their plans.
• Existing efforts that are being made to address this gap are:
  • Introducing instructional technology platforms
  • Making tutorial on how to use said instructional technology platforms.
  • Introducing various ways to use instructional technology into the classroom.
• Intent statement: This mini-course will help the participants (educators) in addressing their need to create a more interactive and engaging lesson using the instructional technology platforms that will be used and taught through this mini-course.

Analysis of the Learner and Context

• Participants: The participants of this mini-course will be educators who want to learn more about how to make their math lessons more engaging for their learners through the use of instructional technology.
• Prior Knowledge and Skills: Prior to starting this course, the participants will need to know the basics of computer use (i.e. search engines, Microsoft platforms, Google Drive platforms, etc.). They will also have to understand the basics of creating/ implementing lessons plans, such as assessing, creating goals and understanding standards.
• Setting of Use: The participants will follow and learn this course through this online platform, KNILT at whatever speed or time frame they choose as well as documenting their progress in a template. In the future, the participants will be able to use the skills and knowledge they acquire from this course in their future instructional settings.
• Goals: After completing this course, it is the goal that the participants will be able to understand and use instructional technology in their math classroom and lessons plans. It is the hope that the participants' classrooms and math lessons will better their own students' learning experiences and outcomes.

Performance-Based Objectives

After completing this mini-course, learners will be able to:

• Identify multiple different types of instructional technology that can be used in the classroom.
• Describe importance of instructional technology in the math classroom.
• Understand how to incorporate instructional technology platforms into math lessons.
• Apply knowledge by creating lesson plans of their own, incorporating multiple different instructional technology platforms.

Task and Content Analysis

Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills Required:

Before entering this course the participants should be able to:

1. Navigate basic computer usage skills.
2. Knowledge on how to successfully create a lesson based on students' skill level and standards.

Unit 1: Introduction into Technology Toolbox

After this unit the participants will be able to...

• Introducing different instructional technology platforms and their benefits.
• Learn how these platforms can benefit instruction in the classroom.

Participants will contribute to an editable copy of a provided template they will add to throughout the course.

Unit 2: Instructional Technology in the Math Classroom

After this unit the participants will be able to..

• Describe the importance/ benefits that instructional technology can bring into the math classroom
• Identify how to incorporate the multiple learned instructional platforms into the math classroom
• Align a lesson they are planning to create with the appropriate standards using instructional technology.

Participants will select an instructional platform of their choice and elaborate on the benefits of it/ why they chose that platform.

Unit 3: How to Incorporate Instructional Technology

During this unit the participants will...

• Take each component learned throughout the course and apply it through utilizing their platform of choice and creating their own lesson.

Participants will create their own lesson including:

- an instructional technology platform of their choice,

- objectives that align with standards,

- assessments (diagnostic, formative and summative),

- activities that will help to guide students towards accomplishing the learning targets that were previously put in place.

Curriculum Map

References and Resources

How instructional technology can improve the learning process. Instructional Technology Can Improve the Learning Process | LSU Online. (2020, May 8). Retrieved April 12, 2023, from https://online.lsu.edu/newsroom/articles/how-instructional-technology-can- improve-learning-process/