Ashley's+Self-Assessment

Ashley Levesque Self-Assessment


 * Target areas:**

· **Developing technology** o Teachers use email and sometimes other technology application (e.g., e-newsletters, websites), to regularly convey info to parents (e.g., announcements, HW assignments, grades).
 * 1. Communicate w/parents or guardians**

· **Developing technology** o Teacher has participated in professional development activities related to the integration of technology into instruction, and continues to seek out additional opportunities for professional development or information sharing with colleagues.
 * 2. Advance professional knowledge**

After completion of the self-assessment on the EdTech Locator at the CITED site I was able to understand and identify two specific target areas that I could improve upon as a professional educator in my field. My lowest scores overall out of all the different individual responsibilities ranged under the following areas: Communicate with Parents and Guardians and Advance Professional Knowledge. My scores in these two areas ranged from 4-7 points. The destination road map determined my scores in the Developing Tech range. As an educator it is vital for me to communicate on a daily basis with my student’s parents in order to provide feedback on a student’s daily progress, behavior, updates on class work implemented, questions and concerns, etc. I have not taken full advantage of further ways I can communicate information through the variety of technology applications available. More than ever technology is advancing and accommodating students and professionals to meet a variety of needs. The advanced technology available today serves to help me as an educator when teaching and interacting with my student population –severely autistic students. As a professional I’ve realized that there is much more that I can engage myself in to further my awareness of technology in order to better reach goals for my students. I have participated in professional development activities but not to the fullest because of timing, balancing work and graduate school. There is an abundant of resources conveniently on the internet regarding advancement in technology being used. Also, there are ways to engage in collaborative activities with other professionals more conveniently in order to advance my overall professional knowledge.

· Communicate with Parents and Guardians

o [|www.voicethread.com]

§ This application would allow me and parents / caregivers communicate through a vast array of informational pieces. For example, I can upload a word doc, videos: showing a field a recent field trip, an in class project, student involvement, etc., pictures, and power points of weekly lesson plans that are presented to students. The most informative piece is that I and anyone else can leave a recording piece to a thread created. For instance, I can upload a vocal recording when leaving a comment or explanation and so can caregivers. With one voice thread all caregivers can be involved at once; recording comments, sharing, and uploading pieces as well. This visual and vocal piece of this application is very helpful in communicating more clearly and keeping parents updated on their child. § Registration is free and using the application is as well. Also, parents and caregivers can be guided through tutorials on the site for further explain on voice threads. § Currently at school I communicate with parents through phone calls (when needed) and home notes that students bring back and fourth between home and school. I look forward to using voice thread instead of sending multiple home notes back and fourth for each student.

o []

I can build my own class homepage website with this tool which would help my communication with parents across one setting. For example, I can up load current information on lessons being taught in class, photos community trips, arts and crafts from the classroom, videos, a listing of classroom books, resource links for parents, blog discussions, how the classroom is organized, a question and comment section for family members to refer to, etc There is also resourceful information on lesson plans, strategies, printable material, books, and other links and tips that will be helpful when teaching particular topics. Family members that are able to refer to my class homepage will be constantly updated on what is being taught, and learned with a clearer perception than text sent home on paper through a home note.

o [] § YackPack is a resourceful application because it is another simpler and clearer way in communicating. This site is convenient in allowing people to log onto a chat if invited, listen or communicate recordings back and fourth with others: teacher, and other caregivers of students in the classroom. Teachers and all caregivers can be supportive with feedback to one another by sharing ideas, etc. As an educator I can use this application to grade work, answer questions, collaborate with other educators, give assessments, etc. There are blogs that can be posted by other educators on a variety of topics, webinars, free educational newsletters, a Tech Forum that holds presentations and information regarding professional educational topics. § YackPack conveys the expressiveness of voice. Pictures of people logged into a chat are shown so that others are aware of who they can communicate with and contact. Recordings of all messages from people in a chat are stored and can be retrieved for any reason. Clear communication is difficult with text alone and that is why I feel YackPack is a vital tool to use as an educator.

· Advance Professional Knowledge

o []

§ This site offers ways for me to further my knowledge in adaptive technology for a classroom through conferences and workshops online. For example there is a link included called SNOW Chat and Learn where topics on adaptive technology and a variety of others are discussed weekly online along with updated articles, videos and audio clips. Discussions and information on this topic and others in my field will keep me updated and well informed of current AT, etc. There are educational resources to refer to such as teaching strategies, special programs, disabilities and special needs, education networks. The site offers resources for parents as well with recreational opportunities and additional guidance that I can learn and refer parents to.

o [] § Tech and Learning will clarify and provide me with information on AT (Assistive technology) resources for my special needs students. Specifically with names of AT devices, links for further information, descriptions and prices. For example, if I’m looking for literacy support the site lists, inexpensive to more expensive products that could accommodate a learner. There are blogs posted by other educators on different topics, webinars, free educational newsletters, a Tech Forum that holds presentations and information regarding professional educational topics.

o [] § This resource is focused on supporting families, organizations, and programs working with youth that have disabilities. Information on this site can keep me updated on assistive and instructional technologies for my students. I can provide my students families with information that would better support their child and refer them to resources made available on this site. There are organizations that I can join on specific topics to further my involvement and knowledge as a sped educator, online discussions, fact sheets and power points on AT that I can forward and refer to family members and myself.

o [] § On National Center for Technology Innovation will provide me with currents updates on technology devices, professional conferences, a library of videos to better help me understand the implementation of AT strategies and how to overcome technology challenges that others have insights on. I like how this site can refer you to other databases as well that link to the same topic.

The resources listed above will be helpful in increasing and improving the quality of communication with parents and guardians as well as advancing me with professional knowledge. These resources can be shared and referred to any professional, student, family member or educator involved with special needs children and others who need accommodations made for success.

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 * New Media - Think outside the box**

Please view my VoiceThread links for a more up close caption.

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