1. Why did you choose the PD module you chose?
I chose to enter grad school and obtain my masters in literacy in order to further develop my knowledge of literacy instruction, strategies, and best practices. I hope that by obtaining my masters I will better understand how to help all students in all areas of literacy. 

2. What has surprised you so far with your chosen PD module?
So far the data has surprised me the most. One of my classes is a global research class and in this class we study global research that surround trends in education. I have had MANY moments during my hours of reading that have made me stop and go "huh"...there are many countries/cities (Singapore!) that are doing education very well and reading some of the things that they do has been very eye opening. I have also read research regarding school violence that has surprised me, with the US falling below the global average in school violence.  So many things have been surprising and eye opening while reading through the many global research findings.

3. What has had real meaning?
The research in my global research class surrounding homework and two strategies (consensus boards and social issues) in my literacy development class have both had real meaning. I was able to take he reading and research surrounding homework, reflect, and apply it to my classroom this year. I have also taken two strategies from my literacy strategies class and have used them in my classroom this year in reading and in social studies.  My students know when I get ideas from my "classes" and love that I am bringing things that I learn at "school" back to them at their school! :)

There are many engaging and exciting apps for students to use to share what they have learned while putting their own creative spin on their presentation.  This will get kids excited about presenting what they have learned and engaged in class! I can see many great ways to use this in science and may try out some new apps on for our upcoming science unit on ecosystems where students will complete an independent project.

What has surprised you so far with your chosen PD module?
One of the classes I’m taking this semester is about issues surrounding global and urban education.  We have recently been learning about how the U.S. compares to other countries with regard to school violence.  In a study conducted in 1995, the U.S. was ranked in the middle.  The countries of Korea and Canada had higher rates of violence than the U.S.  With all of the violent episodes that have happened over the last 20 years, I would think that the U.S. would have placed higher in the rankings across nations.

What has had real meaning?
One of the most meaningful things I have read was in a book titled Teaching in the Flat World by Linda Darling-Hammond and Robert Rothman.   Chapter 2 discussed teacher pay and how that relates to teacher effectiveness.   Specifically, how less-qualified teachers tend to be found in schools serving low income and minority students.  Teaching was found to be the 2^nd largest occupation in the nation; however, U.S. teachers earn only 60% of what the average college graduate earns.  I believe that if a U.S. teacher’s salary was increased, higher qualified teachers would definitely lead to higher student achievement in the areas where they are needed most.

Why did you choose the PD module you chose?

 

I chose the Apple Teacher PD because I wanted to get more ideas on how I can incorporate technology into my classroom. It is easy to register and assign students to online programs, but there is so much more to technology than placing students on educational apps. I am not that familiar with all that apple has to offer, so I am looking to learn how I can implement technology into my lessons beyond apps. 

 

What has surprised you so far with your chosen PD module?

 

I was surprised with how easily I was able to pick up on how to use some of the features on the iPad. I always assumed creating documents on a computer were easier, but highlighting, dragging, and editing on the iPad was simple once I got the hang of it.  I was also surprised with how much the iPad has to offer.

 

What's a new way you can be creative in class and enhance your student’s excitement?

 

While creating the report in pages, I was thinking about how much my students would love creating reports on topics they are interested. In the past, I have done a reporting period long project about what the students wanted to be when they grew up. They researched, made a book, and presented to the class. I would love to do the same thing only research on the iPads and create a report in pages.

 

 

 

I chose the Apple Certified Teacher PD because I do not have a lot of experience with technology in my classroom. I would like to learn more about how I might use the iPad to support learning and instruction beyond learning apps/games. I consider myself an apple person and feel fairly comfortable with the operating system but I have not had much experience with Pages, Numbers, or Keynote. I usually default to Microsoft or Google to create documents or slides. 

What has surprised you so far with your chosen PD module?

So far, I am surprised by how much the Apple programs can do and how the iBooks walk you through the process. In the past, I have tried to work in Pages or Keynote and have been frustrated because I didn’t know how to maneuver through the program to get the results I wanted. The iBooks are set up in a way to walk you through building a brochure or creating a presentation. Having the experience of creating something while being taught the program has helped me. 

How will this PD inform your instruction and impact your students in the future?

This PD has already taught me things about using the iPad that I didn’t know and I’m only halfway through the program. I have not only learned about the programs, but also about the iPad itself. With this knowledge, I would like to use the iPad to enhance my instruction and student learning. 

I chose the Apple Certified Teacher PD so that I could learn new ways to use my Apple products and to become more fluent with the different tools that are available to help me in my classroom. Our family uses Apple products at home, however we tend to stick with the systems and processes that we already know. Each year, Apple invests much time and energy with updating their software and adding new tools & systems that can help me be more efficient as a teacher. I am looking forward to learning new strategies that will help me both at home and in the classroom. 

 

The modules I have taken so far have been very informative! I learned that Quicktime player is not only for playing pre-recorded video and audio files but it can also be used as a versatile recording tool. Another feature I didn’t realize was available on my computer is the Mission Control button. For years I have been using my dock to help me navigate between open websites and programs. I never realized that there was a button on my keyboard that would allow me to see everything open on my computer all at one time. This little button alone is sure to be a game-changer! 

 

I am looking forward to learning more about what my Mac has to offer. I see some great opportunities in becoming more efficient with creating documents, newsletters and presentations for my classroom. I also think that these new skills will help me better collaborate with my colleagues on lesson plans and team documents.  

 

 

What has had real meaning?

We read a chapter in one of our books on the idea behind homework. It really got me thinking about the current homework I assign my students, and had me contemplating my own philosophy on homework. I questioned whether the assignments I assign are necessary for student growth and development, and if homework is beneficial for students in younger grades.

I chose to do the Apple Certified teacher because I feel there is a gap in my knowledge with Apple. I am very good with google and all of the things it has to offer. However, with Apple and especially the Ipads I just know basics. Since technology is a high motivator I want to learn more so I can be a more effective teacher for my students. 

I am hoping to gain more knowledge of how my students and I can use the ipdas to help increase their learning throughout the year. Technology can be a resource to help students with independent task on skills they need to practice more to move to the next level. This year for kids club, another staff member and myself are doing photography club. I am hoping to pick up some tips to help our club members explore photography using the ipads.

 

Being an apple certified teacher will help in all the ways to promote Digital Learning Competencies. However, my personal outcome goal is to help in this specific area: Digital Content and Instruction Teachers with these two areas in mind; 

1.Lead all students in becoming active participants in setting educational goals, managing learning, and assessing their progress through digital tools. 

2.Identify, evaluate, and utilize appropriate digital tools and resources to challenge students to create, think critically, solve problems, establish reliability, communicate their ideas, collaborate effectively.