Electronic Portfolio

EDUC 215Fall 2011

Mark Boatman

Table of Contents• Personal Information ….…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3

• Teaching Goals ..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4

• Role of Technology ..……………………….…………………………………………………………………………….. 5

• Technology Use in my Classroom ..….…………………………………………………………………………….. 6

• Word Processing ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7

• Telecommunications ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8

• Spreadsheets ..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9

• Presentation Software ………………………………………………………………………………………………..... 10

• Internet Uses ..………..……………………………………………………………………………………………..……… 11

• Recommended Sites ..……………………………………………………………………………………………..…….. 12

Personal Information

• My name is Mark Boatman and I’m 25 years old.

• I have been married for 2 years to my beautiful wife Morgan, and we have an energetic Border Collie mix named Finnley.

• I’ve always lived in the Pacific Northwest

• I graduated from the University of Idaho with a B.S. in Anthropology in 2008

• I love the hiking, playing the drums, and watching Jeopardy.

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Teaching Goals

• My immediate goals after entering the teaching profession are not as specific as some of my other goals, but will encompass what I want to accomplish throughout my career.

• I hope to hit the ground running as a new teacher, promoting an academically engaged learning environment, with critical thinking, a desire to participate, and shared knowledge as the cornerstones of my classroom.

• I am currently in the process of attaining a second Bachelor’s or possible Master’s degree in Education.

• Until recently I was unsure of whether I wanted to teach at the Elementary of Secondary level, but I’ve tentatively decided that teaching Middle School would provide its own exciting challenges and opportunities. I have always had a passion for history and government, and would love to share that passion with Middle School age students.

• Once I become an experienced teacher I would strive to become a department chair, and work as an intermediary between fellow teachers and administrators.

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Role of TechnologyTechnology has become commonplace for teachers and students in today’s schools. It is a vital tool that can help the teacher to be more efficient in a technical aspect, but also to connect with students in fresh and relevant ways. Technology can help reinforce a lesson and also potentially distract from a lesson. An effective teacher knows how to integrate technology into the classroom in a way that keeps students engaged and fosters and positive learning environment. Technology is constantly evolving, which has its benefits and drawbacks in today's classrooms. Computers, software, and the world wide web provide faster and potentially more in depth information, which with the correct guidance is right at the fingertips of the student. A potential drawback would be if you let the influx of technology to distract from everyday instruction. I believe the challenge for a modern teacher in incorporating technology into their teaching format, could be to have a balanced approach (technology is useful in some aspects, but not all), and to keep up with the students on technological advances.

Bloom’s Taxonomy: Technology

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Use in my ClassroomThe use of technology in the classroom is very prevalent

in today’s classrooms, and will probably be even more prevalent when I begin a career as a teacher. I believe

that when technology, such as computers, television, websites, document cameras, etc. definitely are

beneficial tools for the teacher and promoting academic learning when used at appropriate times. Although

sometimes frustrating, computer have expanded the possibilities for today’s teachers. One such benefit is

the ability to store and save lessons and resources from years past, which allows teachers to compile and

improve upon lessons taught previously. I believe that technology not only aids in an academically engaged

classroom environment, but also promotes a fun interactive atmosphere for students. As a teacher I will

try to have a multi-dimensional approach striving to integrate the use of tablets and iPads, various software,

E-books, video recording and editing, internet resources, and Webquests. Ideally, in my classroom

technology will be used to promote competent, responsible, better educated individuals, with a

foundation for future success.

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Word Processing• Microsoft Word is a tool that we all use to some degree both in and out

of the classroom, and I hope to utilize the program for many different things when I become a teacher.

• I will use it for some of the more obvious reasons such as creating lesson plans, writing up announcements, creating agendas, contacting colleagues and administrators.

• Besides obvious student uses such as drafting papers and reports, I learned that I could have students use it for creating brochures and visual aids, creating outlines, and give them immediate feedback on ongoing papers using the comments tool. Word Processing applications can also be used to expand vocabulary in any written work, using the Thesaurus function

• I like the idea of creating certificates of achievement for students that complete a certain task or grasp a certain concept.

• Another great idea would be to have students create a newsletter to reflect what they are learning at the time in the different subjects. It could be formatted to look like a traditional newspaper, or make it dramatic and eye-popping like a National Enquirer. This project would allow the student’s to look back and analyze what they have taken away from the class as it progresses, which would in turn allow me to evaluate if they are paying attention and grasping what is being taught. I would also have the students present the newsletter to their parents, so that the parents know what their child is learning.

• In my classroom students will be able to use Word to broaden their knowledge of technology, and how certain programs like MS Word can be used in various avenues.

Back to School Newsletter

Words & Standards Grid

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Telecommunications• An avenue for the use of telecommunications is to create a class website

or blog. This would allow students and parents immediate access to class content, maintain an open line of communication, showcase students’ work, and provide a focus and extra dimension to teaching.

• Websites like YouTube, National Geographic, PBS, and other streaming video sites can reinforce a particular lesson.

• Another learning opportunity is to access newspapers and articles via the internet. I would start off each week with “current events”, with an article related to each content area.

• Webquests are one way to use the internet in education. They promote group inquiry and collaborative learning, with division of labor among students who take on specific roles. They can help students in critical thinking and achieving greater analytical skills.

• Another beneficial use is through Social Media outlets, which provide a link to people around the world (such as Global Schoolhouse) I think a good use of Social Media would be to utilize the global link of various cultures around the world such as, using Facetime to link your classroom with one from another country. This would allow your students to learn and interact with students from around the world, and create a global learning environment.

• Email can be a teacher’s “best friend”, with the ability to stay in contact with students and parents. It can also be used to consult with an expert or fellow teacher about a particular topic or lesson.Glog Webquest

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Spreadsheets

• Spreadsheets are a great way to organize and track data.

• Students would also utilize spreadsheets in my classroom for categorizing and tracking information, such as documenting aspects of the weather each day. Using functions such as charts and graphs, students would be able to see how aspects of weather fluctuate from day to day.

• I would use spreadsheets for recording grades and then calculating percentages for final grades.

• Another use would be to compile and track an inventory list of class materials and supplies.

• Another “real world” application for students would be to allow them to create a mock budget to learn about income, purchasing, and consumer science.

Gradebook Activity

M&Ms Graphing

Week 8 Reflections

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Presentation Software• Presentation tools such as PowerPoint or Prezi provide a

great way to deliver a lesson, and recall information throughout a lesson. Also, I would provide outlines of my PowerPoints to students so that they could add any notes they thought were useful.

• A fun group project involving PowerPoint, would be to have the students create a class presentation with each group contributing a few slides.

• I would love to be able to use a document camera or interactive white board in my classroom. There is nothing wrong with overhead projectors, but new technologies such as these are more user friendly, save time, and are more interactive.

• I would also utilize digital video for projects such as preparing a class newscast on an event, either current or historical, with students presenting the material, and then sharing the newscasts on the class website for parents to see.

Content Area Slide ShowBack to School Slideshow

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Internet Uses

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Favorite Internet Sites

Site 1 Site 2• Inspiring Teachers focuses on

motivating, encouraging, and training new teachers.

• The website includes different resources based upon level of experience in teaching.

• My favorite aspect of the website is access to free teaching tips newsletters and the “Classroom Resources” tab.– Includes website and book

recommendations by subject.

• Education World is a very informative website containing various resources for teachers.

• The website is very interactive, and content is broken down into Teachers, Administrators, Lesson Plans, Technology, Professional Development, and ED World Community

• My favorite aspect of the website is the ability to connect with other educators via video, forums, blogs, etc. I also like the free newsletters that address various topics in the teaching realm, and the “Teaching Tip of the Day”.

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