Week Two Reflections

This week, I have been getting more familiar with blogging, google docs, and web pages. I learned how to store documents online using my FTP space at Fairmont state. I love that I can store these documents, even MS Word documents, online where they can accessed anywhere that has internet. I almost don't need diskettes and thumb drives. I say almost because it is still good to have a backup. I have my microphone ready, and I am excited to begin the visual imagery portion of the course. In summary, I am still unfamiliar with a lot of the technology, but I feel more comfortable than last week.

Joshua Arant

Intel Ranking

EDUC 6305

1. Teachers demonstrate a sound understanding of technology operations.

I think that this is the most important standard because it serves as a base for using technology in the classroom and in the professional environment. After all, teachers must be familiar with the technology they are using and teaching others to use. Without this standard, the rest of the standards would be impossible.

2. Teachers understand the issues surrounding the use of technology.

This comes next because I think that it is a specific part of the first standard (the one I ranked #1). Understanding issues surrounding technology is part of understanding technology. Teachers must have a firm understanding of the issues surrounding technology in education and in all areas before attempting to use it in the classroom and teach others to use it.

3. Teachers plan and design effective learning environments supported by technology.

The main job of a teacher is to create effective lessons or lessons that teach students the knowledge and skills specified in the curriculum. It is essential for teachers to use technology to enhance instruction whenever possible. In addition, the importance of technology education is growing exponentially as we progress through the “digital age”

4. Teachers implement curriculum plans that apply technology.

Part of our curriculum standards and objectives (CSOs) now specifies the use of technology, especially in science and math. It is essential that we cover all the CSOs with the students, including those that involve the use of technology.

5. Teachers use technology to enhance their productivity and professional practice.

Teachers are challenged every day to increase the effectiveness of their practices in and out of the classroom. Sometimes, the use of technology can help us improve our practices and make our efforts more efficient and productive.

6. Teachers apply technology for assessment and evaluation.

Technology can use technology to make certain things easier and more efficient, such as grade reporting. In fact, technology can make grade and progress reporting more available to parents and students. The reason I ranked this one last is that it is the only one that I feel is NOT directly related to instruction and effective practices. It os still very important.

Intel Ranking

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhcjqwjv_10gpkm3ddv

My lntel ranking is available online at the above address as well as coped and pasted to this post.


1. Teachers demonstrate a sound understanding of technology operations.

I think that this is the most important standard because it serves as a base for using technology in the classroom and in the professional environment. After all, teachers must be familiar with the technology they are using and teaching others to use. Without this standard, the rest of the standards would be impossible.

2. Teachers understand the issues surrounding the use of technology.

This comes next because I think that it is a specific part of the first standard (the one I ranked #1). Understanding issues surrounding technology is part of understanding technology. Teachers must have a firm understanding of the issues surrounding technology in education and in all areas before attempting to use it in the classroom and teach others to use it.

3. Teachers plan and design effective learning environments supported by technology.

The main job of a teacher is to create effective lessons or lessons that teach students the knowledge and skills specified in the curriculum. It is essential for teachers to use technology to enhance instruction whenever possible. In addition, the importance of technology education is growing exponentially as we progress through the “digital age”

4. Teachers implement curriculum plans that apply technology.

Part of our curriculum standards and objectives (CSOs) now specifies the use of technology, especially in science and math. It is essential that we cover all the CSOs with the students, including those that involve the use of technology.

5. Teachers use technology to enhance their productivity and professional practice.

Teachers are challenged every day to increase the effectiveness of their practices in and out of the classroom. Sometimes, the use of technology can help us improve our practices and make our efforts more efficient and productive.

6. Teachers apply technology for assessment and evaluation.

Technology can use technology to make certain things easier and more efficient, such as grade reporting. In fact, technology can make grade and progress reporting more available to parents and students. The reason I ranked this one last is that it is the only one that I feel is NOT directly related to instruction and effective practices. It os still very important.

Resume - Reflections and Summary

My resume is available online at the following address . . .

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dhcjqwjv_9gmzc5wg4&hl=en

Again, this is something that I have done before, but never as an online document. It will be nice having a resume ready online that I can continuously edit and send to a potential employer when ready. At this point, I would like to learn to use an online resume builder. What I did this time was to use an MS Word resume builder then upload it to google docs. As I become more familiar with this technology, I am sure that I will not need MS Word as much any more. I am loving it so far.

Cover Letter - Reflections and Summary

My cover letter is available online at . . .

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dhcjqwjv_8gbn3763b&hl=en

Composing this cover letter taught me a new way to do something that I already have some experience doing. I have always composed cover letters and resumes in Microsoft Word and then either printed them or emailed them as an attachment. This experience has given me an opportunity to learn how to use online documentation through google docs. I like the fact that I can access the document from any location with internet access. One limitation is that the documents are unavailable if the internet is not working properly. This has been a great experience so far.

Joshua Merlyn Arant

10928 Leetown Road

Kearneysville, WV 25430

(Home) 304-725-4749

(Cell) 304-433-7001

(Work) 304-267-3540

jarant@fairmontstate.edu

joshuaarant@gmail.com

Special Education LD Teacher

Department of Human Resources

Berkeley County Schools

401 South Queen Street

Martinsburg, WV 25401

I am interested in the position of Special Education LD Teacher in Berkeley County Schools. I have earned certification and a masters degree in Multicategorical Special Education from Fairmont State University and have three years of related experience. My resume describes the details of my education and experience and is enclosed for our review. I would be a great asset to Berkeley County Schools as a special educator, and I would greatly appreciate your consideration for the position.

I have reviewed the position requirements and find that I not only match the requirements perfectly, but I can also offer related experience to my practice in the field. Your requirements are indicated to be eligibility for West Virginia certification in multicategorical LD, BD, or MI, K-12, or learning disabilities K-12. My qualifications include West Virginia certification and a Masters Degree in Multicategorical LD, BD, and MI K-12 and three years experience as a Special Education LD teacher at Martinsburg North Middle School in Berkeley County (Fall 2005 – Present). I not only meet but exceed the indicated qualifications for the position.

As a motivated and experienced teacher, I will continue to bring quality twenty-first century education to the students that I teach. My primary goal has always been and will always be to meet the needs of individual students and to teach all students to become independent productive members of society. Providing quality education is a great passion of mine, and I can promise that I will deliver the highest quality education possible to the students I teach.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation for taking the time to review my qualifications and consider me for the position.

Sincerely,

Joshua Merlyn Arant

10928 Leetown Road Kearneysville, WV 25430

Phone 304-725-4749 E-mail jarant@fairmontstate.edu

Joshua Arant

Objective	I am seeking employment in the field of secondary education with emphasis on special education grades 7-12.
Education	Spring 2006 – Summer 2008 Fairmont State University Fairmont, WV Major in Multi-categorical Special Education Graduated in 2008 Complete course online. Experience with online documentation. Fall 1999 – Spring 2004 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV Major in Economics with minor in Spanish Graduated in 2004. Completed 2 Study Abroad courses in Cuba Member of WVU marching band for 2 years.
Interests and activities	My interests include hiking, biking, working out at the gym, painting, playing the piano, reading about science, philosophy, and art, collecting model trains, and travel. I have traveled to many places including (but not limited to) Cuba (study abroad), Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, and much of American continental west.
Work experience	August 2005 - Present Berkeley County Schools Martinsburg, WV Teacher Began as permanent substitute Promoted to Permit Teacher based on educational qualifications Taught math, science and social studies in the self-contained and inclusion settings. Extensive training in APL and Marzano. July 2005 CSX Corporation Huntington, WV Conductor Ranked second in class training. Did not get position due to red-green color deficiency. June 1998 – June 2005 Martin’s Food Market Martinsburg, WV Customer Service Representative/Cashier/Stocker Worked faithfully and reliably for 7 years. Received employee of the month four times. Helped District Manager in display management at other store locations. August 1995 – May 1998 Fazoli’s Italian Restaurant Martinsburg, WV Customer Service Representative/Food Preparer/Dishwasher Worked faithfully without missing a day for 3 years. Received employee of the month twice.

Week One Reflections

I have learned more about computer use in the classroom this week than in entire computer courses taken in the past. I particularly like the fact that I can make a calendar public with a unique URL. As a teacher, I can make homework assignments and events available for parents online by giving them the URL. I have never created a blog either. This is a great way to create a teacher profile and post important highlights about school/class events. Areas where I am currently struggling are creating a link on my blog and uploading and publishing google documents. I am sure that I will get this all figured out, and I look forward to learning how to do these things and becoming more competent in the use of technology in and out of the classroom.

My Calendar

Test

I just want to test it now to see if it is working.