Tech Standard 7-Research, Problem Solving, and Product Development
The competent teacher will use computers and other technologies in research, problem solving, and product development. The competent teacher will appropriately use a variety of media, presentation, and authoring packages; plan and participate in team and collaborative projects that require crucial analysis and evaluation; and present products developed.
The competent teacher will use computers and other technologies in research, problem solving, and product development. The competent teacher will appropriately use a variety of media, presentation, and authoring packages; plan and participate in team and collaborative projects that require crucial analysis and evaluation; and present products developed.
*7I. The competent teacher develops instructional units that involve compiling, organizing, analyzing, and synthesizing of information, and uses technology to support these processes.
Artifact: Prezi Instruction Manual
Artifact: Prezi Instruction Manual
A class of high school freshmen had to synthesize their research about 1930’s topics using a presentation software. I planned an instructional lesson about how to use the basic functions of Prezi. In preparation, I designed an instruction manual to hand out to the students and to keep in the library for a future reference guide.
Reflection
What I learned from this experience is that I have to be up-to-date with the basic functions of presentation software, such as Prezi, before I can successfully teach it to anyone else. Two days before I had to teach this lesson, Prezi redesigned their entire platform, which suddenly antiquated the previously-existing manual and left me with very little time to familiarize myself with a program I had never used before, while simultaneously creating a new, more organized, user-friendly document. I am really proud of this document because I proved to myself I can produce quality work that is helpful to both students and staff, even with unexpected obstacles!
Because I created and organized this document and had a printed copy in front of me, I was able to refer to it as a step-by-step guide while instructing the classes how to use Prezi. The instruction went smoothly because of this, and I was able to demonstrate how Prezi is a visually interesting way to compile, organize and synthesize information. Unfortunately, when I finished the direct instruction and told the students they could begin creating their own presentations, half the class ended up getting the brand new version, which I had just walked them through and half got the old version. Those who got the same version I had just taught had no problem getting started, which I can only assume means my packet as well as my instruction were successful in students understanding how to use Prezi, whereas the other half all raised their hands with confused looks on their faces. Luckily, I was able to think on my feet and compare the two platforms based on what I'd learned with the newer one in order to help those who had a different version.
What I learned from this experience is that I have to be up-to-date with the basic functions of presentation software, such as Prezi, before I can successfully teach it to anyone else. Two days before I had to teach this lesson, Prezi redesigned their entire platform, which suddenly antiquated the previously-existing manual and left me with very little time to familiarize myself with a program I had never used before, while simultaneously creating a new, more organized, user-friendly document. I am really proud of this document because I proved to myself I can produce quality work that is helpful to both students and staff, even with unexpected obstacles!
Because I created and organized this document and had a printed copy in front of me, I was able to refer to it as a step-by-step guide while instructing the classes how to use Prezi. The instruction went smoothly because of this, and I was able to demonstrate how Prezi is a visually interesting way to compile, organize and synthesize information. Unfortunately, when I finished the direct instruction and told the students they could begin creating their own presentations, half the class ended up getting the brand new version, which I had just walked them through and half got the old version. Those who got the same version I had just taught had no problem getting started, which I can only assume means my packet as well as my instruction were successful in students understanding how to use Prezi, whereas the other half all raised their hands with confused looks on their faces. Luckily, I was able to think on my feet and compare the two platforms based on what I'd learned with the newer one in order to help those who had a different version.