Reflective Statement for PTS 3 Brittany Granquist

Artifact: Whack-A-Mole Game

PTS 3. Application of Technology in Instruction: The competent teacher will

apply learning technologies that support instruction in their grade level and
subject areas. He or she must plan and deliver instructional units that
integrate a variety of software, applications, and learning tools. Lessons
developed must reflect effective grouping and assessment strategies for
diverse populations.

1. Write a paragraph explaining your knowledge and understanding of the

standard-put the

standard in your own words.

I think that this standard wants me to realize the importance of having the knowledge and skills

needed to successfully utilize technology that supports instruction appropriate for a variety of

grade levels, subject areas, learning styles, and language needs. This standard states that in order

to be competent in the application of technology in instruction, one must be able to learn how to

select, evaluate, and utilize computer/technology resources that best supplement instruction and

assessment responsibly, ethically, and legally. In addition, this standard also wants me to

realize that an important part of applying technology into instruction is to teach and model to my

students the appropriate ways to use technology, and foster this “equitable, ethical and legal use

of technology by students” frequently and effectively.

2. Explain how the artifact you chose demonstrates your understanding and
application of the

standard.

The artifact I chose that demonstrates my understanding and application of the standard is a
SMART Board “Whack-a-mole” game that I found and modified to help my first grade students

practice their doubles, plus one, and plus zero addition facts, while giving me the opportunity to

assess them informally. I utilized the SMART Exchange, a website used by educators to find,

preview, download and share classroom-ready resources that can be used with a SMART Board.

On the SMART Exchange, I browsed countless resources and tools for the SMART Notebook

software, and came across an activity that functioned as a game and a review. I then went

through the slides of the “Whack-a-mole” game and modified them to meet the needs of my first

graders’ math knowledge, which allowed me to apply the following performance indicator:

“explores, evaluates, and uses computer/technology resources including applications, tools,

educational software, and associated documentation.” In addition, I was able to utilize

“appropriate assessment strategies” in determining my students’ knowledge of the

aforementioned addition facts by planning for them to individually come up and answer a

question, and solicit the agreement and disagreement of the rest of the class.

3. A If the artifact has been used in your practice, reflect on how your
teaching will change in

the future to further meet the standard.

B. If the artifact has not been used in your practice, i.e., a class
assignment, reflect upon how

your teaching will be impacted by the assignment.

My teaching will change to further meet the requirements and indicators outlined in the

application of technology in instruction standard by my continued use of the SMART Exchange -

both borrowing and sharing lessons and activities. The SMART Exchange has over 40,000

lessons, so I will utilize appropriate lessons so to supplement instruction in effective and

worthwhile ways. In addition, I will differentiate technology-based lessons by integrating a

“variety of student grouping strategies and for diverse student populations.” My teaching will

meet the standard by providing ample opportunities for my students to use technology in ethical,

legal, and equitable ways, and in a variety of contexts and subject areas.

4. Conclude with a paragraph discussing how you are more prepared to

Teach and Learn in a

Diverse Society as a result of satisfactorily meeting the standard.

In my exploration, evaluation and utilization of the SMART Notebook activity found on the

SMART Exchange website, I have become more prepared to teach and learn in a diverse society

because I have exposed myself to a variety of lesson plans for different age groups and subject

areas. I think that utilizing these activities will allow students with diverse linguistic backgrounds

to solidify knowledge through the use of multiple modalities. Any student, without hearing the

directions for my “Whack-a-mole” game could have observed the actions of their peers and been

able to successfully complete my expectations. This game allowed students with diverse learning

styles to stray from the normal fact sheet completion for addition fact practice.