Strengths & Weaknesses

In accordance withe the UNI and Net standards, I feel that I am pretty well rounded with technology, though I do have some weaknesses that I personally need to work on to be better. I feel that some of my strengths according to the UNI standards I am pretty savvy with, "Basic Technology Equipment Operations and Concepts. I am pretty good with installing software, troubleshooting, basic terminology, operations and operating other technologically based equipment. Though, I do need to study up on the ethical and legal issues such as copyright laws and learning how to provide equitable access to software for all of my students. I feel that I also have many weaknesses with items that are mentioned in the NET standards. When it comes to teaching and the curriculum, I need to learn how to apply certain technologies to develop the students congnitively, and how to manage the learning activities in a technology-enhanced environment. We learn about classroom management, though I feel that we also need to learn about technological classroom management. Also mentioned in the NET standards are the Social, Ethical Legal, and Human issues. Not I feel that I do know about these things, though I feel that I need to better understand the laws that go along with technology, such as copyrights and such.

Now, taking a look at my weaknesses and how I could improve them, I have thought of a couple of goals that I could work on to improve those weaknesses. For one, to improve my knowledge, or lack of knowledge about the laws and copyrights, I need to research them and bring myself up to date with the current laws and realize, that well..... hacking into things is not the way to go. Also, I would like to set a goal on how I, could better incoporate and apply certain technologies to help educate mys tudents to be in better accordance with the UNI standards that have been put forth. I strongly feel that if I can complete these two main goals, I can better myself and become a better educator for my future students.

To help me complete these two goals that I have set for myself. I have found, what I feel to be a very valuable resource at the Teacher's Network. This site has many articles, tutorials, videos, all geared to help the educator become better at using technology to reinforce instruction. This is important to me. Because, if I can use technology, to help my students who will be and already are digital learners, than I can teach them in a way that they will find fun and interesting. By doing this, they will also grow cognitively. To help me complete the other goal I have set forth, on becoming better aquinted with copyright laws and the laws in general. I have found an online tutorial to educate myself on the copyright laws in the United States. The tutorial can be found at Bitlaw. Now, if I complete these goals of mine, and in the future stay up to date with this information, I feel that I will be a much more effetive educator as well as being able to provide my students with equitable technology for all and educate them in a way that will prepare them for their future.