User:Markbaitinger

Fifth ISTE’s NETS-T Standard - Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources.

Teachers:

1.Participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning.

2.Exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others.

3.Evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning.

4.Contribute to the effectiveness, vitality and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of the school and community.

Introduction

Even though I’ve been active with computers, technology and training for twenty years, I’ve missed opportunities over the past ten years. After I’m certified as a teacher, I will be around kids not adults all day, so my inspiration to learn and how I will assimilate new and challenging technology into my teachings will have to change. I will use the internet to challenge myself to stay current.

Computer literacy self assessments:

http://www.virtualbill.net/litest.html

http://www.virtualbill.net/clu/testup.html

Computer technologies:

http://www.apple.com/education/?kmed=ppc

ezinearticles dot com

Links to two of my favorite local trade schools.

http://www.milwaukee.tec.wi.us/documents/2010-11catalog.pdf

http://www.wctc.edu/programs_&_courses/business_&_IT/IT_computer_support_specialist/index.php

The Microsoft videos are fantastic for Office

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/access-2007-training-courses-HA010274447.aspx?CTT=5&origin=HA010225533

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-xp-to-windows-7

Links to YouTube for technology and math courses

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNbEBARu6LY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vY-X5t3vNY

Background and Philosophy

Software

Over the years I’ve watched my employers introduce computer applications, replaced a few manual systems with computer based applications myself and all the while I took a keen interest in the computer applications my work mates learned and used. In the early 80’s, I didn’t really like college level Pascal language studies; I was fortunate to miss the card programming and compiling. I was enamored by the first copy of Lotus PC magazine. In the late 80’s when VisiCalc-plot and Symphony first appeared in the work place; I stayed after hours and scoured the manuals and help screens to teach myself how to use the tools. In the early 90’s, when CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) was introduced into medium sized companies I needed help and access, so I took a course in AutoCAD at MATC (Milwaukee Area Technical College). In the late 90’s, when windows based visual programming became popular, I took Visual Basic at MATC. This was the first application I had learned since college that was “too much” for me to absorb and fit into my home and work computing life. So, while the internet was becoming popular I took a seminar in MS (Microsoft) Access database and become a whiz kid! In the early 00’s, I made the move from medium to small manufacturing companies, and I was exposed to fewer and fewer new applications. Small companies operate lean and I inherited computer hardware and training responsibilities.

I taught myself many applications in order to stay connected with our extended families, while working with fellow musicians and volunteering for our children’s school activities. I leaned the basics of music recording, image scanning and sharing and finally creating a web page. One of the things I always wanted to know was how to run database from a website and since I couldn’t find a “teach yourself” application” I kept putting that on the back burner.

Hardware

As for hardware, I’ve found the best learning experience to be trial and error. I have classmates 10 years younger than me that build there own PC’s; that’s a bit much for me. Set aside the money to upgrade your PC every two-three years and buy and install two to three applications every year – stay away from hijacked and illegal software copies. You are going to get stuck so find a great PC shop; I tried many and like Milwaukee PC; if you get to the Mequon location tell Paul and Paul that I sent you Act as the IT help desk representative for your home; install and service a wire and wireless network in your home. If you see a 3 year old PC at a garage sale offer $100 bucks for it; if you get it try to get it running; even if you don’t need it the local elementary school might. I think this would be a perfect activity for a high school engineering class; would this approach be any different that rebuilding junker cars in shop class and did you ever see the garage scene in the popular musical Grease?

Summary

I don’t think it’s the solely the math, engineering or music teacher’s primary responsibility to research and teach technology, but obviously I have a personal interest in these topics. I am excited about reading about new technologies and making the investment in myself to learn them. My students will benefit greatly as I incorporate new technologies into my day to day teaching strategies and projects.