Reflection

This journey began two years ago, when in it's infancy, TATC was looking for a pilot group to help develop curriculum. The road to this point in completing the portfolio has been an interesting and stretching experience. The people I have met along the way have challenged me to go beyond anything I ever expected to even want to accomplish. The road has not always been smooth. There have been many obstacles and delays along the way. The development of curriculum in the areas of Desktop Publishing has been a fun and rewarding experience as I was allowed to share my knowledge and gain much more from a wealth of other life long learners. The tunnel of video was sometimes dark and forbodding, but in the end, I believe that this is the area I am most proud of. After all, there is a priceless quote " That which does not destroy us, makes us stronger". I am truly stronger today than I ever dreamed. The multimedia events have been fun and prove to today still be the area I use most often to enhance the instruction in my classroom.

Standards I-V
The Standards in sections I through V are so very important to keep in mind with every element of the profession of teaching. The ability to make informed decisions, to research and analyze, to communicate to a broad and diverse public, are all so very important. These elements must be applied in every other element of Technology applications in order to make the use of things like Digital Graphics and Animation, Multimedia and Video Technology are truly meaningful to the learning process. The Foundations coursework helped to set the stage for this learning and in the end, these five areas should be evident in each and every artifact. As professionals, it is critical that we model and respect these items in everything we do. After all " Actions speak louder than Words."

Standard XI- Web Authoring

Web Authoring has been an interesting experience during this journey as I have expanded my knowledge with 5 different types of software development packages and added the new element of XML to the possibilities in the field of Web Authoring. I began teaching website development 5 years ago. It is amazing to look back at the teaching materials that were available at that time and to see today what is available. This is a vast area to explore and I find that my students are always just about one step ahead of me. They are a constant source of resources and amazement. However, this experience has only reinforced my conviction regarding the use of coding as the primary element in web authoring. I still rely on my ability to plan and think through a new website based on my basic knowledge of HTML and the issues of security with HTML, rather than on using a WYSIWYG program. I believe that we will continue to need to stay current with changes in this field on a quarterly basis.

Standard VIII- Digital Graphics and Animation

The area of Digital Graphics and Animation are a part of my teaching experience and personal life on a regular basis. The learning and research that I have experienced in this area during my journey have been invaluable. Creativity is truly never exhausted with the millions of variations and ideas that can be accomplished with a computer, camera and the artist tools. The freedom that a student has to express themselves in a diverse and meaningful way is so much richer with the use of digital graphics and animation. The teaching experience can be much richer with the use of these tools to both enhance instructional materials and to allow the student to utilize them in their work.

Standard IX- Multimedia

Multimedia is another area that has been a great pleasure to learn with. PowerPoint has been around and sadly never used to the full potential and yet I find that I use it for a teaching tool in practically every lesson. The use of sound can be such a powerful learning tool, and allows every hearing child to have the benefit of the lesson, the interactivity allows children with a variety of learning styles to have access to the consistent information delivered at a rate they can absorb. The use of film clips in the multimedia presentation allows a prepared teacher to have a lesson that is powerful and successful.

Standard X- Video Editing

Video Editing, as I mentioned earlier was the biggest challenge for me. I truly worked hard to scratch the surface of this area and I am proud of the progress I have made and look forward to learning a great deal more about lighting, and compression techniques. I look forward to a future time when I can have more experience with a variety of video platforms, but for now, I am only proficient in the Windows Platform.

Standard VII - Desktop Publishing

Desktop Publishing is the study for which I was most prepared and yet I have learned a great number of new resources and applications. I believe that I could confidently work with a committee to establish a new program offering Desktop Publishing for their students that would not only provide professional publications for the school and community but also prepare the student for the workplace with reliable skills and an educated eye for the creation of a quality product. All the elements of Design and Principles of Design begin with the work on the written page, consequently, the work a student does in this area is a firm foundation for the work they would create in all the other standard areas.

Field Observation Experience

My observation experience with Stephen Pandolfo and Kayla Steiner was invaluable. Watching other successful teachers is so inspiring. It always makes me rethink the way I teach to a group of unique individuals. I love to watch such professional and successful teachers bridge the gap between the experienced and the inexperienced. I must say that this was every bit as vital to this learning journey as the individual projects themselves.

In summary, this portfolio demonstrates only a meager portion of the work and dedication to the Technology Applications. The process is never complete.
"Success is not a destination, but the lessons learned in the journey"