TIMT+130+TIM+for+Instructional+Planning

The TIM was created to provide a resource for evaluating technology integration in K-12 classrooms. It also provides a vehicle for targeting teacher-related professional development. This practical, hands-on course provided an overview of the Technology Integration Matrix (TIM) and guided practice using the TIM for instructional planning. I also learned how to apply the TIM on a daily basis in my classroom to support effective technology integration.

This course was divided into four modules: TIM in the Classroom; Leveraging Your Resources; Recognizing and Integrating Technology in Your Lessons; and, Putting It All Together.

//**Module 1: TIM in the Classroom **//

//In this module, I... //
 * Learned the components of the Technology Integration Matrix (TIM).
 * Discussed how technology can impact my teaching and my students' learning.
 * Reflected on my current practices regarding technology use.
 * Generated and sorted a list of current technology tools available to my students.

"Assessing Available Technology," the assignment for this module, encouraged me to think critically about which tools can be implemented into my classroom instruction in future lessons. It focused on the **Entry** level use of technology on the TIM (The teacher begins to use technology to deliver curriculum to students.)

To start, I compiled a list of all technology available to me for use in my classroom/school (hardware, software, websites and/or databases, and Web 2.0 tools and/or applications. Then I sorted that technology into several categories. Finally, I reflected upon my work by asking/answering the following questions: //How did you choose to sort your list? Why did you decide to sort your list of available tools this way? Of the technology listed, which do you feel the most comfortable using in the classroom? How could this or a similar tool help to enhance classroom instruction? Of the technology listed, which would you like to gain more experience using? How could this or a similar tool help to enhance classroom instruction?//



//**Module 2: Leveraging Your Resources **// //In this module, I... //
 * Discussed the types of technology used in the classroom.
 * Evaluated the affordances and limitations as well as applicability of technology tools for classroom instruction.
 * Reflected on how a variety of technology tools can be used to enhance classroom instruction.

The assignment for this module, "Affordances and Limitations," helped me understand the importance of using the TIM to make well-informed instructional technology choices. I explored a selected digital tool to determine it's affordances and limitations -- thereby, making informed decisions on whether or not the selected technology would be effective in increasing student achievement in the classroom. It focused on the **Adoption** and **Adaptation** levels of the TIM -- **Adoption** (The teacher directs students in the conventional and procedural use of technology tools.) and **Adaptation** (The teacher facilitates students in exploring and independently using technology tools.)

First, I selected 3 technology tools to evaluate from the list I made in Module 2. Then I created a table to assess each tool in the following areas:
 * 1) **Use** - //Is this technology more likely to be used by the teacher or the student?//
 * 2) **Affordances for teachers and students** - //What are the benefits of using this technology?//
 * 3) **Limitations for teachers and students** - //What risk(s) does this technology introduce or what potential problems do you foresee introducing this tool to the classroom? [e.g. ads, content]//
 * 4) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Costs** – //This includes time to learn, money, upfront vs. ongoing, set up time, etc.//
 * 5) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Reliability** - //How reliable is this technology?//
 * 6) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Supports** - //What support or procedures do I need to be in place?//
 * 7) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Collaboration** - //Can a given technology support use by groups, individuals, or both? Does it foster interaction synchronously, asynchronously, or not at all?//

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Finally, I reflected upon my work by responding to the following questions: //After completing this activity, how comfortable do you feel utilizing these tools in your classroom? Has your opinion changed as a result of this activity? Looking forward, do you feel confident that you can select appropriate technology tools to incorporate into your classroom?//



//**<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Module 3: Recognizing and Integrating Technology in Your Lessons **// //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">In this module, I... //
 * Discussed various learning styles and how technology can meet the needs of learners.
 * Practiced adapting traditional lesson plans to incorporate technology.
 * Learned how to modify lessons in order to move them higher on the TIM.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">This module's assignment, "Adapting a Lesson," addressed a lesson I've taught in the past and required me to practice infusing technology to improve the lesson. I asked myself, //What are the needs of my students? What are the curriculum demands? What technology tools are appropriate and available?// My goal was to also move my students up to a higher level on the the TIM. This assignment reflected the **Adaptation** (The teacher facilitates students in exploring and independently using technology tools.) and **Infusion** (The teacher provides the learning context and the students choose the technology tools to achieve the learning outcome.) levels of technology use on the TIM.

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//**<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15.6px;">Module 4: Putting It All Together **// //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15.6px;">In this module, I... //
 * Researched the need to balance the use of technology with effective teaching practices.
 * Discussed digital tools students can use to create and share content in new and exciting ways.
 * Created and shared a lesson plan that incorporates instruction at several levels of the TIM.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15.6px;">"TIM in the Classroom" was the culminating project for this course and required the following steps: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15.6px;">(1) Determine the creative technology tool to use to develop and share my final project. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15.6px;">(2) Gather my course resources:
 * An organized list of available technology resources in my school/district (from Week 1)
 * An evaluation of three available tools at my school including the affordances and limitations (from Week 2)
 * A lesson adapted to THREE levels of the TIM (from Week 3 + 2 more levels as indicated in Step 3)
 * A digital display or presentation to share my learning with others
 * A reflection on my learning and of my experiences using the TIM for instructional planning (Step 4)

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15.6px;">(3) Modify my selected lesson plan to include two additional levels of the TIM. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15.6px;">(4) Compose a creative reflection on my learning from this coursework. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15.6px;">(5) Create a summarizing presentation that demonstrates my learning and shares my work with others.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15.6px;">Below is the digital presentation portion of my culminating project. It details the process I followed to modify and enhance an existing lesson plan according to TIM specifications and effective integrated technology practices. Enjoy!



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<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15.6px;">In conclusion, the following link will take you to my **Final Reflection** for this course: Final Course Reflection for TIMT 130