Growing+Up

Some people may wonder why an educational support teacher would want a //SmartBoard.// As an educational support teacher I work with almost the entire school population! A wide range of the students in our school would benefit from the use of technology to enhance their learning of curriculum outcomes by having access to a //Smartboard// in my room. I work with many students who would otherwise not have access to technology at home, and who would be engaged to a greater degree by being exposed to this technology. Two of the student examples that I included were done by students with profound learning disabilities. It was great to see the success they experienced by being able to use technology to represent ideas rather than get bogged down and frustrated with paper and pencil tasks. Part of my role as the educational support teacher, is to be an "educational leader" within my school for my staff. Learning as much as I possibly can about technology, and the supports I can offer all students will help me fulfill this role to a much greater extent. The experience of the application process has already given me the opportunity to extend what I have learned about //Powerpoint, PhotoStory, SmartIdeas// technology and //Smart Notebook// to other staff members. This is a great way for me to get to more of the student body, and help the staff learn along the way. My “Growing Up” unit plan integrating the technology standards was based on our school smart goal, curriculum outcomes and strategies assessed on the provincial reading Assessment for Learning. I have incorporated technology into my lesson plans and have given students the opportunity to explore different ways technology can be used to express their ideas. Context (unit type) – Personal and Philosophical
 * WHY ME?**