Based on your own interests in media, instruction, teaching and learning, you'll select 2 new or existing media, instructional tools, or pieces of software to thoroughly research and evaluate and on which you will report – in writing (minimum of 1,000 words each) on the topics you choose. These Tech PD papers are scholarly research papers that are written in APA format. In your papers, you should address potential educational applications for the technology you research. See due dates in the course schedule (worth up to 20 points--10 points for each Tech PD).
<aside> 💡 Please contact the instructor at least three days prior in order to obtain the go-ahead regarding appropriate topics and to receive guidance and other assistance.
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In class when the Tech PDs is due, you will also briefly present your Tech PD in class. You may wish to prepare a slideshow to help your classmates understand your Tech PD, but a slideshow is not required. In addition, please post all materials to Tech PD Sharing Forum – accessed on the Canvas site for this course. Discuss what you have learned with your classmates.
There are many topics on which you can do a Tech PD. For example, if you are a PE major, you could do research on virtual reality tools in PE or health monitoring tools such as Fitbits and the Apple Watch. If you're interested in AR glasses, do some research on that topic. What are the latest writing tools for young writers? Seek out topics in which you have a real personal interest. These are the topics that will be the most personally motivating.
How do you find and report on these new technologies? Try searching "new technologies," "new educational software," "new trends in educational use of technology," etc. Try to find topics in which you have a personal interest or stake. As we move through the topics in this course, you will be exposed to many technologies, principles, and approaches to finding and evaluating information on the Internet. Use those skills to develop your Tech PDs. In essence, the Tech PDs are micro research topics to help you become acquainted with the ways you will keep yourself updated and informed about new and emerging technologies. You will be a practicing action-researcher, honing your research skills to keep yourself informed about the new trends in teaching with technology!
When you are finished with each of your Tech PDs, be sure to share them with me via OneDrive. Then share a copy (not the original) with your classmates by posting them to the Tech PD Forum on our course Canvas site.
<aside> 💡 You're sharing a copy because I don't want your classmates to have access to your grade or my comments on your original submission.
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Example Tech PD: If you want to see an example of an excellent Tech PD, go to this folder on OneDrive.
Save your Tech PD written reports, any visuals you use, and any other documentation (brochures, samples, etc.) in your Learning Portfolio.