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__Enhancing Core Teaching Skills with Technology__

 "Technology" (ASL)

Included on this page is:

 * 1) ===A Little About Me ===
 * 2) ===Introduction to my ePortfolio ===
 * 3) ===My Goals ===
 * 4) ===My Integration Plan ===

=A Little About Me= Hi! My name is Laura Russell. I am a teacher of the Deaf in north central Pennsylvania. Currently, I am teaching 2 deaf students in the smallest school district in PA -- Austin. Unlike its counterpart in Texas, Austin Area School District has about 220 students from 3 to 18 years of age. I have been working for Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit 9 for 24 years. I used to be itinerant servicing students in ALL school districts except St. Marys.

I live in Port Allegany with my cat, Lucy. I like to read, cross stitch, and work with the computer. I am also the clerk to Session of the Presbyterian Church in Port Allegany (fancy title for secretary). I grew up near Pittsburgh in North Sewickley Township. I am the 'baby' of the family with 2 older brothers. GO STEELERS, PENS, and PIRATES! ! !

I have grown up in an interesting time. I can remember playing with a manual type writing; working on an electric one; writing programs on a computer in high school and running them at the local college; typing and retyping my thesis on a Commodore 64 in college; owning and playing games on several different and progressively intricate desk top computers; and using a lap top to show my students different vocabulary and to teach them auditory and language skills.

=Introduction to my ePortfolio= This course has really opened my eyes to the possibilities available on the internet. What a great way to introduce a side of our students to their parents. We can show them a variety of skills that they may never see or know existed. Even though I have changed my thinking about most of what is available on the internet, there are still some things that will never change.

Included in this ePortfolio (which I would never have thought I would ever create 15 weeks ago) are many thoughts generated by discussions that occurred during the many weeks in ECTST. It also houses many ideas I thought were worthy enough to 'copy and paste' or 'link' to a page.

My Integration Plan (located in the link at the bottom of the page) is a culmination of many thoughts and desires over the past few years of teaching deaf students. I know that I need to become more organized when getting students ready for transitioning to the real world or they will NEVER be ready to fly on their own. Helping them to create a database of information to take with them will bring them one step closer to independence.

Through these 13 weeks, we have turned the NETS*T inside out and upside down. Looking at them and learning how they fit into our teaching styles. For me, it is as if I am taking a giant step into outer space. Instead of creating the resources myself, I can find it on the internet. As we have said several times in our group: "Don't reinvent the wheel." When someone else has put forth the effort and is willing to share their product with me, I will take it. I know that I am able to use several different people throughout our school as support in finding what is elusive. Also, I have become more aware of how to teach my students about being good citizens of the internet.

As my proficiency on the NETS*T improves, I will be able to guide my students through the NETS*S. Being able to show them a role model is important to students. I want to practice what I preach to them and show that delving into the world of the internet can be fun and exciting and productive.

=**My goal(s)**= <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">According to the Levels of Teaching Innovation Framework, I am at the Exploration level (2). As my students become more able to think beyond basic knowledge levels, I would like to be able to infuse higher order thinking skills into my instruction and assessment.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">My Personal Computer Use is at level 1. Currently, I use a variety of tools for classroom organization as well as locating some vocabulary pictures. I will work towards level 2 by searching for more digital tools to use with my students to add additional experiences.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Current Instructional Practices Framework, places me at level 5. I am continually using real-life experiences to make it easier for my deaf students to understand the concepts they are learning. To work toward a level 6 I want to start using more student driven questions to direct my instruction and their learning.

=My Integration Plan=