2.

1 Content Standards & Student Technology Standards

Candidates model and facilitate the design and implementation of technology-enhanced learning
experiences aligned with student content standards and student technology standards. (PSC
2.1/ISTE 2a)

ARTIFACT: Engaged Learning Project

The Engaged Learning Project was completed in the ITEC 7400 21st Century Teaching and
Learning course. This artifact was an exploration of third grade English Language Arts and
Science standards and was designed to meet high Levels of Teaching Innovation (LoTi) levels. It
was designed for students to creatively show mastery of being able to compare and contrast
Georgia’s natural habitats through writing an opinion piece. Components of this artifact
established context of the learner, how the project would be completed, standards addressed,
timeframe for completion, objectives, assessments, and final products. This project was
completed independently with support from third grade teachers on appropriately integrating
subjects.

In order to begin creating the “Georgia on my Mind” Engaged Learning Project, it was necessary
to use the appropriate student content standards and student technology standards. The
aforementioned components included science and English-Language Arts (ELA) standards from
the Georgia Standards of Excellence and International Society of Technology in Education
(ISTE) student standards for Empowered Learners, Creative Communicators, and Global
Collaborators. Each standard was selected for its relevance and ability to increase the rigor and
LoTi levels within this project. To model and facilitate the design and implementation of the
Engaged Learning Project required the development of an introduction (Hook), the process of
implementing the project over the course of 25 days, the final product, a learner profile, and a list
technology tools and supporting materials. It was expected that students acquired foundational
knowledge through teacher-led instruction. To support the standard, students received content
and assessments through various interactive digital tools such as: NearPod, Kahoot!, EdPuzzle,
and Quizlet. The final product included students developing a written opinion piece and a digital
presentation that would be shared with the Georgia Wildlife Federation to be featured on their
website. Connecting students with the Georgia Wildlife Federation created the technology-
enhanced learning experience for third grade students and their teachers who elected to
implement the project. As an instructional technology coach, I was available to support teachers
who were interested in utilizing the Engaged Learning Project.

As noted, I support teachers as their instructional technology coach. Although I provide coaching
guidance that may involve developing resources and tools for teachers, I do not develop lesson
plans. The Engaged Learning Project was an opportunity for me to revisit the intricacies and
details that are part of a well thought out plan that is rigorous and highly-engaging. As with this
artifact, lessons must consider the students, standards, timeframe, end products, and various
digital/non-digital tools that would be needed to support its execution. This project also
exemplified the importance of developing cross-curricular instructional plans that incorporate
multiple subjects and skills. Although this particular artifact was not implemented, it is rigorous
and maintains high LoTi levels. If there were one aspect of this project that I would like to alter,
it would be fully implementing this with a third grade team/classroom and receiving input from
both the teachers and students to make adjustments that fit their needs.

Although third grade teachers were consulted for details and standards in creating this project, it
was not directly implemented by them. If this artifact were to be implemented students and
teachers would be provided with a rigorous and engaging experience that would aid them in
effectively and meaningfully utilizing the instructional technology tools that are currently at their
disposal. Teachers would also be exposed to different strategies and ideas that could be
incorporated into other lessons/activities. Although teachers and students did not experience this
artifact, my abilities ,as their instructional technology coach, were enhanced in that I was able to
support them with improving their lesson plans and resources through the knowledge I gained
from developing the Engaged Learning Project.