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ePortfolio
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= Welcome, from Denise! = .....My name is Denise Whiteman and I am the elementary librarian for Otto-Eldred School District, a very rural district along the Pennsylvania- New York border. I have a bachelor's degree in Library Science and a master's degree in Instructional Media. Technology is an obviously growing interest in education today. Because our students have grown up with this technology they are termed as "digital natives". Then there are the rest of us who are trying desperately to keep afloat in the same sea of technology while providing an enriching educational experience - not an easy endeavor, but many of are are attempting to rise to this challenge! .....My personal life often intermingles with my professional life. I volunteer at the Erie Zoo 2 hours away. My experiences there lend an array of information and experiences to my curriculum. My professional experiences have benefited the zoo. I created a functional reference library from a room stacked with books. I have also done some technology work there, like creating a virtual field trip and presently working on a major digital archiving project for their 50th anniversary coming up in 2012. I have been tap dancing for 13 years and jazz dancing for 2. Last performance we had a dancer living in Florida who needed to learn our piece so she could perform with us. I used some of my technology skills to create an instructional video to upload for her. .....I have been married almost 19 years, have a biological 16 year -old, an adopted 18 year-old, a dog, 2 cats, and a degu. We do foster care and love to travel as a family. Click HERE to learn more.

= Introduction to this ePortfolio = .....This ePortfolio is being used as a collection spot for information related to using ISTE's NETS for Teachers. You you find many reflections on activities as well as links to items which support each specific NETS. The "Technology Integration Plan" is a complete lesson plan for a culminating unit activity for my mythology unit in 5th grade. I am also working on a "Digital Citizenship Program" for my building. The program is a work in progress so you will find a link to my working document on the page where the whole program will evenutally be housed.

= Course Goal - Where I Am = .....Because I teach 7 different grade levels, and technology is not available at all levels yet for my schedule, I will set these goals based on my 5th grade Library Skills classes. First, where it looks like I am at...


 * H.E.A.T. Intensity Framework **
 * H. - Level 4**
 * E. - Level 3** - this is because of district restrictions on collaboration (especially at the elementary level)
 * A. - Level 4**
 * T. - Level 5**

.....My 5th grade classes focus on research skills (manual and internet) and are in the process of creating a digital story using PowerPoint, graphic editors, and a wiki. Scheduling restrictions will have this project lasting for at least a month. I have ideas for developing a collaboration project, but am unable at the moment because of site restrictions and equipment limitations.
 * LoTi Digital Age Framework - Level 4a: Integration - Mechanical **

.....I'm a little confused about how to use this one for goal setting because I do not see anything here I am willing to change. I do not want to be true of levels 0-2 and I want to be most true to levels 6 and 7. If I needed a goal for this specific one, it would be to raise levels 3-5 to "very true of me now", though I'm not sure how to make that happen at the moment.
 * CIP (Current Instructional Practices) Framework **
 * Intensity Levels 0-2 - "Not True of Me Now"** - I agree with this, but I do not believe this is something I want to be true at all because they are not technology-driven
 * Intensity Levels 3-5 - "Somewhat True of Me Now"** - I support student involvement with assessments, I believe there needs to be a balance in the varieties of content and activities offered (traditional and technology-based), and every aspect of my curriculum is differentiated by individual student needs.
 * Intensity Levels 6-7 - "Very True of Me Now"** - I feel I am at a solid 6, but I would like to be at a solid 7, however computer accessibility is a hindrance as the moment. Our new technology lab should help aleviate this problem.

.....It is interesting that my ratings on this assessment match exactly to the CIP scale.
 * PCU (Personal Computer Use) Framework **
 * Instensity Level 0-2 - "Not True of Me Now"** - again, I never want to be at these levels because that would reduce my effectiveness as a teacher in the 21st century.
 * Intensity Levels 3-5 - "Somewhat True of Me Now"** - I will be striving to raise these ratings because they are an important foundation of teaching in the digital age.
 * Intensity Levels 6-7 - "Very True of Me Now"** - This is definitely where I want to be, but I still think there is room for growth here.

= Course Goal - Where I Should Be = .....Looking at the data provided by LoTi, I can re-affirm that a good portion of my "lackings" in student technology work comes from lack of access to computers. Our district is in the process of building a new technology lab which should help with computer availability. It is scheduled to open by early April. I have little doubt that I will not have much access to the new tech lab BUT because everyone else will be fighting for it that will leave the regular computer lab connected to the library more open for ME! I do want to increase my H.E.A.T. Index to a solid 5, but this will rely more on my ability to increase my own skills first. I plan to increase my PCU and CIP numbers through my own awareness, but also by incorporating more collaborative work for my students. My district does not openly support online collaboration for students (especially at the elementary level), but I can begin with grade-level collaboration and, with the aid of some willing colleagues, or perhaps high school students, begin collaboration outside of the classroom. If I can keep this moving in a positive forward motion my district may be more open to allow less restrictive collaboration efforts.

= Reflections Link﻿﻿ = = ﻿﻿Integration Plan Link =