Phillip Shrier - Masters Blog

  Abstract Educators are increasingly becoming aware of the diverse needs of their classrooms. Because of the individual needs of each student, educators are compelled to identify teaching avenues that bridge the gap between students and the knowledge they need to be successful. With the success of their students on the line, educators must respond to this need by researching and implementing technologies that address the individual needs of their students.   Professionally, the ISTE provides standards for how educators should respond to technology in their classrooms, specifically how they can individualize education for each of their students. Biblically, the mandate for educators is not only to provide these avenues for each child to succeed based on the way they learn without fearing of the technology, but also to glorify God in how they serve others by being the hands and feet of Jesus.     Personal Philosophy Paper: Purpose and Responsibility in Ed...

Please click on the following link to access my video: Differentiation through Technology Transcript: How do educators balance between standardization and individualization?  How do we serve the class while focusing our teaching on individual students?  It is an educational paradox.  How can two dichotomous directives converge?  Do we plan and execute daily lessons? Yes.  Do we also use videos and PowerPoints and other technologies to enhance interactions so that each student has the best chance to understand the content we are presenting? Yes. With all of this being said, I think there are more fundamental questions that need to be addressed: “What’s the point of education and what do we want the student to learn?” Allow me to explain. Although I believe that the educational system should work towards meeting each child’s educational needs, there should also be a natural stretch from the student as well.  Let’s take the idea of individualization to the ...

For this assignment, I chose to focus my research on digital citizenship.  As online anonymity and social divide rises, I believe that appropriate online behavior declines.  As so much of our interactions happen electronically, this technological decline has ripple effects throughout our society. The creation of our "Digital Footprint" as these articles refer to it, emphasize the importance of responsible activity online.  Whether creating a post, sharing others' content, or commenting on another's thoughts, every online action should create a positive reflection of the author and promote a place for postive community. The three articles I chose are: Modeling Constructive Online Behavior by David Cutler What your Students Really Need to Know About Digital Citizenship by Vicki Davis Social Media at School: Teaching Safety on the Virtual Playground by Mary Beth Hertz Modeling Constructive Online Behavior  by David Cutler What did I learn: Understandably, many educat...

In my brief experience as a teacher, I have found several technology integrations that have supported learning in my classroom:   Xtramath.com  - When I taught younger students, it was crucial to our daily math lessons to have a place where they can practice basic math facts outside of the classroom.  When this was practiced successfully, students were focused more on the content being taught than on trying to answer basic multiplication questions. Microsoft PowerPoint - This technology is a gateway technology in my opinion.  It allows the students to be creative while also giving them a platform to research, organize, and eventually present their topics to a group.   Typingclub.com  - Another technology I have used focuses on the students ability to get ideas into a computer faster.  I have found that the faster students can transfer ideas from their brain to a computer, the better they will be able to communicate their ideas.  If the s...