Hello. I'm Tiffany Feild, a sixth-grade science teacher at Nettleton Middle School in Jonesboro, AR where I live with my husband Ben and our four-year-old daughter Ellison. I graduated from Arkansas State University in 2008 with a Bachelor's Degree in Middle School Math and Science Education.
Although I am passionate about science education, I have always been drawn to the field of educational technology and am currently pursuing my Master's Degree in Educational Technology from the University of Arkansas. Our school will be implementing a 6th-grade EAST Initiative program in which I have been hired as facilitator. This position will give me the opportunity to guide students through community-based problem solving projects using advanced technology. I have also been hired to develop and facilitate a week-long summer technology camp for the Nettleton School District.
Last year, I worked with a colleague to establish a school makerspace, which has grown exponentially. I have conducted conference sessions on makerspace at the Arkansas STEM Coalition and our NMS Makerspace has been visited by multiple teacher groups from across the state of Arkansas. I am an Apple Certified Teacher and a Level 2 Google Educator.
Although I am passionate about science education, I have always been drawn to the field of educational technology and am currently pursuing my Master's Degree in Educational Technology from the University of Arkansas. Our school will be implementing a 6th-grade EAST Initiative program in which I have been hired as facilitator. This position will give me the opportunity to guide students through community-based problem solving projects using advanced technology. I have also been hired to develop and facilitate a week-long summer technology camp for the Nettleton School District.
Last year, I worked with a colleague to establish a school makerspace, which has grown exponentially. I have conducted conference sessions on makerspace at the Arkansas STEM Coalition and our NMS Makerspace has been visited by multiple teacher groups from across the state of Arkansas. I am an Apple Certified Teacher and a Level 2 Google Educator.
Personal Technology Statement
Educational technology has become a fundamental part of education and through the cultivation of knowledgeable educators and purposeful implementation, it's true potential for learners will be seen.
Educational technology is growing at a rapid pace. In the past six years, venture funding in educational technology has increased from $400 million to $2 billion. (Mesecar, 2015) However, a recent survey found that 86% of those surveyed believe that teachers need more professional development and 41% don’t believe that their school districts have plans for effective use of educational technology. ("The State of Educational Technology," 2015) The research shows that although schools are spending more money on new technology, professional development and plans for teachers to effectively implement technology in their classrooms is lacking.
The National Education Technology Plan, which is aligned to the Activities to Support the Effective Use of Technology (Title IV A) of the Every Student Succeeds Act, places an emphasis on professional development for educators. The plan accurately states that, “Without a well-prepared teaching force, the nation will not experience the full benefits of those investments for transformative learning.” ("National Education Technology Plan," 2017) Although schools should make efforts to increase training for technology use, educators must also seek out their own opportunities to learn more about educational technology and be cognizant of what technology integration can offer their students.
The impact of educational technology on student learning is far-reaching and is no longer an option, it is a necessity. It puts up-to-date tools and information into the hands of students and connects them to a world of information, provides access to experts, has powerful collaboration tools, and offers innumerable ways to communicate. Digital tools also turn students into active participants often adapting to their individual needs and pace of learning. It is vital that educational technology be implemented in a way that focuses on the learner. When researching or implementing digital tools, it is important that educators always keep the student in mind and look at new technologies with a critical eye. They should also carefully consider the uses of new technology prior to implementation and outline the expected impact on student learning.
Technology has become a crucial piece of education and through the cultivation of knowledgeable educators and purposeful implementation, it's true potential for learners will be seen.
The National Education Technology Plan, which is aligned to the Activities to Support the Effective Use of Technology (Title IV A) of the Every Student Succeeds Act, places an emphasis on professional development for educators. The plan accurately states that, “Without a well-prepared teaching force, the nation will not experience the full benefits of those investments for transformative learning.” ("National Education Technology Plan," 2017) Although schools should make efforts to increase training for technology use, educators must also seek out their own opportunities to learn more about educational technology and be cognizant of what technology integration can offer their students.
The impact of educational technology on student learning is far-reaching and is no longer an option, it is a necessity. It puts up-to-date tools and information into the hands of students and connects them to a world of information, provides access to experts, has powerful collaboration tools, and offers innumerable ways to communicate. Digital tools also turn students into active participants often adapting to their individual needs and pace of learning. It is vital that educational technology be implemented in a way that focuses on the learner. When researching or implementing digital tools, it is important that educators always keep the student in mind and look at new technologies with a critical eye. They should also carefully consider the uses of new technology prior to implementation and outline the expected impact on student learning.
Technology has become a crucial piece of education and through the cultivation of knowledgeable educators and purposeful implementation, it's true potential for learners will be seen.
References
Mesecar, D. (2015, December 21). Education Technology in the Every Student Succeeds Act. Retrieved February 11, 2017, from <https://www.americanactionforum.org/insight/education-technology-in-the-every-student-succeeds-act/>
"National Education Technology Plan." Office of Educational Technology. U.S. Department of Education, 2017. Web. 11 Feb. 2017.
The State of Educational Technology(Rep.). (2015). Retrieved February 10, 2017, from Sprint Business website: <https://s3.amazonaws.com/dive_assets/rlpsys/State_of_EdTech_Survey_2015.pdf/>
Mesecar, D. (2015, December 21). Education Technology in the Every Student Succeeds Act. Retrieved February 11, 2017, from <https://www.americanactionforum.org/insight/education-technology-in-the-every-student-succeeds-act/>
"National Education Technology Plan." Office of Educational Technology. U.S. Department of Education, 2017. Web. 11 Feb. 2017.
The State of Educational Technology(Rep.). (2015). Retrieved February 10, 2017, from Sprint Business website: <https://s3.amazonaws.com/dive_assets/rlpsys/State_of_EdTech_Survey_2015.pdf/>