EDU 311: Technology in Education

EDU 311: Technology in Education

Writing an Effective Reflection

AnArtifactis an object, an item, a selection, or something you place in your portfolio to demonstrate that you meet a particular standard.

Your Reflection is a statement or your thinking concerning the artifact you selected. You should consider the context, the impact, and the alignment as you write.

To assist you in writing an effective reflection, you should read the following guidelines. The guidelines should help you in explaining how a particular technology application or product corresponds to one or more of the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS-T).

You may consider the following elements in developing your written rationale. However, be brief!

Context

Explain when, where, and how you created the artifact.

Tell how you intend to use the application or product (i.e., what grade, subject, student population? will the product be used in the classroom or a lab?)

Impact

Explain what your students will be doing and learning as a result of this technology application/product and/or how it will support your teaching.

If you have actually used the product, explain how it worked, how students reacted, an how it improved student learning.

Alignment

Alignment is most important element of the reflection.

Explain what the connection is between your artifact and the NETS-T (National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers).

Explain to which standard(s) and indicator(s) of the NETS-T the artifact relates most directly?

Explain which indicator(s) within the standard(s) the artifact addresses.

Explain how YOU think the artifact demonstrates that YOU meet the standard(s)/indicator(s).

Helpful Hints:

The information you provide in the reflection is not THE ARTIFACT.

The artifact itself must demonstrate that you meet the standard(s)/indicator(s).

The reflection EXPLAINS the artifact. It does not TAKE THE PLACE of the artifact.

The reflection helps the scorers understand what you had in mind. However, no explanation can make a poor artifact a good one.

Consider your audience. In most cases, the people reading your rationale will be your university instructors and classroom teachers; they may or may not be familiar with the particular application you describe so be specific in explaining.

Be certain to identify carefully, exactly, and specificallyHOW you believe the artifact demonstrates that you meet the standards/indicators.

Don’t generalize; be specific.

Limit yourself to one well organized and developed paragraph.

Use appropriate language, and complete sentences; check your spelling and punctuation. The reflection is, like all of your work, a indication your ability as a teacher.

Some parts of this document were adapted from

Appalachian StateUniversity. Suggested Guidelines for Developing an Effective Technology Rationale. Retrieved May 25, 2004, from