Hi, my name is Samantha Showacre. Welcome and thank you for viewing my digital portfolio. The purpose of this portfolio is to display the coursework I’ve completed in the Instructional Technology Master’s Program through Towson University. Through my experience in the program, I have many artifacts that showcase my knowledge, practice and understanding involving instructional design and the integration of technology into the classroom with alignment to the ISTE Coaching Standards. This portfolio will demonstrate my knowledge of these standards and will provide examples of how they will be addressed in teaching. The tabs above are labeled where you can navigate through the  ISTE Coaching Standards and the artifacts aligned to each. 

My Context Statement

Belief Statements

What do I believe about learning and teaching?

     I believe that students learn best when instruction is meaningful, relatable and allows for opportunities to explore. Instruction should also provide a variation of techniques to meet the diversity of the learners that we have in our classroom. All students come into the classroom with their own personal set of skills, interests of what they may find engaging, different backgrounds and different learning styles. As educators, I believe that we need to create  learning experiences that target our students, their interests, needs and keeps them actively involved. My beliefs are supported through Seymour Papert and his research based around the constructionist learning theory and the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework.

     Through my time in the instructional technology program, I have studied a lot of different learning theories and research related to the best instructional techniques based on student development. Constructionist learning exists by students "doing" and having more self-directed time for experimentation. Research involving Papert and his theory support that students learn best through tinkering or unstructured activities that resemble play. He also believed that actively questioning and providing students with opportunities based on partial knowledge gives a constructionism learning experience (Ellison, 2021). Through my artifacts, I have tried to share my beliefs related to this research by incorporating experiences into lessons that can target students and their interests through exploration, hands-on activities, class discussions and learning games. Many of these experiences have been provided to students through lessons using computer programs and technology.

     I also believe the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework is important when considering the lessons that we teach. The framework helps the educator to consider the individual learner by personalizing the instruction to provide flexibility so that all learners can access and participate in meaningful and challenging learning opportunities. This framework consists of three principals which included providing multiple means of engagement, representation, action and expression (Meyer, et al., 2014). When considering these principals, lessons can be created to provide variability to reach each learner and their specific needs based on their learning style. Incorporating technology has allowed for teaching and learning to be more differentiated. Through my artifacts, you will see the importance of this throughout with lessons that integrate videos, visuals, movement, maker projects, games, opportunities for choice etc.

     Technology has opened the door to many different possibilities when it comes to how we are teaching our students. Students have access to far more resources than what they have had in the past. My belief as an educator is to continue to advocate for the usage of varying technology into the classrooms. Even at young ages, our kids are growing up in a digital world and the ways that they are learning are changing. We can meet their needs and open doors for them with the usage of technology for teaching and learning.

What do I believe about using instructional technology in learning and teaching?

     Integrating technology into instruction provides students with endless opportunities to explore, create and connect with others. Technology connects learners with resources that they can access based on their interests. It also can provide student with individualized content to meet their needs as a learner. Classrooms continue to become more and more diverse. The classroom sizes also continue to grow, making it harder for educators to reach each learner and their specific needs in the class. Being able to differentiate for each learner is hard when there is such a wide range. Technology is a tool that can be used to help meet the needs of every learner in the classroom and provide the differentiation which is so important. In Papert's constructionist model of teaching, he states the computer can be used to help fill educational gaps (Papert, 1984). Educators in the field continue to see this as a way to regularly assess students, provide feedback and the assistance needed, along with differentiate materials. As you will see in my artifacts, it will be interesting to see where generative artificial intelligence (AI) will take us in the future now that it is being integrated into the classroom. New programs using this technology could help educators and students in so many different ways.

How do these beliefs have impact on and are reflected in my teaching practice?

When thinking about my beliefs in teaching, I always try to get to know my students and what excites them when it comes to learning. Once you understand your students and their interests, you can tailor activities so that they are more meaningful. This might involve providing options on how they complete their assignments or pulling in topics that are relatable or interesting to your kids. In addition to this, thinking about UDL and the different types of learners when designing lesson plans is helpful. In my experience, I have taught 4th and 1st grade with all of my artifacts for this course being based around 1st grade. I have taken a lot of time to incorporate variation in instructional strategies. I try to make learning in my classroom student centered to support my constructionism beliefs. I have been able to revise many lessons to include more visuals, videos, hands-on opportunities, team projects, and choice. I have used technology to support student learning and I have used technology programs to help with differentiation that has been needed for my wide range of learners. Overall, I feel that these strategies have been very effective for students.