This document discusses several artifacts related to digital fluency and technology use. It summarizes creating spreadsheets to track student assessments using formulas. It also discusses using blogs to increase student writing and engagement by giving them an authentic audience. Another section describes collaboratively creating a video with teachers about a book using various software programs. It also discusses using email to communicate with teachers and creating an online resource site to help teachers troubleshoot technology issues. The document addresses several ISTE standards regarding using technology to support learning and collaboration.

1. Crystal Brooks
Two Summers Technology Certification
EPSY 5195
Digital Age Work and Learning
TechnologyFluency: Artifact 2
Many tech skills were required to create these spreadsheets. General knowledge and
understanding of rows, columns, and cells was needed. Understanding of =Sum
formula,=Average Formula to determine a standards based grade for each strand. The formulas
were created and tested in the first row to insure accuracy and later copy and pasted the
formulas in the necessary rows to extend to all classroom students. Then the strand cells were
linked together on the final spreadsheet using a formula (=AVERAGE('Unit 8'!M4,'Unit 11'!P4)).
The final data sheet allowed me and my fourth grade colleagues to easy see student
assessments in their daily work, math quizzes and math progress checks.
This would address NETS-T3a and c. This was a collaborative effort with the tuning protocols to
make sure that our ideas around exemplary work all the way to unacceptable student work was
discussed. While parents and students did not see this actual document it teachers were able to
be input directly into PowerSchool for the progress reports increasing teacher productivity
during progress report time.

2. Digital Fluency: Artifact 2
One of our district initiatives is to increase student writing potential. In many instances, we
know that having an authentic audience beyond school can be valued. This past year in district
we started with Google Apps, it was my job to look at Blogger as a potential tool for students
and teachers. There were many decisions to be made in order to create my blog. This was one
I was creating for the “Slice of Life” so I wanted a different name beyond my school title. That
took time, energy, and collaborations. Then I had to decide what I wanted for my art work that
would not break copyright. I wanted to demonstrate the power of “Imagine That” with risk taking
and commenting. One of the most challenging parts was coming up the content that I wanted to
share daily and then put it in a post, it required planning ahead.
While blogging is not a new tool, it is for the district and we are looking at it as a writing portfolio
opportunity for students. This would attack the “Model Digital Age and Learning” for teachers by
demonstrating a way to communicate with students, parents, and the world. This would be an
engaging and supportive way for students to write for a real audience, and in a place where
there parents could see student work and growth over time. This would address ISTE Nets for
Coaches 3g collaborating beyond the school walls.

3. Collaboration:Artifact 1
WMS_2014_One-Book-One-Read (Uploaded .mp4 format into google docs)
First, finding a spot that was quiet enough to record was extremely challenging. Then setting
the tripod to the right height, lighting was usable, interesting chair, and backdrop. I was using a
Digital Canon Camera to record the teachers and making sure that the sound was acceptable.
After recording each individual teacher, all video had to be exported from the camera onto a
computer and then put into Windows Movie Maker. Then make sure the videos were in the
correct order, add title slides, appropriate music, and transitions. Many of the videos also had to
be split and trimmed before they could be used. Once the project was complete it needed to be
made available to all teachers via our web-hosting Discovery Education, it was also placed on
the library website for absent students, parents, and the community at large. Finally all of the
video had to be deleted from the Canon camera and reformatted.
Video creation and production with a group would fall under the ISTE teacher NETs 3d and
ISTE Coach Nets 3c.
This helps me demonstrate for students the power of collaborative planning and media
production. I was also able to work collaboratively with teachers to use Windows Movie Maker
and DEVOS.
Communication: Artifact #1 Email
Email communication is a tool widely used to begin the collaborative process in my current
position. I send out weekly bulletins and highlights of what’s going on within the schools work in
to keep everyone up to date. I am charged with working with new teachers who often come with
a variety of skill levels. This particular teacher was new to our district this year, but very capable
in the area of technology. Instead of having her attend the workshop and be a huge waste of
her time, I did some video tutorials for our school website program and Microsoft Outlook for her
and she was able to accomplish the tech goals in the same workshop working at her own pace.

4. Communication: Artifact 2
One down fall in our district is the lack of information available to teachers regarding the process
for understanding how to receive help when they have difficulty with their technology. We also
provide PD and create videos for different groups that could benefit all of the teachers in our
district. The current information available is an unorganized list in FinalSite and teachers find it
very confusing. So in collaboration with the IT department, I started a Google Site with some
graphic links to information. This has come to be widely used by teachers in our district. Next
year we are hoping to add a piece where teachers can post for teachers, our hesitation is about
the moderation as we are very overwhelmed with large info structure problems.
This would address ISTE Coaches NETs in 3e and g because it is communication for the larger
community and supports teachers in their own problem solving and learning.
TechnologyOlogy

5. Information Resources
There is a very lengthy conversation taking place around rigor in our district at the elementary
level. Many teachers are equating rigor with more work instead of deeper thinking. This article
in MindShift would lend itself to a philosophical discussion among teachers and curriculum
leaders. We do a unit on Rollercoasters and we are having constant conversation regarding
deeper thinking and student engagement.
This would fall under the ISTE NETs 1a for Teachers in fostering creativity and innovative
thinking. The NETs Coaching standard 3 a. and f by working with teachers to determine the best
tools to leverage to help their students gain a deeper understanding.
A School that Ditches All the Rules but not the Rigor

6. Ethical
I think one of the largest ethical issues in the U.S. Education system is the “Digital-Divide.” This
used to be just access to WiFi and actual physical computers in classrooms. While that still
exists, there is now an even greater problem, schools who now have purchased equipment
updated info-structure do not have teachers who understand how to leverage the technology to
benefit their students. One must also consider not only the suburban-urban debate, but also the
rural systems that do not have the curriculum resources readily available to them without a high-
speed internet connection. How do those teachers find and participated in high-quality
professional development. High-Quality professional development could begin to be easily
available from-district-to-district initiatives the leverage the use of technologies like “Google
Hangouts”
This relates at such a personal level for me. I currently work in a district that is very wealthy and
small. They are able to higher curriculum writers and very high quality professional
development opportunities. In the rural U.S., teachers often have access no Professional
Development from their county districts or districts try to do one-size fits all. This is a reality for
my teaching friends in West Virginia, they are often envious of what is available to me through
professional development and technology resources.