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=M.Ed. in Media, Instructional Technology = =University of West Georgia =

James Trask's Portfolio


= Introduction =

My name is James Trask and welcome to my instructional technology portfolio. I currently teach special education at Fayette County High School in Fayetteville, GA. I primarily co-teach math to sophomores an juniors. I also have been given the opportunity to co-teach British literature this year as well. I have invested much time ensuring that the instructional design and technology projects that I completed could easily be integrated in the content that I teach. Inside this wiki you will find samples of the work that I have compiled through West Georgia's Instructional Technology program since I began in the summer of 2010. This portfolio is set up to relate to the five specific ISTE standards in the navigation bar at the left. Click on the link to each standard to review the ISTE standard and view the artifacts that I have chosen from my coursework that I feel best relates or signifies the work that I have completed at West Georgia. Each artifact is accompanied by a brief reflection that describes the relationship to each standard. You can navigate directly to each standard from the sidebar or you can use the navigation link at the end of each page to go to the next standard.

=1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity= = = =2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments= = = =3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning= = = =4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility= = = =5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership=

= Resume =

= Overall Reflection = It is hard to put into words the amount of knowledge that I have gain through the masters in instructional technology program at the University of West Georgia. The professors were excellent instructional designers and the courses were designed in a way to meet the specific needs of all students. Most of the instruction was designed with a constructivist approach in mind where students are required to collaborate with others and explore resources. The use of asynchronous technology through discussion postings was the most helpful. I got to learn from the experiences and ideas of my peers. I was often able to participate in informal learning by listening to the techniques and ideas of the other students and then take them back to my own classroom and apply them to my own lessons. I am a collaborative special education teacher and through the knowledge that I have gained through this program I have increased the awareness of the role technology should play in the classroom among my collaborative teaching partners. The impression that I have been able to leave with these teachers is a testament to the rigorous nature of the instructional technology program at West Georgia.

I recently got in an argument with a friend and coworker of mine because he told me the a masters in education is a "fluff" program. He received his masters from West Georgia in mathematics. Once I showed him some of the work that I had completed he backed off of his previous comments and he now is considering pursuit of his EDS in instructional technology from West Georgia.

My intentions for the future are to pursue a instructional technology job in the school system where I currently work. As new legislature is passed more and more online learning requirements and opportunities will be needed, so I plan to also eventually participate in the development of an online or blended learning offering for my school district. The market for distance education in K-12 is growing rapidly and I desperately want to be a leader in the development of these types of learning opportunities for my school system.
 * Future Career Goals **