About Mona

Welcome to my teaching with technology portfolio. Through my portfolio, you will find enormous number of my works and technology tools that I have done or discovered during my courses. But before that let me introduces myself to you :)

“Wish” is the meaning of my name “Mona”. Twenty-seven years ago, my parents had a boy for three years, and they were praying for a girl. When I was born, they considered me as a pretty wish come true. Therefore, they think I am a wish, and I have to work hard to achieve all my wishes as well as theirs which include earning a master’s degree.

I am from Saudi Arabia. I graduated from high school with unsatisfactory GPA, and my relatives guessed I won’t be able to complete my university studies. Here was the transition stage in my life. I challenged myself and my family to prove otherwise and change this picture. I worked hard and I earned a high GPA, which allowed me to received a full scholarship from King Abdullah to pursue my education in the United States. In 2005, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. To know more about me visit here. 

In winter 2012, my dream began. I started my first quarter in the Education program. I choose Instructional Media and Technology because I want to be an export in design, develop, and implement instructional and technology environment for my future students. Furthermore, The Teaching with Technology Certificate is aligned with and recognized by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and National Educational Technology (NET) Standards (ISTE, 2008). Earning this certificate is a grate way for me to improve my capacity in using technology in order to enhance, engage, and deliver learning in a variety of instructional settings.

In my portfolio, I am going to cover several essential subjects that related to technology and education. First of all, you will find a research about the importance of using technology in education and a video that illustrate how does technology affect education. Also, you will find a short explanation of The National Educational Technology Standards ISTE NET and how my works during the master program related to these standards. The artifacts were linked in the portfolio. In addition, you will find some educational tools that I have used or discovered during my work. Finaly, my resume, so readers can know more about me. 

Technology in Education

In the past, presenting face-to-face lectures, reading books, and completing assignments were the only learning methods in education. Learning was impossible without a teacher, books and blackboards. Today, the styles that teachers use to run the class have changed. They provide more positive ways for students to improve their learning and creativity. Students are the future and societies are changeable, and due to that fact teachers should use various instructional strategies to encourage students to develop their critical thinking and connect their knowledge with real-life experiences. Using cooperative learning and incorporating digital tools are the most effective strategies that I believe will promote student learning and creativity.

Why Technology in Education is Important?

 

Using technology in the field of education continues to become more prevalent; it has become a powerful tool that has changed the classroom role in myriad ways. Technology plays an important role in empowering students to be active learners rather than passive. It is an effective tool to increase motivation and self-esteem. Another effect of technology is increasing inclination on the part of students to work cooperatively and to provide peer tutoring (SRI International, n.d.). Consequently, it is important to integrate technology in classes. It allows teachers to provide a helpful environment and useful learning for all students. Baxter (2000) suggested that we should look not at teaching, but at the ways in which children learn and decide how technology can enhance that learning process. Any technology that could improve the learning process is not only useful; but necessary. Technology is an important component, and will play an increasingly pivotal role in fostering a successful student-centered learning environment. As long as our students are a digital native, teachers must take a leading role in designing appropriate learning environments that effectively incorporate technology in order to help their students learn well with technology.

  

References

Baxter, B.M. (2000, September/October). Returning to the one-room  schoolhouse. The Technology Source.  Retrieved from http://technologysource.org/article/returning_to_the_oneroom_schoolhouse/

[Inspired writing walkthrough guide]. Retrieved Mar 18, 2013 from: http://www.learnovationlab.org/tpack.html 

SRI International, (n.d.). Effects of technology on classrooms and students. The Office of Educational Research and Improvement U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved from: http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/effectsstudents.html