1. Anna Driver MEDT 3401 Fall 2011
2. Tips for using XMind Use Shift+Enter to go down a line in a given bubble Double-click a bubble to edit text.
3. Top 5 Tools
   1. XMind
      1. either as a tool for myself or my students
   2. Wikispace
      1. as a class site overflowing with whats going on in Economics!
   3. Windows Movie Maker
      1. as a project tool for my students
   4. Podcast
      1. for directions to projects when we're out of school and they have questions on how to complete their assignments
   5. Microsoft Excel
      1. to compile data when studying supply and demand
4. Essential Conditions I Can Influence
   1. Skilled Personnel
   2. Student Centered Learning
   3. Assessment and Evaluation
5. 2 Goals
   1. I will attempt to engage students in exploring real world issues and solving authentic problems with digital tools and resources.
   2. I will attempt to collaborate with students, parents and other teachers to support student success and innovation.
6. Assistive Technology Tools
   1. Windows XP Voice
   2. Windows Narrator
7. My Threats
   1. Technical Support
      1. Technical Support is definitely a threat for me but I hadn't thought of ways to overcome the issue. Perhaps, ask fellow teachers who have already conquered the issue that I am facing or look online for youtube tutorials.
   2. Equitable Access
      1. I do not know the answer to equitable access. Perhaps more funding for school libraries/media centers? Students and their parents do need access to the tools necessary to succeed in a modern day classroom.
   3. Ongoing Professional Learning
      1. Ongoing Professional Learning would be a threat to me because technology intimidates me and I would not be an advocate for additional training, even though I would need it the most.
8. My Opportunities
   1. There is a program called Virtual Economics that is currently being used in Carroll County schools. It is an awesome program that allows economics educators to not only tell but also show their students how economics works.
   2. There is an economics website that is being created by Dr. Dutt (who works in UWG's Economics department). He is going to make the site totally free to educators and it will be up and running by the time I graduate. He has already offered to help me with it, to best learn to navigate and use it in my classroom.
   3. In Carroll County a new tax known as SPLOST has been implemented to help pay for improvements in our educational system. SPLOST dollars are used to purchase items such as smartboards, ipads for the students and laptops for the teachers.
9. My Weaknesses
   1. Develop technology enriched learning environments
      1. There is a economics "game" called the stock market game that economics teachers across the state of Georgia use. It is not required that your students play the game but it is a fun learning tool. I'll just have to take a deep breath and plunge in for my student's sake!
   2. Demonstrate fluency in technology systems
      1. Well, I probably won't attempt to use a technology tool/system that I am not fluent in. This isn't a proactive answer but it is a sufficient workaround.
   3. Model and facilitate use of current technology tools
      1. The only way around my not modeling and encouraging my students to use current technology tools is for me to face my fears, believe in the technology, and use it myself.
10. My Strengths
    1. I am quite proficient in working with my wikispace. It is user friendly and enjoyable.
    2. I will be able to use the digital movie that I made in Windows Movie Maker in my economics classroom.
    3. I am doing rather well in XMind and will not only use this tool myself but I will also have my students use this program.