Connections with Key Issues in Educational Technology

• Developing Information literacy, technology skill in students: 

In my lesson plan I intend on teaching students how to use technologies they already use such as: cameras, webcams, microphones, and movie software in a rich and educational way. The stop motion video project will allow the students to interact with the technology to help form a better understanding for the content area being addressed. The students will also be learning how to continue to use these technology skills for educational purposes in the future. These skills will be implemented as part of the process of the project. The students will be experiencing for themselves how creative writing, storyboarding, and lateral thinking skills can be practiced using this set of transformative technology.

• Meeting the diverse needs of your students, assistive technologies, particularly through the idea of universal Designs for Learning (UDL):

My lesson will include a lot of differentiated instruction. Students will be able to illustrate their stories using both words and pictures. Students will be given several scaffolds teaching them how to create storyboards, characters, and backgrounds. They will first be instructed how to use the movie software, the process, storyboarding, character profiles and view numerous stop motion videos to get a better understanding of what they are trying to achieve. Then if students need to spend more time reviewing information or refer back to the information when needed they can go to my stop motion website. There will also be resources on my website that students can refer to when they reach an obstacle or they want to learn more about a certain aspect of the project.
In order to compensate for different skill levels I will create three different levels of rubrics. This ensures that students will be graded on their ability level. I will also make sure that I put together groups of students according to learning styles and ability levels. 

• Social and ethical uses of technology:

My students have to be aware of the schools online polices. At the beginning the school year all students had to turn in a signed paper stating that they understood the rules. They also have to fill out another form for my classroom. But, for this specific project the ethical issue that needs to be addresses is copyright and fair use.
My students will have already completed a copyright and fair use lesson plan. In this project, my students create their own common craft video in groups explaining the different parts of copyright and fair use. Before beginning the stop motion video project, we will review the videos. The students can also refer back to the videos at any time on my website. It is important that students know the rules on written work, artwork and music for this project.

• Using Technology to Facilitate/Develop Creativity and Critical Thinking Skills in Students: 

I think my plan joins creativity and critical thinking skills. My plans is to teach students how to be creative by practicing lateral thinking to explore different possibilities until they come up with a unique idea of their own. By creating a unique stop motion movie using art, technology, and creative writing students are allowed to explore unlimited possibilities while still learning a set of cross curricular skills.

• Using Technology to Engage in Professional Development and Leadership

In order to be the most proficient teacher possible I am participating in professional development to enhance my stop motion video knowledge. I believe that a majority of my professional development would be free. There are many how to websites available to read and watch demonstration videos. One of the websites I found an abundance of information on is http://www.stopmotionworks.com/index.html.  It contains hundreds of different tutorials.