Dee Bowdon's Professional Portfolio
I am in my eighth year of teaching at the elementary level. Currently, I teach 4th grade math and social studies in the private school sector at River Oaks Baptist School. I have four previous years of teaching experience in public school in Kindergarten and 3rd grade. I am a native Houstonian and a graduate of Texas A & M University. I am in the process of earning my Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Instructional Technology through Houston Baptist University.
Educational Philosophy
I believe that every child is created uniquely; each with different needs and learning styles. As an educator, I feel it is my role to meet my students where they are individually and help see those needs be met. I feel teaching the whole child, academically, emotionally, spiritually, socially, morally, and physically, is extremely important.
I believe I can help my students achieve success in all of these areas by creating a safe, nurturing, and challenging environment. I realize I leave a lasting impact on my students, and my goal is to encourage them and help them to believe they can achieve anything they put their minds to. Rather than a child seeing his/her differences as a hindrance in the classroom, I want to help build confidence within that child, so those differences can be seen as positives qualities that make that child who he/she was created to be.
Just like my students, I consider myself a lifelong learner. I am always seeking ways to grow as a educator. I think it's important for my students to see that learning continues through life, regardless of age. I want to continue to grow in my profession and become more knowledgable while staying up to date on the latest techonolgies and research in the classroom. I feel blessed to fill such an impactful role in our society. My students bring so much joy to my life!
I believe that every child is created uniquely; each with different needs and learning styles. As an educator, I feel it is my role to meet my students where they are individually and help see those needs be met. I feel teaching the whole child, academically, emotionally, spiritually, socially, morally, and physically, is extremely important.
I believe I can help my students achieve success in all of these areas by creating a safe, nurturing, and challenging environment. I realize I leave a lasting impact on my students, and my goal is to encourage them and help them to believe they can achieve anything they put their minds to. Rather than a child seeing his/her differences as a hindrance in the classroom, I want to help build confidence within that child, so those differences can be seen as positives qualities that make that child who he/she was created to be.
Just like my students, I consider myself a lifelong learner. I am always seeking ways to grow as a educator. I think it's important for my students to see that learning continues through life, regardless of age. I want to continue to grow in my profession and become more knowledgable while staying up to date on the latest techonolgies and research in the classroom. I feel blessed to fill such an impactful role in our society. My students bring so much joy to my life!
Master Technology Teacher Standards
Standard I: The Master Technology Teacher effectively models and applies classroom teaching methodology and curriculum models that promote active student learning through the integration of technology and addresses the varied learning needs of all students.
Standard II: The Master Technology Teacher selects and administers appropriate technology-related assessments on an ongoing basis and uses the results to design and improve instruction.
Standard III: The Master Technology Teacher applies knowledge of digital learning competencies including Internet research, graphics, animation, website mastering and video technology.
Standard IV: The Master Technology Teacher serves as a resource regarding the integration of assistive technologies and accessible design concepts to meet the needs of all students.
Standard V: The Master Technology Teacher facilitates appropriate, research-based technology instruction by communicating and collaborating with educational stakeholders; mentoring, coaching and consulting with colleagues; providing professional development opportunities for faculty; and making decisions based on converging evidence from research.
Standard I: The Master Technology Teacher effectively models and applies classroom teaching methodology and curriculum models that promote active student learning through the integration of technology and addresses the varied learning needs of all students.
Standard II: The Master Technology Teacher selects and administers appropriate technology-related assessments on an ongoing basis and uses the results to design and improve instruction.
Standard III: The Master Technology Teacher applies knowledge of digital learning competencies including Internet research, graphics, animation, website mastering and video technology.
Standard IV: The Master Technology Teacher serves as a resource regarding the integration of assistive technologies and accessible design concepts to meet the needs of all students.
Standard V: The Master Technology Teacher facilitates appropriate, research-based technology instruction by communicating and collaborating with educational stakeholders; mentoring, coaching and consulting with colleagues; providing professional development opportunities for faculty; and making decisions based on converging evidence from research.
Standard I |
Artifact |
ReflectionWhile making my collage, I learned how to use various tools in Microsoft Word that I never knew existed. I was able to manipulate shapes, move pictures, create borders, tables, word art, and more. This project demonstrates a level of competency with Standard I, because while the teacher models each tool, the student is learning and then follows the steps on his/her own creation.
Creating the graphic organizer reflection on chapter 4 & 5 allowed me to learn and practice using techniques with shapes, different, colors and fonts in Microsoft Word. This is a great tool to model to students and then have them create their own product on their own using the same tools. For that reason, it demonstrates a level of competency with Standard I. Through making this screencast, I learned how to use a program called Screencast-O-Matic to create a tutorial for my students on how to complete an online lesson. Therefore, I am able to model teaching with in a way that technology is incorporated into it. Creating this sketch cast using Educreations allowed me to learn how to teach a lesson solely online. By setting up a link on my weebly site, my students are able to watch the tutorial/lesson and learn a new concept without having to be face to face with the teacher. A podcast is a great way to teach a new concept to your students while integrating technology. This artifact is a plus for auditory learners, because there is no visual component, so you can learn something new without having to sit at your computer screen watching something. With the creation of this flipped online lesson, I learned how to develop a lesson that is partially online and partially face to face. I am able to teach my students a new concept with the use of various technologies that they access from a computer at home, while also continuing the lesson and additional enrichment face to face the next day when they return to class. Creating this totally online lesson plan taught me how to teach my students something new solely through technology and online learning. I have the ability as the teacher to teach but also assess without being face to face with my students. Being able to teach this way frees up class time to work with students who may need more support than a normal class without the at home teaching component would allow. This webquest was created to encourage students to work as a team to complete a math statistics project. Through their efforts they learn about various math vocabulary and types of graphs along with how to creatively present gathered information to their classmates. They also improve their skills on navigating around the internet while visiting various math websites and participating in educational videos and activities. This portfolio includes various different models of teaching formatted into ten unique lesson plans. Each allows the teacher to teach in a way that encourages students to take responsibility for their own learning and help construct knowledge, skills, and values. |
Standard II |
Artifact |
ReflectionThrough creating my own rubric online, I learned what an amazing time saver it can be compared to creating one from scratch on paper. It allowed me to as specific as I wanted to be on specific categories which made my expectations clear to my students. I was able to demonstrate that technology can be used to create a rubric for a specific assessment.
Using the program Blubbr, I learned how to create an online trivia quiz incorporating various videos I used in my flipped lesson plan. This artifact meets standard II, because the quiz acts as an assessment and allows me as the teacher to improve instruction if I notice there are gaps in any of the learning. I used a program called Proprofs.com and created an online assessment for my students to take as part of my totally online lesson plan. The great thing about this tool is that I learned how to assess my students and grade their attempts without needing to be face to face. It allows for many opportunities for those teachers trying to incorporate more online instruction and online assessments. The multimedia lesson plan I created is a structured plan for students to create a Stop Motion Video using the app, Stop Motion. The plan allows multiple opportunities for the teacher to assess the students and for the students to assess one another and themselves. |
Standard III |
Artifact |
ReflectionMaking a treasure hunt was a fun way to demonstrate incorporating research with technology in the classroom. I learned how to create a document that guides students to multiple websites to find answers to various questions I created for them.
The tease allowed me to apply my knowledge of digital learning and video technology to create a movie for my students. Not only was it engaging for my students, but it was educational. I learned how to combine movie clips, music, and images together to create my own unique movie along with correctly citing each source at the end. By using Delicious, an online organizational tool, I was able to apply my knowledge of internet research to keep track of material that would be useful for a research project. I found 25 useful websites, images, and lesson plans and tagged them permanently for future use. This would be a great tool to use with students working on research to keep up with information they've already found and want to easily find again. Using Photoshop, I learned how to create a logo from scratch. I applied my new knowledge of graphic design and implementing multiple layers to make a finished product. I used Photoshop once again to make a product that showed my knowledge of digital learning and graphics. I was able to create a banner that I could use in my own math class. that included multiple layers of design, text and images. By using the program, InDesign, I was able to familiarize myself with various tools and apply that knowledge to make a product. I created a page with my 3 initials that displayed stark contrast through black and white letters and 3 different fonts that were 3 different sizes. I learned what a non-linear power point looks like and was able to apply that knowledge to make one of my own. My end product was a non-linear power point on the 4 elements of design: contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity. I continued to learn a lot while using the program, InDesign. For this specific artifact, I applied my knowledge of various tools and design elements to create a well-balanced flyer. Through this newsletter project, I learned how to use a variety of tools within the InDesign program and in turn apply those to create my own product. I learned a lot about graphic design, placement, color, alignment, and text. The Why Teach multimedia video was created to be a motivational tool to inspire others to teach and see the difference that teachers make. IMovie was used to create the video which allows the user to combine text, music, and pictures into one final piece. This music video was a piece I created using a software called Wondershare. It enables the user to combine the use of multiple tools to create one final multimedia project. Text, pictures, music, and slide transitions were used to make the final product. The stop motion podcast is another example of a multimedia piece that can be very beneficial as a teaching piece and user friendly tool for students. Hundreds of frames are brought together into a final product that shows a step by step process with music and special effects added. |
Standard IV |
Artifact |
ReflectionInstead of this unit being comprised of all ordinary lessons done with paper and pencil, it includes multiple activities that require computers. Technology is integrated and woven into the plan which will allow students practice using tools they may or may not be accustomed to. This variety of activities helps meet the needs of all students.
Technology is used within this artifact through Microsoft Word and additional font downloads and allows for many different font options to meet the varying needs/desires of students. |
Standard V |
ArtifactPsychology Research Paper
(Gender Differences in an Academic Setting) Dissertation Reflection Historical Foundations of Education Power Point Discussion on Distance Learning 16 Things Blog Book Study Personal Wiki Technology Coaching Internship Paper: Mentoring Fellow Teachers How To Use Scholastic Story Starter: Teaching a New Technology Tool Proposal for Symposium |
ReflectionBy researching this specific topic and writing a paper about it, my eyes were opened to so many differences I was not aware of between boys and girls in the academic setting. I realized both sexes have many different needs, and in order to be an effective teacher, I need to maintain a classroom atmosphere that is conducive to both boys and girls. For this project, I used technology based research along with information I read from a book. I consulted different faculty members on my school campus along with conducting an experiment in my own classroom to see if the results were consistent with my research.
For this assignment I shared my thoughts on a dissertation I read for a specific research class. The dissertation's subject was incorporating technology into the elementary classroom. Because I am an elementary school teacher, it was very applicable to me and some of the various strategies I use to incorporate technology into my own classroom. I communicated and collaborated with other classmates as we learned the most important parts of conducting research prior to my reflection, which demonstrates a level of competency with Standard V. This artifact is a presentation on education from The Depression to The War on Poverty. Once created, I presented the information via the use of Power Point to the rest of the class. It meets Standard V, because I facilitated instruction by use of technology. This artifact meets Standard V, because it is a response to an online discussion prompt and with it comes communicating and consulting with colleagues about the current state of affairs of distance learning at the K-12 level, higher education level, and flipped classroom environment. I learned from my research that distance learning as a whole is on the rise and offers a lot of benefits to the students who are participating. For this assignment, I became familiar with many of the latest technology and web 2.0 tools. I learned not only how to use them, but I was able to create things that I may be able to use in my own classroom as well. I learned a lot and enjoyed the experience. Along with posting the tools, I also shared my reflections on using each one. For this assignment, I read Salman Khan's One World School House and consulted with a small group on our findings. We wrote a paper based on the ideas the book presents along with our own reflections and the opinions of some critics. I learned a lot of from this book and much about the many benefits of Khan Acadmey and "flipping the classroom". Through the creation of my own personal wiki, I researched and learned a lot about "flipping the classroom". I wanted to investigate what that term really means and what a "flipped" classroom really looks like. I went through the 8 W's of inquiry-based research, and as a result came away with a lot of new knowledge on the subject. For the course of the 2014 spring semester, I coached three fellow teachers on my campus in technology use. Spending a total of 45 hours with them, I taught them how to use new web tools and how to complete various tasks on their computers, and as a result helped them inplement what they learned into their teaching. I presented this tool at HBU's technology symposium as well as to a few teachers on my school's campus. Scholastic Story Starter is a great tool to assist K-6 students with creating story prompts and helping them get started when beginning a new piece. I used this tool in my own classroom, and my students loved it! This assignment includes the step by step process in using the tool as well as my proposal submitted prior to the symposium. |