Welcome

This is my portfolio to show my completion of work in the area of Instructional Technology from the University of Northern Iowa. The following pages show my experience in this area. In the Matrices sections it includes matrices that describe how different documents I have created matched ECIT standards. These artifacts from classes can be found under the Artifacts section. The ECIT standards are more defined under the Standards section and there is a final reflection that shows what I have learned during my Masters program.

-Joseph Hegland

Philosophical Statement

Technology is a powerful tool that can benefit many that use it in their learning. When used appropriately this tool has infinite possibilities and planning is essential to make sure that the best results are possible. Be courageous and try to include technology into everyday teaching. After completing my Masters in Instructional Technology I have come up with many different ideas that will influence me with my use of technology in the field of education.

One author influenced my feelings towards technology in the field and how it should be perceived by the teachers and the students. Jane Healy wrote in her book, Failure to Connect, about how computers can be seen as a teacher of a topic, when really it is a tool to help with the teaching. Whether helping other people with technology or using it myself I need to remember that I am the teacher. The technology that I am using is just helping to support what I am teaching the students. Students should never just be given a program and assume they are learning without any kind of support from myself. I need to backup my use of technology with my own facilitation of curriculum.

When talking about the ways to teach technology to students there was a large influence from an author for me as well. Palloff and Pratt in their book Building Learning Communities in Cyberspace they describe the concept of "double-loop learning." This is where students learn technology while in another content-area. It has made me realize that to make the technology make sense to students they have to have a reason to use it. The reason is because it goes along with what they are already learning. Whether teaching or planning with others it makes sense to combine technology with their learning in the classroom.