What are the Professional Standards for Michigan Teachers? I asked myself that question when assigned by my professor at Central Michigan University, Bruce Umpstead, to compare them to the objectives in my EDU 590 course. Since I had no knowledge of what the Professional Standards for Michigan Teachers consisted of, I was curious to find out so I read all of the standards. I knew that teaching CST-155 Microsoft Excel at Delta College was helping to prepare students for the workforce. I tell my students that job candidates who know software programs like Microsoft Excel over candidates that don’t are more likely to win the job. In my teaching profession, we are not required to incorporate standards into our course. We are given college objectives for each course that must be followed. I was astonished to find that the course I teach is somewhat centered on the standards. My class promotes literacy in a variety of contexts by offering text, graphics and multimedia. Our college is very focused on diversity and my teaching style accommodates learner diversity. I could keep going, but our assignment is to concentrate on the 7th Standard – Technology. Before I do this, I would like to state that the current online course I am enrolled in at CMU is a prime example of how I want to improve my current course curriculum. My professor has really engaged my thinking to a higher complex level. He as structured the classroom environment to promote positive interactions and self-esteem. I know that he has made me feel like a valued student researcher (that’s what he calls us).
On to discuss the technology standard – the 7th standard. Our first two assignments on plagiarism and wikiality really engaged the student researchers to discuss ethical and social issues involving the use of technology in our classroom. This class is also designed to introduce the class participants to emerging technologies by Professor Umpstead’s use of blogging and a YouTube video presentation that is required. As a CST instructor, I think that CMU’s use of Wimba software was the epitome for me. This allows our class to gather together online weekly via a headset and microphone. A PowerPoint Presentation and examples of our weekly assignments are posted for viewing while we are all engaged in discussion. Along with all of this going on, students can have sideline chats. The online sessions are then archived to view again or for those students that need to be absent from class. This is one example of the 7th standard to facilitate learning that could not possible without technology.
The EDU 590 course is the best classroom experience I have ever had. This is because Bruce Umpstead has aligned the EDU 590 course not only to the 7th technology standard, but to all of the Michigan Standards for Teachers.
Bibliography
"Michigan Standards for Ensuring Excellent Educators." Web. 30 Jan 2011.
“Professional Standards for Michigan Teachers." Web. 30 Jan 2011.
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