Technology Learning Quests

 

Professional Development: Gamified Basic Instructional Technology Skills Training

Teacher’s goals are to master levels by checking off as many of the quests as possible. 

 Advanced: providing evidence,

·          Proficient: providing a scenario of how they will use it

·         Developing: Providing information about the skill

Level 1 Mastery Quest: To have basic understanding of what the most common technology tools are. Write a blog article or share a twitter post. 

Level 2 Mastery Quest: To have a basic understanding of how the most common technology tools are used in the classroom. Show pictures of use in the classroom. 

Level 3 Mastery Quest: To provide a scenario for how the tool and/or skill can be used in the classroom.Provide a lesson plan or blog article of the tool being used in the classroom. 

Level 4  Mastery Quest: Provide evidence of using the skill. Provide a lesson plan, video and pictures explaining to others how to use the tool. 

Basic Skills

Collaboration	Use Social bookmarking to share resources with and between learners Collaborate with other teachers through email.
Communication	Exploit digital images for classroom use following all copyright laws Use infographics to visually stimulate students Create a newsletter with graphics and text Use Google Earth for communicating sense of place Communicate with other teachers through email. Access web and email from home or on another network such as a coffee shop.
Creativity	Add video, audio and images to presentations Create powerpoint presentations Take a photo or video using a camera or video camera.
Critical Thinking	Understand issues related to copyright and fair use of online materials Find and evaluate authentic web based content Identify online resources that are safe for students browsing Critically evaluate the best use of a technology tool by creating the lesson first and then choosing the tools to support the outcome. Know how to search the web to learn about new technology Protect privacy and security when publishing students’ writing or images on the web.
Feedback	Gather feedback from your students about the technology they would like to use. Gather feedback using a spreadsheet, create charts and graphs with it.
Innovation	Learn a new technology tool by investigating and transferring knowledge from another tool such as Aviary for photo editing Create a new vocabulary list of the technology terms you learn using VocabGrabber Use an old tool in a new way in your classroom such as using a digital camera to have students document results in a lab. Use 1 iPad as a document camera
Presentation	Use video content to engage students Exploit digital images for classroom use following all copyright laws Learn about the different ways to use YouTube in your classroom Create Google Presentations using Video and Images Use Google Earth to incorporate into Lessons for sense of place
Problem Solving	Have a knowledge about online security Learn how to identify the problem with troubleshooting technology hardware and software. Be able to communicate the problem to the appropriate person.
Productivity	Use of online graphic organizers and printables Use word processor or online tool for unit, lesson creation. Use grading software or spreadsheet Save and access files on your schools network
Reflection	Find and evaluate authentic web based content Maintain notes, journal or bookmarks for learning technology
Social Networking	Use Social bookmarking to share resources with and between learners such as Delicious

Proficient Skills

Collaboration	Participate in online Communities such as Edmodo Use Digital Tools such as Voicethread Use of collaborative tools for text construction and editing such as Google Docs
Communication	Use digital web 2.0 tools such as Voicethread Use Edmodo to Communicate with your Students Curate web content for classroom learning using tools such as Livebinder Communicate with other teachers outside your district with Discussion Boards, Chat Rooms, or Twitter
Creativity	Create IWB presentations Create and edit digital audio Create and edit digital video Create online interactive content such as Glogster or Museum Box Create a Google Earth Tour Create a lesson that addresses ISTE NETS Standards
Critical Thinking	Be able to detect plagiarized works in students assignments Conduct A Research Paper Using Digital Tools Design or teach a lesson where students evaluate accuracy, relevance, appropriateness and bias of websites Learn how to copyright student work and determine who has permission to publish on the web.
Feedback	Use polling software to create a real-time survey in class such as EasyPolls or Poll Everywhere Use digital assessment tools to create quizzes such as Google Forms or Gradecam Use collaborative feedback tools such as WallWisher Provide rubrics for technology projects and assignments
Innovation	Use of mobile devices like tablets for creating content not just consuming content Use of online sticky notes to capture interesting ideas Use of QR Codes for a variety of lessons such as answering questions, solving a mystery, or looking for additional information on a topic. Create a lesson that addresses ISTE NETS Standards
Presentation	Uses online presentation software such as Animoto, Google Presentation or Haiku Deck Design a lesson where students use presentation software to share the knowledge and learning.
Problem Solving	Conduct an effective search query with the minimum time possible Create a troubleshooting flowchart for solving technology hardware and software problems. Know how to search for your technology problem on the web.
Productivity	Use and provide students with task management tools to organize their work and plan their learning such as iPad Apps or Flowchart.com Use digital tools for time management purposes such as Doodle Save and access files in the Cloud using Dropbox or Box   Know how to use all aspects of PowerTeacher, put in Workorders or use ESS.
Reflection	Maintain a blog or word processor notes of learned skills Have students reflect on their learning through technology by replying to your blog. Have students reflect and plan their own learning using electronic goal setting tools such as Cacoo, Flowchart or Creately
Social Networking	Use Social networking sites to connect with colleagues and grow professionally such as Twitter, Facebook, Linked In or Edmodo or Pinterest

Advanced Skills

Collaboration	Setup Google Docs, Blogger and Sites for your students to Manage Setup Wikispaces for your students Exploit group text messaging tools for collaborative project work Uses Videoconference tools to meet for PLC such as Tandberg or Bridgit
Communication	Utilize a Learning Management System such as PowerCourse or Canvas, or Schoology Maintain a Website with Weebly Use Jing to Screencast Lessons Use notetaking tools to share interesting content with your students Use file sharing tools to share docs and files with students online Communicate with other teachers outside your district by participating in Webinars
Creativity	Create content for a Flipped Classroom Create screen capture videos and tutorials for your students Create a lesson in which students create digital portfolios
Critical Thinking	Use Scratch to teach process of Critical Thinking Use Google Earth to create a Lit Trip Have students use Learning Management System to track their own learning and assignment completion.   Learn to use software applications on your own through online help and web-based tutorials. Evaluate and select educational software to help students meet content standards.
Feedback	Use Learning Management System tools to gain and provide constant feedback from students, including time spent on assignments, evaluation of assignments, further thoughts through discussion boards etc. Use digital assessment results to plan lessons and units such as Fluency 21 Planner
Innovation	Exploit computer games for pedagogical purposes Learn to create augmented reality media to use with your textbook. Use technology to individualize or adapt a lesson for special needs. Bea able to adapt a lesson for an environment that is 1 computer or a computer lab.
Presentation	Create and deliver asynchronous presentations and training sessions Use of screen casting tools to create and share tutorials Teach a lesson where students create digital media to express learning.
Problem Solving	Know how to safely test different solutions to a technology problem Know how to help others with technology problems Learn to use software applications on your own through online help and web-based tutorials.
Productivity	Use file sharing tools to share docs and files with students online Annotate web pages and highlight parts of text to share with your class Use flowcharts and organizational tools to plan for classroom lessons such as Cacoo Share files and documents in the cloud using Dropbox or Box
Reflection	Compile a digital e-portfolio for their own development using a website such as Weebly, Google Sites, or Blogger Have students reflect on ISTE NETS Standards
Social Networking	Use social networking sites to learn such as Acadmeia.Edu Participate in a variety of online professional communities based on your Content area. Create your own professional learning community online.

From 33 21^st Century Skills Every Teacher should know:

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/06/33-digital-skills-every-21st-century.html

NETs-T Assessment, Resources for Assessment ISTE Publications

To provide a gamified learning environment, I will utilize an established gamified platform as a starting point, 3dGamelab. This platform will allow for the missions and levels to be housed, as well as providing immediate feedback as participants work through the missions. The creation of the missions and levels will be based on the ISTE technology standards and will incorporate levels of challenge (Like, 2013). In addition the whole gamification model will be set on a storyline in which the participants act as a diplomat working with a representative of the Galactic Federation who is fascinated by our technology in our education. However, there is concern that an enemy alien may attack the federation and planet Earth, as there is a belief that youth or teachers are not using technology. Thus there is a massive race to integrate as much technology in the year that it takes the alien enemy to reach out planet. The more the participants work together increase usage, the more points they earn to build a shield to protect the planet and federation ship. However, teachers must complete and report missions regularly requesting help of their Instructional Technology Teachers as needed. In some cases teachers will need to provide evidence of success and students will utilize the technology to produce solutions to advert the attacking aliens.  Teachers may choose their character super powers (McGonigal, 2011) and will be rewarded with additional power-ups and supplies for their backpack. Finally players will have a constant visual of their force field around their planet. The more technology integrated into lessons, the thicker the shield; as the youth will most likely grow to produce better methods for protecting our planet using their technology skills.

McGonigal, J. (2011). Reality is broken: Why games make us better and how they can change the world. Penguin. com.

Like, C. (2013). The Teacher's Water Cooler: Mission Possible: Playing Games with Professional Development. Mission Possible: Playing Games with Professional Development. Retrieved December 7, 2013, from http://teacherswatercooler.blogspot.com/2013/02/mission-possible-playing-games-with.html