Action+Research+Plan


 * Describe the Problem and Areas of Focus:** Dakota State University College of Education pre-service teachers are weak in understanding how student use technology to enhance learning and extend capability and promote creativity.


 * Identify the Factors:** There is one group with a total of 14 samples included in this action research.


 * Develop a Question:** Will lessons directed at increasing capability and promoting creativity help improve understanding of technology tools for the classroom.

I will integrate 21st Century Skills and technology into my lesson plans to focus on the South Dakota Educational Technology Standard 9-12.CT.2: Students use technology to enhance learning, extend capability, and promote creativity.
 * Describe a Plan:**

I will administer a pre and post-test to see the students’ familiarity with a variety of Web2.0 tools. The pre and post tests will be done using a Google Doc’s Form. This was done because the students were not entered in Achievement Series. 9-12.CT.21: Utilize a virtual learning environment as a strategy to build 21st Century learning Skills.


 * Reflection:** Being a part of the STAT21 grant has allowed me to look at new ways of delivering information about tools that will help to increase 21st Century Learning. With the change of my position, the project was at first a little hard to get started on. As I began my project with students that were in the year before student teaching, it allowed me to share information that would help them in their future classroom. The information that I was able to look at allowed me to redevelop lessons for my classes as well as future conferences and presentations. I thought the material that was provided through the STAT21 workshops were very helpful and I have been encouraging co-workers to take advantage of future opportunities.


 * Implications for Future Work:** I think by exposing my students and other teachers that I work with to Achievement Series, the k12 technology standards, and 21st Century learning will be a very important part of my role both with the school district and the university. I think as I look to next year I will really want to expose pre-service teachers to Achievement Series as well as all the ways to support collaboration with technology. I think it will be important for me to help show current teachers the role that these tools will play in their classroom as well.