Crystal Pullman's ePortfolio
For this course the chosen artifact is a website which was created by myself in conjunction with four other group members. My role here was mostly web design and uploading necessary additional files etc. This was the first of many such projects, and launched me into a lot of learning that I completed because of, and while in, the MET program, but was not necessarily a requirement of the program. I enjoyed this project, and working with my groupmates, very much.
As one of my key interests in this course emerged, Accessibility, I tried to incorporate that into all of my assignments. Although my role in this assignment was mostly graphic designer / file uploader, I tried to steer the content towards accessibility as well. This can be seen in some of the technologies chosen for this project, such as the Interactive White Board (a.k.a. SmartBOARD), and Assistive Technology.
I developed my belief, or theory if you will, throughout the MET program of Technology as an Equalizing Force, specifically in the area of accessibility. I believe that technology can be an equalizing force, as it can allow students with disabilities to learn in a "'socially-acceptable' and nonstigmatizing manner" (Gray & Silver-Pacuilla, 2008, 2). Gray and Silver-Pacuilla's article suggests "that technology as assistive devices can equalize education for students with disabilities" (Pullman, 2009).
This project was further developed, by the same group of people, for a later course, ETEC510. That course (which you will find in this Eportfolio, along with the website as artifact), includes many resources and tutorials for teachers to help incorporate technology into their classrooms. Technology, as I proposed in my Brief Philosophy of Education and completely believe, can be an equalizing force.
References:
Gray, T., & Silver-Pacuilla, H. (2007). The Future is Now: Application and Innovation of
Technology in Special Education. Journal of Special Education Technology, 22(3), 1-2.
Retrieved February 6, 2009, from Education Full Text database.
Pullman, C. (2009). Framing Issues: Technology Equalizing Mathematics and Science Education. Winter 2009, ETEC533.
