Reflective Analysis of Portfolio Artifact

Rationale/Reflection
InTASC Standard:
Standard #5: Application of Content
The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use
differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking,
creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic
local and global issues (InTASC, 2013).
Initial Content Standard 4: Instructional Strategies
Special educators possess a repertoire of evidence-based
instructional strategies to individualize instruction for individuals
with exceptional learning needs. Special educators select, adapt,
and use these instructional strategies to promote positive
learning results in general and special curricula and to modify
learning environments appropriately for individuals with
exceptional learning needs. They enhance the learning of critical
thinking, problem-solving, and performance skills of individuals
with exceptional learning needs, and increase their selfawareness, self-management, self-control, self-reliance, and selfesteem. Moreover, special educators emphasize the development,
maintenance, and generalization of knowledge and skills across
environments, settings, and the life span. Beginning special
educators demonstrate their mastery of this standard through the
mastery of the CEC Common Core Knowledge and Skills, as well
as through the appropriate CEC Specialty Area(s) Knowledge and
Skills for which the program is preparing candidates.
Brief Description of Evidence: (include semester completed)
As part of my EDUC201 class in the Spring Semester of 2016, I
had the opportunity to work primarily with the technological
aspect of education. I thought that Standard #5 would be a great

standard because as a class we learned about various devices

used in education including; iPads, Chrome Cast, and Scratch that
can be used in the classroom and how to use them efficiently. As
a class we played games such as Engineering Ants almost like an
icebreaker for the start of the semester. I believed this to be a
great way to get students involved and collaborating with each
other while also learning about engineering. Critical Thinking was
the main basis around majority of the games we played in class.
The game, Robot Turtles, is a coding game where kids learn more
about the creation of software etc. This Standard truly represents
the things we did as a class and how we incorporated a variety of
contents including science and engineering.

Analysis of What I Learned:

There were many different things that I learned in addition to
taking this course. One I specifically mentioned before was how to
incorporate technology in the classroom. With the rise of new
devices, more and more software is being created primarily for
students and teachers as well as thousands of educational apps.
By doing our end of the semester presentation I learned more
about the use of iPads in schools and classrooms and how
students enjoy hands on activities for fun learning. By having my
class play around with these devices we picked, we enjoyed the
hands on presentation. With this being said, not only do younger
students prefer hands on activities, but also some adults might
benefit from this as well.

How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the

InTASC Standard:

I believe that making a Trello board on our assignments and

activities we had to help me in organizing ways technology can be
brought into school through not only computers but board games
as well. Schools all around the United States use STEAM in
everyday lessons. Now that I know what STEM stands for
(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) I can help teach my
students why science, engineering, art, and math can be put into
technology as one.