2. What is Capstone?
“This year–long professional development program is
designed for teachers who have experience integrating
computer–based technologies into their K–12 classroom
practice and want to earn certification in the ISTE 2008
National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers
(NETS*T) while further developing their knowledge and
skills. “ ~PBS Teacherline
3. What are the National Educational
Technology Standards for Teachers
(NETS*T)?
Standard 1: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and
Creativity
Standard 2: Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning
Experiences and Assessments
Standard 3: Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
Standard 4: Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and
Responsibility
Standard 5: Engage in Professional Growth and
Leadership
4. Me: Pre-Capstone
I thought that I had a grasp of technology integration
and was meeting the needs of my students for 21st
Century skills, creativity and problem solving.
Wow! Was I wrong! I was only
grazing the surface of technology
integration in a true and relevant
fashion!
5. Capstone I - Overview
Habitat Research Project – 3rd Grade
Students selected a habitat that was
of interest to them to research.
They then choose an animal which
would live in that habitat to
research.
Research took place via online
sources.
Students then wrote a script and
created a “blabber” of the animal
and spoke from the animals point-
of-view of living in the habitat.
7. What did my students think?
Wow! This is fun! ~Eric
Can we do more research like this? ~Janiya
This is the best thing we’ve done all year! ~Noah
I loved seeing everyone else’s Blabbers! ~Kha’Aliyah
It was with statements like these, that I realized
the power of relevant technology integration.
Creating PBL assignments which integrate
technology engages my students in a meaningful
way which has my students asking for more!
Capstone I was my springboard to developing
future projects to excite my students while
learning.
8. Capstone II - Overview
Economics Wrap Up – 3rd Grade
This project was a final review of our study
of economics.
Students created a city map and then
discussed the goods and services within
their city.
Students chose a letter of the alphabet to
help create an ABC Book of Economic
Terms. Students created pictures on Kid
Pix and then provided an explanation of
their picture through a Voice Thread.
10. Completed Voice Thread
This was my first attempt at a Voice Thread. I’m not
sure it is something I would have attempted had it not
been for my engagement within the Capstone courses.
This is an ABC Book of economic terms. Students drew
the pictures, wrote a script and created a recording.
Click the
“Play” button
to view the
Voice Thread.
11. What did my students think?
This was so much fun! Can we make another Voice Thread?
~Nicole
Making the map was cool because we all had something
different. ~Andrew
I like how we all had a chance to record our script and
make our own picture on the Voice Thread. ~Israel
I love economics! I was never bored! ~Owen
Once again, these student
statements are very powerful to
me. Never before had I heard
a student admit to enjoying
economics! The technology
was integrated in a relevant
and meaningful way. No
student scored below a “B” on
the unit test either!
12. What else am I taking away from
my Capstone courses?
Professional Learning Communities!
Before
Now: I know
Capstone:
that there is
I was
unlimited
working
access to like
alone, and I
minded
was hard
educators
pressed to
through my
find like-
professional
minded
learning
educators in
communities.
my
building.
13. More Growth:
Creativity!
I now can clearly appreciate the fact that my curriculum does not
afford itself to the aspect of creativity. It is my job to find ways
to allow my students to express themselves in ways beyond
paper/pencil assignments.
Word Cloud
created for a
character study
on the book
Clementine.
14. Digital Tools and Resources!
Not only do various digital
tools and resources engage
my students, but it also
allows me to easily adapt
my lessons to different
learning styles. The
opportunities are plentiful!
15. Global Opportunities!
I have put my interest out in the ePals community in the
hopes of finding an Italian or Greek class that my
students could communicate with.
I have participated in a descriptive writing collaboration
with a school in Indiana.
I have found opportunities to collaborate with those
outside the U.S. through my professional learning
communities.
There is much to be learned outside
the scope of Virginia Beach. Capstone
has afforded me the opportunity to
research and investigate such
opportunities for myself as well as my
students.
16. Collaboration!
Working to research the topic of
red wolves.
Students: Students can collaborate to expand their learning.
Working together allows them to pull on the strengths of one
another.
Teachers: I have found that I can collaborate with like-minded
educators to create worthwhile learning opportunities for my
students – within my school and also in a virtual environment.
Taking part in a Video
Conference!
17. Me: Post Capstone
This has been an incredible journey! I
did not imagine all that I did not know.
By breaking down and exploring the
NETS*T standards, I have been able to
implement relevant, worthwhile, and
engaging technology opportunities for
my students. No longer am I merely
implementing technology for the sake of
saying I integrate technology. Now, I
have deep selected reasons behind the
use of the technology. Most
importantly, I can see the growth in
myself as an educator, and I can see the
growth and engagement in lessons on
the part of my students.
18. Finally, some quotes on the use of
technology by those who matter most –
my students:
19. Technology does a lot of things, such as keeping me from
getting bored, and that is the main thing I like about
technology. ~Owen
I like technology because you can play games and you can
search important stuff to help you with anything. I learned
that you have to treat the device really careful. ~Alex
I like technology because it helps me find facts about red
wolves. ~Angelica
I think technology fun because instead of writing, you can
type. ~Cody
I think technology is fun because you get to go online, get
info, and get to do fun games. ~Nicole
I think technology is fun. I like how there can be fun stuff
on it, and stuff you can learn about. ~Soleil
I like technology because we use the remotes. ~Lewis
Technology helps you learn about things. It helps to
entertain yourself. It helps you to connect. ~Andrew
~From the mouths of third grade students!
20. Thank you!
Thank you to my Capstone coaches/instructors as well as my
fellow Capstone learners. This has been a wonderful journey
where I have learned so much from every one of you!
It’s been a lot of work, but worth every amount of effort that we
all expended. As educators we cannot afford to become
complacent or stagnant. We are here for the children, and this
journey has provided us the tools to continue to enhance the
learning of our students in the best possible ways.
I hope that we all continue to learn and grow in the use of
technology for the best interests of our students.
Plan to be better today, but don’t ever plan to be finished. ~Carol Ann Tomlinson
