Artifact 1

Strategy Toolbox

Artifact 2

Reading Comprehension Instruction and Strategies: Reflection on Researched Theories and Current Practices Implemented

 Artifact 3

Dictionary of Relevant Terms-Educational Assessment

Goal 1 represents current practices, research, theories, and issues in education. As a teacher we must always be dedicated to current issues in education just as this goal says. There are always the researched methods of teaching and the theories that we have used and reused and worked with until we found the best possible methods of teaching a certain concept or idea. We then strive to use the most effective methods of teaching that we can possibly find to teach this concept or idea. There are always new trends and ideas introduced into the education field, but I feel that some trends are okay. We must use research to understand these trends and find what works best for us and other teachers so that we are educated in the latest ideas out there in education. I have learned different theories and researched ideas that I have worked with since my undergraduate school days as I was just starting to become a teacher. But these ideas aren't always enough. Any educated teacher strives to constantly learn new ideas and current practices and issues so that they can become an even better teacher.  As a dedicated teacher, I always feel that there is something more or new that I need to be learning to make me the most effective teacher possible. I want to be on the cutting edge of finding and dealing with issues that will not only make me a better teacher but help me to strive to teach my students in ways that will continually make their learning meaningful to them. I feel it's my duty to understand the current issues in education and to always be aware of new practices so that I am working on finding even better ways to teach my students and study new research methods and theories that will make my preexisting ones even better. The day that I feel totally prepared for teaching and feel that I have nothing left to learn is the day that I need to stop being a teacher. A good teacher realizes that they must always learn more to better educate themselves and to help students achieve at the highest possible levels.

Artifact 1 is my toolbox that I created which has old and new methods of trends and strategies in teaching reading that I have found are very effective in my teaching practices. Many of  these theories of reading are my best practices along with current practices, and new methods that have been researched to be effective methods to enhance reading strategies for my students. I have implemented many of these practices and even created many of my own strategies that have worked for me over the years. Some of the new trends or ideas have given me new concepts to work with and new ways to teach different types of strategies so my students will be better readers. I have attained this goal above by the new theories that I have learned through my textbook and other teachers along with my current practices to best teach my students how to be better readers.

Artifact 2 is a reflection paper about reading comprehension instruction and strategies. This reflection on theories and current practices that I used help me to realize what I am doing well with my students and what areas I need to work on to help my students construct more meaning in what they are reading. I worked hard on my new reading strategies that I learned and I have reflected on them so I can help students understand the relevance in what they are reading and what they can gain from the reading to help shape their own understanding of life. I also work hard to help students use their prior knowledge in connection with what they are reading. I have researched many areas that have helped me better understand reading theories of application and have learned changes that I need to implement with my current practices to make me a better teacher.

Artifact 3 is a dictionary of relevant terms that I created to help me better understand the different concepts and theories being taught in educational assessment. Many of these terms are used in educational research, practices, theories and are used when discussing current issues. I feel to better understand current issues, theories, and research relevant to education today and in the past, I need to have a deep understanding of the terminology so that when I read about certain educational terms I will understand what the author is talking about. I will also, as an advanced educator, be able to discuss some of these terms in educational discussions or read them in journals and have a clear understanding of what the articles or discussions are about. Please be aware that this artifact will take about one minute to open.