Cheryl+Farley+Self+Assessment+Plan

EdTech Locator Assignment for Cheryl Farley

*This survey was different for me to fill out since I am not a full-time teacher and instead work as a Paraprofessional. Upon completion of the program, my intent is to work as an AT Consultant with schools and families. So when completing this survey, I went from the perspective of someone entering this field as a Consultant while pulling in my experience as a Paraprofessional and parent of a child with Special Needs. Areas that I will be targeting Priority 1: Communicate with Parents and Guardians


 * Based on my current experience, communication from home to school is done in low-tech ways. Communication with the Special Education Teacher is done through a notebook that is sent back and forth to school in the student's backpack. To communicate with the General Education Teacher, handwritten notes are sent back and forth in the student's backpack. E-mail is sporadically used, depending on the teacher's comfort level. Also depending on the teacher, paper newsletters may or may not be sent home. Each teacher is very different in their communication methods, but technology is rarely utilized.
 * My goal for this task is to find innovative, creative ways to communicate general and new information to parents and schools. Some examples are: setting up a website, having a blog, and creating podcasts demonstrating new technology and helpful hints. These are just a couple of areas that I would love to begin exploring.

·   Priority 2: Advance Professional Knowledge
 * I have participated in Professional Development and training sessions for all of the low and high tech devices that my son is currently using. I believe that professional development is extremely important to further ones understanding of the assistive technology that is available and to also learn from your fellow participants.
 * My goal for this task is to set up a more consistent information-gathering schedule throughout the year. I will also explore ways to share the information that I gain with the teachers and paraprofessionals that I work with and other professionals in the field of AT.