Standard 5
Engaging in professional growth and leadership requires a few things that you will need to do in order to make sure that you are meeting this standard. First you must, participate in local and global learning communities, then you must exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, as well as evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis. The last thing you'll need to do would be to contribute to effectiveness,vitality and self-renewal of the teaching profession.
Participating in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications is a good thing to do through Twitter (Item 9). Twitter lets you connect to whoever you want and you even get to participate in discussions of your choosing. You never know who you will connect with on Twitter. You can connect with a variety of educators all over the world. With Twitter, you get to decide what discussion you want to participate in as well. Not only does twitter help you participate in local and global learning communities, it allows you to exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion.
Evaluating and reflecting on current research and professional practice on a regular basis can be done through creating an e-portfolio (Item 6). E-portfolios allow someone to explain and discuss what they have learned over the course of the semester, school year etc. I believe they are a better way of assessing knowledge than a basic test, because a student gets to explain and much or as little about a topic. They are not limited to a number and or letter like a test. I have never created an e-portfolio until now, and believe that it will not only benefit me as an educator, but as a person. I am going to try this assignment with my middle school students and see how they respond.
Contributing to effectiveness. vitality, and self renewal of the teaching profession are an example of an e-portfolio as well. With an e-portfolio or digital portfolio, you are able to write anything you want that is related to the topic. You are able to show and describe what you've learned versus filling in a bubble on a basic test. It is also another way to share your ideas and experiences with everyone else. Who knows, maybe someone might have good ideas they like to share and you've never heard of them before. An e-portfolio lets you get creative, be yourself, and show your knowledge through writing.