Laila Taylor

ITEC Portfolio Artifact Reflection

Standard 3.5 Basic Troubleshooting

Candidates troubleshoot basic software and hardware problems common in digital
learning environments.
1. Briefly describe the artifact and the context in which it was created. What was/were
your individual contribution(s)?
The one hour technology workshop artifact that I completed in ITEC 7460 was
completed to help teachers at my school be able to troubleshoot the TKES website when
uploading documentation. The topic of this workshop was given to me from my
principal. Our school system has recently required all schools in our system to complete
formative evaluations, in the same format across all schools. Some schools required
teachers to upload documentation or comments for all standards addressed under TKES.
However, many schools including mine, have never asked or encouraged teachers to
include evidence into the TKES platform. Therefore, when the teachers at my school
found out that they were going to have to provide evidence that they were meeting the
TKES standards, resistance arose. My principal used me as the test subject where she
completed a formative evaluation on me and then told me to upload evidence under the
differentiation, assessment uses and assessment strategies standards. I had to teach
myself how to use the system and then create a presentation to present during
Professional Learning for all certified teachers. I created a google slides presentation and
created handouts that went with the presentation. I worked with the principal and
academic coach to make sure that I was including all of the correct information that she
wanted teachers to be trained on. I presented four times (6th grade teachers, 7th grade
teachers, 8th grade teachers, and connections teachers and the Assistant Superintendent).

2. Explain how this artifact demonstrates mastery of the standard/element under which it
is placed.
This artifact demonstrates mastery of this standard because of the training that I was able
to provide for teachers to help them use the TKES software to upload documentation for
summative assessments. The four professional learning sessions are divided into 6th
grade academic teachers (13 teachers), 7th grade academic teachers (10 teachers), 8th

Laila Taylor

ITEC Portfolio Artifact Reflection

grade academic teachers (13 teachers), and connections teachers (15 teachers). I
presented each of these trainings in each grade level computer lab as well as the computer
science class for the connections teachers. The teachers were able to use the computers
to have access to the presentation as well as look at the projector and follow along. The
computers use the county internet server, which allowed for the teachers to use the
hyperlink and connect to their own TKES platform documents. In order to be prepared
and trouble shoot, I created three visual handouts that had screen shot images for each of
the processes described in the presentation.

3. What did you learn from completing this artifact? What would you do differently to
improve the quality of the artifact or the process involved in creating the artifact?
The presentation went great for all grade levels and I received good feedback from
several teachers. Completing this presentation has opened my eyes tremendously into
looking at the why administrators do the things they do. It was very interesting to be
on that side of the presentation. When creating the presentation I really had to look at
what are questions teachers might have or what might not be clear. I tried to screen shot
the entire process and incorporate as much of that into the presentation. As well, as step
by step directions I also had teachers log into their own TKES platform so they could
follow along as we went through it. I also provided examples of data that could be
uploaded and a tutorial for gathering data using our copier in the teacher workrooms.
The one area that I did not feel prepared for was when I met with the connections
teachers (PE, band, Chorus, art, technology, and business). The types of documentation
that I gave as examples were very specific for academic subjects and if I did this again I
would of added examples for the Connections teachers.

4. How did the work that went into creating the artifact impact school improvement,
faculty development, or student learning? How can the impact be assessed?
Based on the results from the survey all of the teachers were receptive and liked the way
the information was presented. I had several teachers express their thanks for showing
them how to do this and making it feel not quite so daunting. I really think that all of the

Laila Taylor

ITEC Portfolio Artifact Reflection

different modes in which I presented the information is what made the PL a success.
Before the training most teachers had expressed their resistance to provding evidence,
simply because it was not required before nor were they trained on it. After the training I
feel like teachers felt prepared and knowledgeable about the content. I had several
teachers say that they did not realize it was so easy and would not have complained had
they been properly trained prior.