EDUC 630: Technology Proficiency Assignment

Technology Proficiency Assignment: Concept Map on Educational Technology

Dona Thanushi Hettipathirana

EDUC 630: EDUC 630 – Technology Practices for Instructional improvement

Liberty University

Dr. Amanda Roberts

EDUC 630: Technology Proficiency Assignment

TECHNOLOGY PROFICIENCY ASSIGNMENT

The Artifact: A Concept Map on Educational Technology

Technology Proficiency Assignment Artifact Link:

https://donathanushi.weebly.com/technology-proficiency-assignment.html

The Artifact – a concept map on Education Technology, is specifically focused on illustrating the

conceptual knowledge in Educational Technology that I have gained throughout the course of learning

as a graduate student in Master of Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction: Education

Technology and Online Instruction at Liberty University.

Technology: INSPIRATION® Software

The technology used for this demonstration of technology proficiency is Inspiration® Software – “a

leader in visual thinking and learning” (Inspiration Software, 2018). Inspiration® Software provides

various software tools for visual learning, such as graphic organizers, concept mapping, mind mapping,

Webbing, outlining, and creation of plots and graphs (Inspiration® Software, 2018). This technology tools

provides user-friendly tools for visual illustration of knowledge, information, and data which can be used

by both educators and learners alike. The technology is compatible with both PC and Mac platforms.

Inspiration ® Software help promote increased academic performance for students of all learning

abilities and is recommended for students with ADHD, autism, Asperger's, dyslexia, aphasia, and visual

or auditory processing disorders (Inspiration® Software, 2018).

Skill: Concept Mapping

The classroom skill demonstrated through this artifact on Education technology is the teaching and

learning technique of Concept Mapping. Concept maps are “a hierarchical structure diagram used for

illustrating conceptual knowledge” on any given subject, including business, information technology,

software engineering, engineering, science, education, and educational technology (Shrock, 2011).
EDUC 630: Technology Proficiency Assignment

Usage: Visual Illustration of Conceptual Knowledge

Usage of concept mapping in Classrooms (Schrock, 2011; inspiration® Software, 2018):

• As a multi-modal learning tool for visual Organization of information,

• Creation of personalized study maps,

• Collaborative learning tool for team knowledge mapping,

• To gain real world experience through utilizing a real-world business tool,

• To understand the theories and concepts related to the topic,

• To manage concepts into sub concepts for each group and category,

• To understand the relationship of each concept, how they are related to each other,

• To synthesize information, ideas and concepts, and see the whole picture,

• To develop critical thinking and higher-level thinking skills and strategies,

• To develop analytic and deep learning skills,

• To provide educator feedback on learner misconceptions and the development of

learner understanding over time,

• To explore novel information and relationships,

• To encourage creativity through brainstorming and accessing prior knowledge,

• To foster skills of clear communication of ideas and information, and

• To encourage knowledge and information gathering and sharing.

References

Inspiration® Software. (2018). Retrieved from http://www.inspiration.com/

Shrock, K. (2011). Concept mapping in the classroom: definition of a concept map. Retrieved from

http://www.schrockguide.net/concept-mapping.html