Final Reflection

Well the end of EDU-533 is upon us... This week we've completed our WebQuests!, and stop for final reflection on our course outcomes and objectives.

Objective #7

Turn theory into practice by completing 5 hours of related field experience.

This objective was met through, an interview with someone who actively integrated technology into the classroom. My Interview was with Jeff Utecht. I posted my interview questions and responses in last week's blog and I almost feel as though that was a final reflection in and of itself. Jeff touched on so many things that we had covered in the course, I'm still kind of shaking my head.... Did I ask great questions? Did he just have AWESOME answers? I think it was the latter....

Objective # 2 

Learn ways to promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding

This learning outcome was met through a few web2.0 tools that we used in the final weeks. One was digital storytelling, we used a web tool called Animoto to complete a lesson plan that made us think about the task at hand and then "show what we know" by telling a digital story through multiple mediums. Through visual images, audio or musical sounds, and text/words to go along with the pictures. We have also been blogging for the entire 10 weeks, which is probably the best way we can promote student reflection. It also has a small collaborative element too, when students are commenting on each others posts.

Objective #4 

Illustrate through application how state and national standards are implemented within the curriculum.

The last three projects we worked on all had state and national curriculum requirements. The Digital Story, The I Am Poem, and our Webquests, all had requirements of posting at least two standards that were met by CCSS and ITSE NETS. Science Webquests also used GLE's if applicable. We also explore web tools like Rubistar and others that help teachers apply standards in an even and reproducible way, so that fairness for all students was evident.

Objective #5

Demonstrate an understanding of the use of assistive and adaptive technologies and other digital resources to personalize and differentiate learning activities for every student.

Last class we had a little round table discussion on a few of the assistive technologies that some fellow classmates had experienced in their schools. One example was the teachers who had audio amplification in their classrooms. Another was software that teachers could upload onto the computers that help students with the definitions of hard vocabulary words, simply by clicking on the word the definition comes up. Another program was one that helps students who have trouble reading, by reading aloud text that is highlighted and clicked. Both of these last examples were free programs through google.

It is imperative that we start using technology in schools to help our students achieve more. Technology makes things easier....... We use it in every other facet of life, (maybe not if you're Amish) we shouldn't let our education system be any different. It needs to be in school from K-12.

"What is it we hope to accomplish and what’s stopping us?"

After taking this class and listening to classmates, I was kind of surprised by the vast differences in schools. Some having one to one, others having maybe only one computer room....(what is that? 1 to 50?) We can not let school or city budgets keep us from exposing kids to technology. We as teachers must find ways to get our kids involved with technology until our schools or cities catch up to the times. Most of our students have internet access at homes, we can make choices that allow them to use that technology if there is none available in our classrooms. Make the typical book report and Podcast with Audioboo. Create a google doc, where students can collaborate on a team project over the weekend. We need to find ways, complaining that your school doesn't support you does not help the students. Yes we need to voice our opinions but in the mean time we need to also support the students.

Through our textbook, but also along with class I have slowly started to build my Personal Learning Network. I have slowly introduced a handful of bloggers that I follow to keep abreast of the latest and greatest tech for teachers. I've created my own diigo account, how ever small it is, I can still give back to my digital community a little if they find my diigo pages interesting. I also have a few created a few personal community connects from my childrens' teachers at the local elementary school. The most important thing though is that I've taken the first step. I've learned that creating you PLN is not easy, it takes a long time, and hard work. You have to put in a great deal of energy if you wish to take out a great deal.