Reflections

What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned?

Upon beginning this course, I began to become very apprehensive about the course content. I’m not the most technology savvy person; however I am fully aware about the advantages technology presents within the education of students. My main concern was being able to comprehend the core content while demonstrating my knowledge of the connection of technology within education. I must say that I knew more than I thought, but taking this course helped to expose the terminology, theories, and progressive movement of technology. I truly had a joy in what I was learning and I was able to make a connection with the application of technology within my own classroom and I was further able to apply what I had learned with my own students. As a result, I have obtained not only knowledge about technology, but practical skills that have laid the foundation towards my future in establishing technology infused instructional techniques and practices.

To the extent that you achieved the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not?

The knowledge and skills that I have acquired as a result of this course are still relevant in the work I am currently doing in my home school. Recently, I took the opportunity to show my third grade students my blog page. They were very excited and wanted to create their own. I even showed them how to create a PowerPoint, and many of the students have started creating PowerPoint during their station time. I was shocked to see how fast they picked up the directions. It was so amazing to see them turn their interest of technology into learning. Even though they are only eight to nine years old, they are able to take the technology and apply it to their own learning level. So the content that I have gained in this course is very relevant because I have applied it to my own instructional practices within my classroom environment.

What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?

My most challenging concept of this class was full acceptance of a technology integrated classroom. I agree that technology should be incorporated within the classroom at the application level, but I also believe that students should still continue to learn in a traditional way. I think that technology should be a component of learning, but it seemed as though many theorist believed that classrooms should be driven by technology. In this I disagree. I know that students can not continue to learn the way I did 10 years ago, but as an educator, I do believe that their should be a balance between the old style of teaching and a technology driven classroom. Many skills that students need to master must first come from a traditional way of learning, but technology can lead to the exploration of connecting ideas. I believe that students must gain an education foundation that would foster a desire to apply and extend what they have learned. For me technology like the internet is too much of an ambiguous realm. If explored by an individual lacking a sound foundation of core skills, they will forever be wrapped into the many conflicting and confusing views in cyber space.

Were you successful in carrying out the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?

The course assignments were very difficult to complete. I was successful in that I was able to finish them, but I felt that many of the assignment task guidelines were a little vague. I also was not experienced with many of the assignment task and it took me a while to explore, which took more time to complete the assignments. However, I believe that I was able to be successful because of my willingness to learn and try new techniques. I learned that I was capable of accomplishing a lot once I made up my mind to do it. I also used my knowledge of classroom teaching and the practical aspects of incorporating technology to help guide me along the way. Also the video lectures helped to explain many of the new concepts I was learning so that I could apply them within my course assignment requirements. Overall, I stayed the course and gave it my best and I was able to get through the tough moments.

What did you learn from this course…about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes?

-What I learned about this course:

I learned that technology is an important component of a student’s ability to learn, retain, extend, and demonstrate what they know. Many students enjoy technology and are able to use the technology to help them learn in a more meaningful way. I also learned that as an educator, it is my duty to make sure that my students are able to use technology as a form of communication with their peers and that they develop the necessary skills to use technology in an appropriate and accurate manner.

-What I learned myself:

I learned that I was able to share my technology skills with my students to help them express their learning in a meaningful way. I also gained the necessary confidence to apply what I have learned with my students and I am able to generate ideas about the incorporation of technology within my own instructional practices.

-What I learned technology skills:

Technology skills are not difficult to obtain, but one must have a desire to obtain the skills necessary to master the optimal use of technology. Many sites have created tutorials and support groups to help others to become technology advanced. I come to understand that the skills you build in technology will help you to effectively communicate with and inspire so many more than you ever could with just words. Technology has the ability to transcend through time and inspire thought invoking ideas within all who come into contact with it.

-What I learned leadership skills:

As a future leader, technology must be apart of the skills I use to help build others. I must not only establish a working relationship with technology, but I must also inspire others to use technology so that we all may advance in the education new offer to the students we have the ability to reach and educate.

What is the educational value of blogs and blogging to the 21^st century learner? What are the concerns of blogs and blogging in education?

The educational value of blogs and blogging is that it helps those who want to convey and idea to reach many, and those who seek knowledge to learn and develop their own ideas. Blogging allows for a level of communication that has never existed before in that an audience is formed by like minded individuals who want to share and communicate with one another. As well, the art of communicating is explored and perfected.

Blogs and blogging in education is that it can be hard to manage in education. Many educators don’t have experience with blogs and are unable to accurately determine if students are using the technology in an ethical manner. What must be established are a set of ethical standards so that students are able to learn and display their knowledge in a meaningful way. Educators have the responsibility to make sure that with any technology tool, that students understand the importance of using it in a meaningful manner that would enhance their learning. As well, students must also understand the value of communication to inspire them in being able to develop their ideas and to connect the knowledge they already posses with their fellow peers.

How can you use blogging to communicate with school stakeholders?

In communicating with school stakeholders, their first must be a relationship that is established in the best interest of the students. However, many people of the community are not involved in the school’s decision making due to not being able to show up for meetings or commit to being physically involved on a continuous basis.

Blogging allows for communication to transcend across a physical setting. The school is able to post their ideas and or projects, and school stakeholders can respond in an efficient manner based upon following the blog. Also, stakeholders are made to feel valued and apart of the school culture because they are able to communicate and allow their voice to be heard within school procedures and policies. Therefore blogging allows for a successful communication link between the school and all those who are willing to help to make sure that the students are receiving all that they need to learn and accomplish academically.