Teaching+with+Technology+Course+Reflection

Couse Reflection 1. What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned?  Before the course began, we were told what books we needed. I ordered my books with great excitement and anticipation to read them and begin the course. I stopped myself from reading the books until the actual course started. In the first week, we were asked to form groups and create means of communication so that we could begin to brainstorm. At this point in the course, I realized that this was going to be a challenge. I first envisioned for this course to be about teaching with technology in the classroom for me. I thought I was going to complete the assignments individually. When I found out the entire course was going to be worked on in a group I knew that I was going to have to put in a lot more effort especially for the means of online communication. I found that giving us a scenario with quite a variety of students with varying learning abilities was quite useful for our teaching with technology career. With the challenge of working five weeks on a given scenario, each building our own lesson plans, online books, and combining our UDLs, this course was a fine way of teaching us various methods of leadership. The course helped us to learn of various ways to communicate online such as LiveChat, Google Chat, Google Docs, Google Site, Wikis, etc. With the various means of communication, I was able to learn how different resources can be used to my advantage. Overall, I would say that the course exceeds my expectations, and much was learned so that I may better myself in the classroom along with leading others in the same activity.

2. 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?

What I have learned in this course, Teaching with Technology, I find very resourceful in my work. I work with a group of teachers that are in fear of using new technologies. Instead of embracing new ideas, they deviate to old fashion teaching methods. Students are now built for the 21st century. They are in need of engagement. The best engagement for students today is technology. This course has allowed me to use many online tools that will help teachers ease into the use of technology within the classroom. Teachers can easily provide themselves with professional development by accessing a UDL written, searching TeacherTube, YouTube or for further tutorial if needed. The teachers can also create simple technology products such as Online Books and PhotoStory. These tools are user –friendly and allow the teachers to engage the students. With the collaborative work, readings, and videos, I was able to create many ideas that can be implemented within my school team. I can now build a UDL, share it with the other teachers, provide them with a Teacher Evaluation Rubric, and access how they are doing with teaching with technology in their classroom. Everything I have learned in this course is resourceful, and can be integrated everyday in the classroom to captivate and maintain student engagement for higher learning results.

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

An outcome that I did not achieve for this course was not required of the course. In my group, a project a member presented the use of a program titled Snag It. This program allows for an individual to video their computer screen while recording the sound on the computer and voice of the presenter. I find this program very resourceful. I know, this program is one that I can use for the teachers at my school. Many teachers do not know what online resources are free and available to them. I could use this program to video many of the resources that I have come to find in this course through, videos, readings, and group collaboration to inform them of their uses and capabilities. This would allow the teachers to watch the video while access the online sites. They can do this at their own pace as they pause and play the video. The only thing that has prevented me from achieving this outcome is the time constraint to get in my assignments. Other than that, once this course is done I can begin to use the program. I have found nothing else in the course to be of something not achieved.

4. Were you successful in completing the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?

This course has taught me various methods for teaching with technology in the classroom. In week three, the course assignments were very difficult to complete, as it seemed we had much to submit. It was a great feeling of accomplishment once submitted completed. I find that only having one week to do a large portion of work is quite difficult, but it makes it that much better for getting work done. Working in a group, was sometimes difficult in the fact that some work slower leaving me in fear of the assignment not being turned in on time. Through the course of the five weeks, my group pulled together and was able to submit all assignments in within the grace period. On a side note, there was a time in which I was exhausted this past week with my three young boys. As I am on maternity leave, I am still bombarded with work from school. I was at a point of exhaustion where I did not feel like doing the readings, videos, and wiki update. I am on a straight A streak for my masters so I was not going to allow myself not to complete an assignment. Overall, I was able to complete all assignments by the deadline. I would say that this class has been my most time-consuming class but well worth it.

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

From this course, I have learned various methods of technology use within the classroom. The various methods include but are not limited to the following: online books, UDLs, wikis, blogs, Google Docs, Google Site, YouTube, TeacherTube, SnagIt, and various online sites. I was in fear of changing and editing the group’s page, but I found that if I do not take the risk now, I would never be able to lead others. This class has allowed me to learn how to create, communicate, and advise technology uses. In my recent visit to the school to pick up a laptop given to me, I became intrigued with our technology ideas for the school. I am now definitely going to take a larger role at leading my team and taking part in discussing technology use with school techs. I also plan to speak to students more about what online sources and computer programs they often use at home. Getting involved will allow me to learn more about technology so that I do not become outdated and I stay updated. I am excited to start the new year with online resources and tools to implement in the classroom and teach others.