 |
| Photo Attribution: Original image: "6th Graders working on infoflyers" By langwitches Released under an Attribution, noncommerical, share alike http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/ |
For the past eight weeks, my mind has been consumed with educational technology. The course
objectives for CEP 811 (Adapting Innovative Technologies to Education) were
simple in wording, but quite complex in practice. The objectives consisted of
understanding ways in which interactive computer technology may be employed in
direct support of independent student learning and the roles that
Internet-based tools and resources may be effectively used in classrooms in
support of educational goals. I can say that this objective was mean; however,
a full understanding could not be achieved as the technologies are every
evolving. Some of the ways that I enjoyed having the chance to explore were
webquests, stand-alone instruction resources (StAIR), and web creation. As a
result of these technology explorations, I had a chance to try a webquest with
my students. Although the lesson was still mostly teacher directed (due to the
needs of my students and their limited abilities with utilizing a computer
independently), I felt that they experience of using the webquest was as good
for the students as myself. The students were able to see the entire lesson
organized upfront. Even though they may not be able to read to content, they
still were able to see the organization and the activities for the day. For me,
the organization also helped in pacing of the lesson and creating needed
adaptations. The StAIR project was truly an experience. Although it was quite
time consuming, I see so many applications for creating one to use within the
classroom as well as use online. One of my goals is to start creating lessons
available for parents to review with students online, such as name practice,
letter practice, or sight word ‘flashcards’. My StAIR project using PowerPoint
as well as the other examples from class, have given me several ideas in which
to make this happen. Lastly, the website creation project was a perfect
building block from the blog creation. This also gave me exposure and practice
with various website services which will help me when I begin to explore
creating my own ‘tech’ website over the next 6 months or so.
 |
| Photo Attribution: Original image: "21st Century Skills" By langwitches Released under an Attribution, noncommerical, share alike http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/ |
Choosing
and using technology within the classroom is often a tricky task, especially
when you are new to the curriculum, new to technology, or both! This course
help me develop a foundation for being able to assess a technology for value
and then assess whether the technology adds value to the curriculum. One of my
‘pet peeves’ is teachers saying they are using technology when they are (a)
using a new technology, but an old purpose; such as using a SMART Board only
for projection and saying you are using a SMART Board (b) using technology, but
the technology doesn’t match the lesson or add value to the lesson being
taught; hence, using technology to say you are using technology. Through the
TPACK exercises, webquest evaluation, and the classmate comments in MERLOT, I
feel that I have a better understanding of what technology integration should
look like as well as the pedagogy behind the appropriate integration.
The
section of this course that most interested me was the session on online
learning. Living in Ohio, the commercials seem to inundate me with information
about all the online schools available. My own school district has started a
Moodle site (yes, exploring this will be my “self assigned” homework over
winter break) in order to incorporate more online learning for students and
staff. I was intrigued by the information regarding Michigan’s online
requirements and I wonder how long until these are found in other states, such
as Ohio. Although I enjoyed this session, I think it may have left me with more
questions than answers.
Lastly,
this course allowed me to explore and experiment with technologies I was
familiar with, but did not know the full possibilities of using these
technologies to create amazing educational resources for students. My main
goals have not changed. I want to explore the various technologies and figure
out ways to use ‘mainsteam’ web 2.0 technologies with ALL students. I want to be able to make curriculum and instruction
more accessible though the use of these technologies and have the UDL framework
become more of a part of ‘best practice’. I want to continue to be a resource
for other educators for how technology integration can work in ALL classrooms and benefit ALL students.
As I
continue this technology journey, I will let this quote provide a framework:
"Technology is a tool that serves a set of educational goals, and if we don't think about what we want the technology for first, we end up with technology-driven solutions that have very little impact in the lives of children and in our educational system.“- Linda Roberts, Director of Education Technology, U.S. Department of Education
