Reflection on Course EDUC-6710I-12 Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society

After blogging for sometime, I find myself wanting more and more to use in the classroom. Not only blogging, but the usage of wikis and podcast will aid in my class setting. The experience that I had in this taking this course had really provided me with more tools in incorporating technology into the classroom. After collaborating with my peers on the wiki, I experienced the great joy of what I can use in future projects. I am currently working on a wiki for the entire math department to use to help students be successful. Right now I am using multiple blogs for my each of my subjects and taks tutoring. This helps me keep a trail of all my students and their train of thought. I believe that podcasting will be my next project. It would be nice to be able to call gcast and podcast a lesson so students can refer back to a lesson. Not only for students, but I would be able to listen to myself and reflect on how much better would I be if I would have done something different? I would have a record of myself and lessons. This would be great to have if I am teaching the same subject again because I would know what I need to address and where problems may lie.

Going back to the collaborative project using a wiki, I feel that students would be able to benefit from this as well. A project where students just keep track of notes and links so when a team member is absent, that student has access. There are so many types of software that students would be able to use in the classroom where they can discover what they are to learn. It is the matter of having adequate computers with internet access or lab time for the students. When students are discovering what they are learning, it tends to be stored better and also, the classroom will become learner-centered. I would be the facilitator rather then the teacher. When students are discovering learning, they are visualizing, listening, reading, and manipulating. By students using all the learning styles, the chances, of them succeeding, increases greatly. They would have a greater probability of success. Technology is truly an ultimate goal since it uses all the learning styles to teach students. My perspective in learner-centered has not changed a bit. That is one of my ultimate goals as a teacher.

The first goal I would like to do is to have every one of my students to have access to a classroom blog. I would like to start posting notes and assignments on there for students have their notes at their fingertips anywhere they go that has internet access. Once I have mastered that, I would like to have students blogging and using wikis to help tutor each other on assignments. Even though there will be many obstacles, I feel that I should take my plans to the IT department to collaborate with them to see what we can do, as a team, to get our students prepared for their future. After collaborating with the IT team, I should also be prepared to have a back up plan in case of power outage or internet failure. Included in the obstacles, I also need to consider my students’ home technology access. Maybe have students come to school early or have then stay late if they need more time to post their blog. Perhaps they would be able to see the topic on paper and write their response so when they come to school; they would know what they will be posting. This would save time in the long run and any anxiety a student may have.

My answer have changed on the Checklist from Week one since I have taken this course. I feel more equipped with technology experience and ideas. Coming up with my own ideas was a good exercise for me, however I loved reading my colleagues’ ideas too. If it was not for them posting their wonderful ideas, I would not consider myself equipped with great ideas. Now I will be able to synthesis their ideas with mine. Designing lesson using technology has now been moved to sometimes; however I am not proficient in it yet. The modeling is has improved because I made time to play with the tools in the classroom. Having access to the internet opens up so many possibilities; that includes using cameras to capture pictures, ipods for podcasts and so forth.

To be honest, I have learned so much by just exploring and working on these wonderful assignments that pushed me, not only to learn, but figure out how to use these tools in the class. I true enjoyed this class. To my collegues and Professor Trask, thank you so much for a wonderful experience.