Reflection

This course has helped me to develop my technology skills as a professional teacher by introducing various technologies that I may use in my classroom. I have been presented with ideas and encouraged to explore ways to integrate technology effectively into my classroom. I am now confident that with planning and practice I can implement the use of blogs, wikis, and podcasts. Until this class, I had never blogged, created a wiki, or podcast and now I am familiar with how to use these to engage my students in learning.

I have deepened my knowledge of the teaching and learning process by gaining a better understanding of the "digital natives" in my classroom today. These students do learn differently that I did when I was in school. Teachers today have to work hard to engage students in their learning environment. I believe that integrating technology will help to engage these students and encourage them to want to learn. My students want "hands-on" activities and projects. Using blogs, wikis, and podcasts will encourage the students to use technology respectfully and to work together to build skills for the 21st century workplace. I know that I need to pick up the pace as a teacher and integrate technology whenever possible. I am inspired to write grants in hopes to bring more technology into my classroom because this will make the difference in the education of my students.

Through this course I have learned that there needs to be a shift in learning from teacher-centered to learner-centered. Learner-centered education is much more powerful as the students are actively engaged in their learning. Student are encouraged to actively construct their own knowledge. Students work collaboratively and focus on real life problems. Teachers become facilators and learn along with the students. It is important for students to learn from their errors. I believe learner-centered education empowers students to take charge of their own learning. It provides the opportunity for students to be excited about what they are learning as they explore and search for information.

I plan to continue to expand my knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology by becoming a member of the school's technology committee. They meet a couple of times per month to discuss valuable resources and how they may be implemented into the classroom. They also prepare training opportunities for other teachers in the school. I plan to attend the national technology conference in Washington D.C. this summer with a group of teachers from school. I will also continue to attend professional development opportunities when available. On my own time, I will continue to practice and search for ways to integrate the use of technology in my own classroom. As I become more confident in the use of technology in my classroom, I believe my students will also gain this confidence.

One goal is to have at least one blogging site unblocked for school use. I have already presented a proposal letter to the school's technology support person. He has stated that I am not the only teacher interested in using blogs and that he looks for something to happen in the near future. I wish to implement blogging as a regular part of my classroom curriculum where students use it on a weekly basis. Another goal I have is to integrate the use of technology on a daily basis whether it is using the Mimio Board, computers, or student response systems, I want students interacting with technology each day. I also wish to encourage my students to use the free learning resources available to students online. In order to do so, I need to update my personal website and actively promote this to the students. There are interactive learning sites that are available to students through which valuable learning can take place.

I believe that this course has opened my eyes to how today's students wish to learn, and had taken me many steps closer to meeting their needs. I hope to continue my journey in learning about technology in hopes to engage my students and motivate them to want to learn.