EDLD+WEEK+5+Course+Reflection

Week 5 - Course Reflections​ From this course I wanted to gain vision and direction for integrating technology in my classroom immediately. Because of all that we have done, I have experienced what I see my students need and want to experience in the classroom - hands-on, collaborative problem solving. The outcome has far exceeded what I thought I would gain. I was looking simply for a spring board and some tools to have to jump into integrated technology - NOW. I got so much more than that - a deeper, needs-based understanding of the NECESSITY of using technology to engage and prepare these students for the future jobs to come. This by far is the heart of the Master’s in Educational Technology Leadership. Thanks to the Universal Design for Learning, I now have direction for integrating technology not just for technology’s sake, but for the sake of the diverse learners in every classroom. Recognition, expression, and engagement have a renewed purpose, meaning, and direction for me as a teacher.

The vision, direction, and technology tools I have acquired are relevant to the work I do in my school because I am entrusted with teaching students. With that accountability and responsibility, it means that as a teacher I am to be progressive and proactive in all that I do to ensure students are engaged, learning, creating, expressing through the subject I teach.

The only outcome I did not achieve was experimenting with more of the Web 2.0 tools than those that we used. Time constraints prevented me from this. The course itself was engaging, inspiring, and so enlightening.

Yes, I was successful in completing the course assignments. Week 3 took me a long time to work through, but it was foundational to the rest of the course.

I have learned that I CAN work collaboratively online, long distance, with a team and be successful in completing a project. Traditional working alone does not work well in our world today because there is so much information, it is easier to manage a project by each member doing a part and all brainstorming ideas. My attitude about collaboration has changed AND I have gained much insight into cooperative (collaborative) learning in the classroom. My technology skills are lacking in that I need to take the time to sit at the computer to practice exploring the tools I want to use. I also see that I do not have to master these tools before introducing them to my classes - we can learn together AND they can teach ME! I can work collaboratively WITH my classes. I see myself more as a facilitator/coach - still the teacher, but also a fellow learner and guide. My leadership skills are better and I am more enthusiastic because of this course. Also, I have gained the confidence and insight to be bold with my fellow teachers and administration in sharing what I have learned about the need to integrate technology into the curriculum.