Teaching+with+Technology+Course+Reflection

Week 5 Course Reflection

When I read the title for this class the first thing that came in mind was, “great we are going to learn how to teach with technology in the classroom”. I envision to learn new tools or new technology tends that will help me with technology. Yes I can honestly say that I have learned a great deal. It started with Cyborg. How technology is moving so fast. The time will come when we will have robots living and working next to us. This class I was able to participate in the teleconference. Finally I was able to put a face with a name. I like that fact that this class was able to save the teleconferences and later I was able to play back the teleconferences that I missed. Another think that I learned was about CAST’s UDL. This web side is an awesome tool for the teacher. I really learned a lot about how students learn and that we need to modify our lessons to our students needs. All my course outcomes were aligning with my envisioned. I work for central office in the technology department. I am a technology strategist and I teach teachers how to used technology in their classrooms. So yes it does have some relevant to my work in school. .This past two weeks, our special department was asking for help from us. They wanted to know what technology was there for special needs students. In this class we research for our visually and hearing impaired students and it was nice that I was knowledgeable on the topic. I also teach a group of teachers how to use the wiki and blogs for their classroom. How easy is to collaborate with web 2.0 tools, and how to use the blogs as a journal entry. I also put my teachers in groups where they have to collaborate and work together to come out with a project for their classroom. How we need the skills of 21st century. How we need to work on a higher order thinking skills and be able to solve problem solving. This class prepares me to be a better presenter and more knowledgeable on technology tools I really feel that I achieve all the outcomes from this course. I learned a great deal on CAST’s UDL and working collaborating with other people to complete a group project. Yes it was challenging due that everybody are so spread from each other but we still were able to achieve and create a nice team web page and an awesome unit plan. Thanks god for cell phones, e-mails and Google Docs, we were able to communicate with each other and work together as a team. The only thing that I can say that one of the outcomes that I had problems was with the video conference. Thanks god it was optional but I feel somehow frustrated when I could not connect with the group the first time. I did the second time but I was having problems with my micro phone.. I feel maybe with more practice and the right equipment; I will be successful on a video conference next time. I was successful in completing all the assignments for this course. I created a lesson using CAST’ UDL. I created an electronic book using Build a Book. This was fun to play with. I like the fact that Build a Book reads to book back to you. It sure will come handy for those students that need to hear the pronunciation of the word. I think that I really enjoy and learned a lot was to build the team home page. I really never thought that Google Docs had those services for us to use. The group project or the unit plan was some how difficult to do due that everybody had their own opinion on what way to go. Finally we came to a consensus and the group project came out nice, and it looks awesome. I was lucky that my group had the same vision and quality for our unit plan, we complement each other. Another thing, I feel I had problems was up loading the videos for the class. My problem is that I leave out in the country and the reception for my wireless is not that strong, I had to let it run while I was doing something else. Once it loads up the video, then I will play it. Other than that, everything was great. I learned a great deal about CAST’s UDL. I learned how students learn in three ways. I also learned the UDL lesson plan and how to include different styles of teaching and assessment. I created an electronic book using Building a Book. I really enjoy making electronic book. I learned how to used web 2.0 tools such as the wiki, blog, and Google Docs. I learned to let go and let other people help with the group project. I learned to trust other people ideas and vision on the group project. I learned that I am not that bad with technology, that I can learn new tools and used them in my teaching. I feel more confidence using web 2.0 tools. I feel that I can teach others how to use them. I feel stronger to share in my presentations about all the things I learned. As for my leadership skills, I feel that I can talk to my director and make some suggestions on programs and direction where our district should be going. Over all I feel my attitude towards technology is every positive.
 * 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? **
 * 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? **
 * 3. What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them? **
 * 4. Were you successful in completing the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you? **
 * 5. What did you learn from this course: about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes? **