EDLD+5364+Teaching+with+Technology

Week 5 Final Reflection

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? As the computer lab teacher, I was looking forward to this class to learn how to help the teachers at my school integrate technology into their classrooms. I was hoping to find new ways to use technology applications for the teachers and students at my elementary school. I found the //Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works// a valuable resource for my computer lab. The book had researched based, practical activities to incorporate technology into the classroom. The videos and website for Universal Design Learning was very helpful for working with the group project scenario. I enjoyed working with my group to complete the final project and found the more I use my Blog, Wiki and Google docs the easier it gets. I plan to set up a Google site for my Technology committee and hopefully get them to realize the ease of working with Google. I believe we are on the verge of change in education. Technology will change the way we teach and aquire information.

2. To the extent that you achived the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not?

This graduate classin the Lamar program has had the most relevance to my current teaching career so far. This year I have been able to change how the computer lab is used by having the teachers come with their classes to the computer lab. Now teachers are able to work on application projects that they never had time for before. Some grade levels are very proficient with integrating technology but some teachers and grade levels need help with ideas. This course has given me a variety of websites and professional development sites for teachers to help them integrate technology. I am using the Just in Time Learning for teachers. I loved the book builder site and have shared it with several teachers on my campus. I am most proud of our group project on weather and will share that resource with our science lab teacher.

3. What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?

I think the biggest obstacle with this graduate program with Lamar is time. I love the fact that we are completing this program in 18 months but what I have found is that I would really like additional time to learn more about the topics discussed in class. I would love to invest more time exploring the Universal Design Learning and how other teachers integrate it in the classroom. The books, articles and videos all have important concepts that I feel we just touch on and do not study enough in depth. I love learning about schools that are using technology in innovative and creative ways and I would like to spend more time thinking of ways to incorporate their ideas and strategies at my school. Overall, I learn something new each week and I try to share as much as I learn with my collegues. I expect teachers to start using the new ideas I suggest and I am sometimes disappointed when that doesn’t happen. I am learning real change takes time. 

4. Were you successful in completing the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?  I was very successful in completing my assignments for this course. I have become more comfortable with chatting online, working with blogs, wikis and Google docs. Working with a group online without ever meeting or talking to people face to face can be difficult but my group was fantastic. For me, working in a group means I work hard because I do not want my part of the project to let the group down. I also know I work harder when I know other people will be viewing my work. Working in my group was nice too because if I had a question, I had several people I could ask. The hardest part of our group experience was finding a time busy teachers and moms could get together to talk about the assignment. We were able to chat and worked ahead to complete the final project early so everyone could complete the course early if they wanted.  5. What did you learn from this course: about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes?  This course has reinforced my belief that students and teachers can get excited and learn more by integrating technology. Most of what I have learned about technology, I have learned on my own. I am amazed to see what my students can do with technology. I feel the teachers at my school are holding students back because they do not have the technology skills to keep up with them. Many teachers look to me for guidance with technology. I tell them I don’t know it all but I am willing to learn. The teachers have decided we need a technology committee on our campus. I plan to suggest professional development for teachers and use the Google docs to demonstrate the ease of working with Google. I believe technology has inevitably changed how we teach and I plan to be on the cutting edge throughout my teaching career.

Week 5 Assignment 1 I was surprised to find I agreed with a lot of what James Paul Gee said in his video about Grading with Games. I grew up playing board games and enjoyed the competition and problem solving aspect of a game. Today’s video games are just more sophisticated. I agree that games can be part of the solution of a more authentic assessment for 21st century learning. Gee made some important points that games give feedback all the time, new language on demand and new language just in time. If the game has an educational objective students can learn new skills and vocabulary without even realizing it. I think convincing parents they are learning new skills and not just playing on the computer will be another hurdle for teachers to overcome. James Gee also presented social groups as passion communities. These groups mentored new people and are not age related. He states passion communities will hold participants to high standards. I know from working with my group these past few weeks, I worked harder because I did not want my part of the project to let the group down. I know I work harder when I know other people will be viewing my work. Working in my group was nice too because if I had a question, I had several people I could ask. Edutopia.org (nd) //Big Thinkers: James Paul Gee On Grading with Games//. Retrieved on Dec. 15, 2009 from []

Week 4 Assignment 1

This week focused on student centered learning with technology. The video segments showed examples of innovative teachers and Instructional leaders in educational technology. I was very impressed with Linda Darling-Harmond when she talked about social, emotional learning goes hand in hand with academic learning. She describes schools with smaller environments combined with lots of social interactions using authentic project based learning. I love the idea of teams of teachers working with the same group of student for two years. Teachers would really get to know the student and parents on a personal level along with targeting the academic needs of the child. All of the videos reinforced the benefits of cooperative learning using technology.

Chapter five in //Web2.0: New Tools, New Schools// by Soloman & Schrum (2007) reinforced the idea of quality professional development. My district has not addressed this issue for several years. Many of our teachers are not confident in computer skills and do not include technology in the classroom. Many student classroom computers are outdated but teachers are required to go to computer lab once a week. I have tried to help them integrate technology applications into lessons with some success. Our new administration is planning on creating a Technology committee to recommend professional development for our campus. The district needs to not only provide professional development but time to incorporate the new technology with communities of practice as described by Soloman and Schrum (2007). I believe on going professional development will improve student achievement and improve motivation for many of our students.

Soloman, G. & Schrum, L. (2007). //Web 2.0: New tools, new schools//. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education. p. 99-116.

Week 3 Assignment 1

I was very impressed this week with the video segments. They all demonstrated student centered learning by using technology. The videos of the high school student Luis and young Cameron really demonstrate the effective use of technology in the classroom. These students show how an effective teacher can set students on an exciting path of learning that is unlimited. The videos reinforced that technology is an essential tool for today’s students. Students today are not afraid of technology but are very comfortable with it and need it to be creative and motivated.

The Pitler text is a very useful resource for integrating technology into lessons. I really liked the examples of how very simple technology can be infused into different lessons to promote higher level thinking. The CAST website was also a very useful resource to meet the needs of diverse learners. Many teachers are comfortable teaching one certain way. The CAST website really exposes areas that need improvement in teaching. Teachers can find useful resources to improve teaching and meet the needs of diverse learners.

I loved creating the online book. I have shared my book with our school librarian and many of the teachers at my school. The book builder program was very easy to use and I am proud of the results. I found the search section very helpful and hope to use more of the books at my school. Many students need one-on-one help and the computer can meet that need with these online books. The “coaches” that ask questions and reinforce specific topics and the ability to read have the books read orally will be a great resource for many of our students.

This course has reinforced my belief that students and teachers can get excited and learn more with integrating technology. Most of what I have learned about technology, I have learned on my own. I am amazed to see what my students can do with technology. I feel the teachers at my school are holding students back because they do not have the technology skills to keep up with them. Many teachers look to me for guidance with technology. I tell them I don’t know it all but I am willing to learn. The teachers have decided we need a technology committee on our campus. I plan to suggest professional development for teachers and use the Google docs to demonstrate the ease of working with Google. I believe technology has inevitably changed how we teach and I plan to be on the cutting edge throughout my teaching career.

Week 2
==This week’s readings reflected the positive impact of technology on student achievement. The articles pointed out the in depth knowledge students gained from working with technology. Mike Page’s (2002) research showed low Socioeconomic students made significant gains by using technology.He shared studies that proved students who used computers had a rise in self-esteem. He reinforced what I believe that computers create a less threatening environment, with immediate feedback, individualized programs and helps students be more productive in the classroom. I work at a Title I school and I have seen first hand how technology has improved student achievement. Students are very excited to come to the computer lab to work on projects, webquests and skills based games. Many of our students only experience with computers is at school. I have been to the local library after school and seen many of our students waiting their turn on one of 8 computers. They wait for a 30 minute turn on the computer and hopefully if they are in middle or high school that is enough time to finish school work. We need to integrate technology in all subject areas to help our students be prepared for the 21st Century.==

==I was very impressed with the Universal Design for Learning. I was not even aware there was a resource like this. It really fits with what I have learned as a teacher, one size does not fit all and the UDL will help meet the needs of a wide variety of learners. Over 20 years ago, I started hearing about brain research and teaching. Brain research has progress tremendously and knowing the three brain networks: recognition, strategic and affective all help students learn in different ways. The design of UDL really gives meaning to learning for all students especially students with disabilities. These students need the flexibility that technology offers to be successful each day. Teachers need to take the time to rethink the goals, materials, methods and assessments used for all students. Technology can help teachers meet the needs of all students.== Page, M.S. (2002) Technology-enriched classrooms: Effects on students of low socioeconomic status. //Journal of Research on Technology in Education//, 34(4), 389-409. Retrieved November 11, 2009 from the International Society of Education []

Week 1 This week lectures focused on three learning theories constructivism, connectivism, and cyborg theory. I believe my teaching philosphy is a combination of both constructivism and connectivism. I believe learning should be student-centered by building on a student’s knowledge base. I believe students connect learning to personal experiences when teachers can help students make connects both internally and externally students are going to be successful. Technology used correctly can be the key to both constructivism and connectivism by tearing down the four classroom walls and opening up a world of learning. I was fascinated with Kevin Warwick’s experiences with “chips” implanted in his nervous system and how it relates to the Cyborg theory. I remember watching Star Trek on TV and was amazed that doors could open when you just walked up to them. Now this is an every day technology. Warwick’s video displays thinking that could very easily be every day technology in the very near future. The implication for student learning is profound with this new technology.

The readings this week focus on how technology can improve student learning. Teachers need to create a learner-centered environment with students working in cooperative groups. Teachers that can use new technologies will connect and motivate students. Communication and social networking tools can make learning personal. The readings reveal research that shows students who use web 2.0 tools are out performing students in a traditional classroom. One area that shows the greatest motivation and improvement with technology is at-risk and special needs students. Technology is seen as non judgmental and these students exceed expectations when they use it. The main idea of this week’s readings was not to just use technology for technology sake but through careful planning technology can be a powerful tool in a learner-centered classroom.