Reflection Time!

During the course, Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society, I learned new ways I can use technology in my classroom. It was a great experience to learn about blogs, wikis, and podcasts. After the course, I reflected on the past 8 weeks. I hope I can share the information with other teachers and show what is available in the classroom.

• In what ways has this course helped you to develop your own technology skills as a professional teacher?

My previous thought in using technology with kindergarten students was to introduce the school’s computer programs and have the students watch me use the programs. This course was my first experience with using blogs, wikis, or podcasts. I never thought to use them with kindergarten students. Blogs, wikis, and podcasts were something I thought older students would benefit from rather than the younger students. With this course I discovered technology can be integrated at any grade level. There might be more teacher guidance at my grade level, but it can be done. I am excited to use the new information I learned from this course in my future classes.

• In what ways have you deepened your knowledge of the teaching and learning process?

I found the teaching and learning process is not a one-way street. Gone are the days of a teacher standing in front of the classroom and lecturing to students. Today’s 21st century learner discovers answers with the teacher. There is more interaction and collaboration with teachers and students.

• In what ways have you changed your perspective from being teacher-centered to learner-centered?

One way I have changed my perspective to a learner-centered one is I have to be aware of all students’ needs. There are many types of learners and the students are not cut from the same mold. I used to think I was supposed to know the answers to all the questions that were asked. After this course, I know it’s okay if I don’t know the answer. I can look up the answer with the students.

• In what ways can you continue to expand your knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology with the aim of increasing student achievement?

A way I can continue to expand my knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology is to keep myself updated with the latest in technology. In the future I will go to technology workshops when available. I want to share the knowledge from this class and future workshops with other teachers. I hope that with sharing information with other teachers we can achieve a common goal. The goal would be to increase student achievement.

• Set two long-term goals (within two years) for transforming your classroom environment by which you may have to overcome institutional or systemic obstacles in order to achieve them. How do you plan to accomplish these goals?

One goal for transforming my classroom environment is to introduce technology to parents as well as students. I plan to create class blogs in addition to paper newsletters. I want the parents involved and to show how technology can be beneficial in the classroom. I would like the blog to be informative as well as a place for discussion by parents and teachers.
My second goal in transforming my classroom environment is to incorporate more technology in my classroom by having more student involvement. I would like to introduce blogs, wikis, and podcasts to my students. There might be a lot of teacher guidance in using the three, but it would not be too early for the students to be exposed. I tend to just show the students things on the computer. I would like for them to find answers and let them show me.

• Refer to your checklist from Week 1. Have any of your answers changed after completing this course?

In referring to Week 1’s checklist I found my thoughts have changed in using technology in my classroom. Since I teach kindergarten, I thought the use of technology was limited. I realize I can use more technology in my classroom and will have to adjust it to the age level.

This class was very useful. I learned new ways I can incorporate technology in my classroom.

The New Way

My kindergarten students are growing up in a technology world. After taking a class survey, all of my students have computers at home. It is just the beginning of what is in the 5 and 6 year olds' future.


http://greent.podbean.com/mf/web/eih8fr/GreenPod.mp3