After a few years of stagnation, I really enjoyed this first step coming back to educational technology, and I’m looking forward to the next class and the next steps forward.
- What are some things that you have learned about effective teaching strategies when integrating technology?
I enjoy using new technology, and I like to see how I can adapt it for classroom use. I’ve been aware of NETS and TPACK for quite some time, and I’m looking forward to using a systematic method for evaluating and using technology in the classroom. The frameworks give me a different way to think about why and how technology is being used. Using these frameworks also allow me to use the technological skill sets the students bring into the classroom. I don’t have to be an expert in every piece of technology that comes along, but I can evaluate if it meets the content and technical expectations.
· How did integrating the Internet help you think about and evaluate uses of technology?
Using RSS, the Internet has the capability to feed you information over a wide range of topics from a variety of sources like YouTube, blogs, and wikis. Networks like Twitter and MaculSpace on Ning help you to create PLNs that provide support for using different ideas, methods, and technology in the classroom. The Internet has become much more than a research tool. Web2.0 allows us to create, collaborate, and share content in ways that were unimaginable only a few years ago. The way the Web2.0 can be used forces me to pause when I look at iOS devices as a mobile learning platform.
- Which of the assignments that you turned in do you feel really exemplifies good teaching with technology and why?
I thought the SIG project was fantastic because of all the different elements that were brought into it. Students had to collaborate, research, and use a variety of technology to create a final presentation that would be broadcast to a wider audience. These are exactly the type of skills students need to develop to be successful in the future. This was the first time I had done something like this without first meeting the person and I will be able to grow from it.
- How have you met your goals established in your Personal Growth Plan?
Here are the Goals I stated in my Personal Growth Plan.
I plan to continue teaching the Scratch programming and MovieStar camps I’ve developed and taught over the past few years. I’m developing “Do So Much with Your iPod Touch” , “PowerPoint SmowerPoint”, and other technology classes as bring your own device style classes to compensate for the lack of hardware. I plan to be more aggressive in contacting local school districts and area libraries for after-school tech clubs and programs.
Although I’ve developed them, I’m not meeting my goal of with BYOD classes. My organization doesn’t want to exclude people who don’t have the devices so I’ll have to do this on my own. Otherwise I’m doing well, I’ll have my summer camps (Scratch and MovieStar) with the Shiawassee RESD and the Clinton RESA and I’ve talked with after-school programs that we do outreaches with about providing tech components.
- Do you have any new goals? What are your plans for reaching your new goals and your long-term goals after this course is over?
I’m developing an online training program for our class offerings using Moodle. Our network administrator has given the green light on using our servers to host the project. Last year I wrote a school outreach grant for our historical programs and that will be continued this year, but I will develop a professional development piece that includes an online component.
