Chris+Final+Reflection

Chris Final Reflection

December 17, 2015

Dear Dr. C.,

This semester has been so fantastic! There are so many positive things that came from this mobile learning class. The structure, content, and assignments in this class were all top-notch, but my favorite part was you. Just like the last story we read, you were important to me. So I’ll start answering your questions now. What did I learn about myself (as a person) as a result of participating in this class? I found the value in project-based work, but I also realized I can get a little mean when I’m facing a deadline and my kids are screaming and my dog is barking and my husband just wants to watch football. I need to practice patience. I need to practice showing compassion to my children, who did not enroll themselves in graduate class. But I also need to remember that I am setting an example for them; you are never too old to learn or try new things. That if you work hard, it will pay off. I’m learning to find balance.

What did I learn about being a teacher from creating products? I learned that it is important to give clear direction, multiple means of background and supporting knowledge, and clear and fair expectations. It is important to not be too strict or constraining; give students room to breathe and be creative, and support them along the way. I also learned that I like predictability and format. At the beginning of each week, I knew and looked forward to the Weekly Reader with the link to that week’s assignment and background information. Organization and patterns are important. As a result of doing my projects, I am most proud of my family history video. I loved researching that project because it was meaningful to me. But most of all, I loved working with my children on that project. It was a real full-circle moment for me. I adored my grandparents, and putting my feet on the same paths they walked on at Ellis Island was powerful (and surprisingly emotional) for me. Then, when I put photos and videos together with my children’s voices and my grandparents’ photos, I was proud because I thought the outcome was really good but it also linked my past with my future.

Because of your emphasis on using apps and web tools that are free, I would be much more careful from now on using apps that require a fee. At my current job, the students are constrained by apps that will run on a Chromebook. Some are awesome and free, others are awesome and expensive. I will do more research and experimenting before I recommend apps to teachers and students. As far as concerns I have with using technology and how I will overcome obstacles… I have been teaching with technology long enough to know that things happen, and you just have to stay calm and figure it out. I work with an awesome team that will jump in to help if I need it, which is a great thing to be able to say. However, I would like to say that I am experienced enough to find creative ways to solve problems. As far as teaching, my biggest concern is that I am teaching three new classes in a new Careers and Tech Ed pathway. That is super exciting, and I am more than happy to trailblaze that path. But I am concerned that I will teach everything that is on the state competencies list. This can be overcome with proper planning beforehand and reflection throughout. While I’m concerned about it, I know that I can achieve everything I need to.

I am super excited and intrigued about the direction mobile technology will take opportunities for education! That sounds like a canned statement, but I really mean it. Mobile technology is changing our world so quickly! When I look at suburban America, where students are issued iPads and Chromebooks by their schools, I think “what an awesome opportunity!” And when I see how mobile technology, specifically smart phones, are connecting people in third world countries to the outside world that was unreachable before technology, I think “what a REALLY AWESOME opportunity!”

I am really excited about teaching because I love connecting with kids. Even though I passionate about my content area, the personal connections have always been my favorite part of teaching. I think that’s why your last story really hit home for me. I want my students to know they have a purpose, they have talents, and there is a reason they are here. They matter. That is also how I hope to make a difference. I hope that I am one of those teachers that somehow, in some way, made life different or better. Like your story, I want to be that teacher that lets her first-grader write with his left hand and doesn’t make him be like everybody else.

I have definite plans to be a 21st Century teacher. Purposeful technology is an essential part of my classroom. Communication and critical thinking are essential parts of my classroom. Creativity and project-based learning are essential parts of my classroom. I love what I do, and I’m good at what I do. My hope is that rubs off on my colleagues and my students. Having a plan, working hard, and working together - that’s what I do.

It has been a tremendous pleasure having the chance to work with you this semester, Dr. C. Thank you for sharing all your talents, stories, ideas, and work with us. We are all the better for it.

Sincerely, Chris Setley