DeeAnn+Final+Reflection

x I have loved technology from the first time I asked my students to craft an “I am poem” and then create a Wordle from it. Seeing their words in the visual images was powerful. I recognized that it was a new kind of literacy – the visual image, the words, and then sharing it with each other to connect and learn more about each other. This semester has opened up more of those powerful tools for my students to learn new literacies. It might not be something new, but I rediscovered the power of digital literacies that motivated me in the first place to study how to use technology to transform my teaching. One of the reasons I have gone back to school is to learn how to transform my students learning experience through available technology. I really love how engaged students are when they use a tool that transforms their thinking or reshapes it. I did recognize as we created though, that learning new technologies can have a steep learning curve and patience is essential What you are most proud of as a result of doing your products. As a result of creating my products and of learning to use the tools and resources, I have now integrated many of them into my own classroom and teaching. I also have been able to use many products that I created in class into my teaching as well. Real world application for my own learning has shown me how to apply it to my students’ learning as well This didn’t just begin this semester, but something I always try to do differently when I use technology is to make sure it is a worthwhile integration. Learning to recognize the difference is important. This semester as we created work, we reinforced the difference between a worthwhile learning experience with technology and a gimmick. I now more than previously, integrate meaningful technology into my curriculum. In teaching my greatest concerns are that we continue to teach to the status quo when it is so obvious we need a great shift in our thinking and teaching. Our students are not the same as they use to be and our world has changed dramatically because of the technological changes that have taken place in the last twenty years. To overcome these obstacles, I have decided at 48 years old to go back to school to help me help my students navigate through their quickly changing world. I am most excited to see what will come about in the future in educational technology, in multiple intelligence theory and in integrating the two of them to meet the individual needs of our diverse students. I like to think that I have already begun my transition into a twenty-first century classroom. Even though I have some limitations with available technology, the creativity, collaboration and connected part of twenty-first century learning is something for which I strive. Now I can’t imagine teaching any other way! Really that is the question for every teacher. I hope to lead by example and to show others what is possible and the difference they can make. It worries me that a greater part of the older generation of our teachers look at technology as a gimmick, as something that is a fad or that will pass, or something that is being done to them or added to their long list of duties. I think I can be an example to others that if I can change and be motivated by the possibilities so can they. I have a wonderful professor who has said that being unwilling to change is a sign of aging, so no matter how old you are if you are willing to change, you are still young.
 * What did you learn about yourself (as a person) as a result of participating in this class (good and bad)?
 * What did you learn about being a teacher from creating your products?
 * What you would do differently next time you use technology.
 * What you are most concerned about with teaching and how you will overcome obstacles.
 * What you are most excited or intrigued about with regards to using technology. and with teaching.
 * Which century will you teach in--the twentieth or twenty-first and what indicators will be present that most epitomize your classroom?
 * What difference will you make?