Reflective Statement
What
a Long Strange Trips It’s Been
As I have progressed through the countless assignments and numerous course readings one thing sticks in my mind, “you will never again know as little as you know now.” This quote opened the year in Educational Computing and has lingered through my mind the entire time. From the first module, that introduced us to media literacy, until the final module, on WebQuests and E-Portfolios, I have been constantly learning and refining my technology skills. Overall this will lead to me becoming a well rounded and professional educator.
Within the first module I was introduced to media literacy objectives and how to incorporate them into every lesson plan using technology. It was during this time that I finally realized that computers are not the only thing comprising technology. DVDs, overhead projectors, Video Tapes and a myriad of other devices comprise technology. It was also during this time that I refined a definition of literacy to be, being able to understand something, communicate understanding, apply your understanding in some way and be able to achieve a predetermined standard or objective. This has been incorporated into my philosophy of education and my everyday teaching practice.
As time progressed the telecommunications module commenced and brought with it a whole new set of learning to be accomplished. During this module I enjoyed the readings on “Digital Kids” by Montgomery. It shed new light on the ability of advertisers to infiltrate even the most sacred of children’s sanctuaries, the school. This module was extremely helpful for evaluation of websites. I was able to design and implement a website evaluation tool that has helped me design my website and choose websites to be included my WebQuest.
The next component of the class dealt with the use of technology as a tool. This was an intense unit that taught me how to utilize Inspiration, Excel and PowerPoint for myself as well as the classroom. Within this unit I designed a wonderful lesson plan that incorporates PowerPoint and collaborative work to introduce a year’s curriculum. This is something that I am going to utilize in next year to begin the year. I believe it ill work well, before the classroom begins to become hectic and crowded with curriculum. The use of Inspiration showed me that educators can utilize this program to diagram lesson notes in a graphical setting to help differentiate a lesson plan, ensuring success for all. Inspiration can also be used by students to create links between information that once had no connections, through logical thoughtful patterns.
The penultimate unit dealt with utilizing computers as a tutor. This unit was helpful in developing my software evaluation skills along with reintroducing me to Gardner’s multiple intelligences. With the addition of software evaluation skills I can now take less time searching for quality software to utilize in the classroom, and more time designing effective technologically enhanced lesson plans. Within the article “Multimedia and Multiple Intelligences” by Veenema and Gardner I had an a ha! experience. The use of software packages can reach multiple intelligences and still teach the same in-depth material. This led me to find the Scholastic software package, “Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution” that incorporated visual, auditory and interpersonal intelligences to tell the story of writing the Constitution of the United States of America.
E-Portfolios and WebQuests are the bulk of the final unit, and two subjects that work well to sum up this entire class. During this module I have worked on my web design skills. These skills will prove useful for my classroom and my eventual website. The development of an E-portfolio has helped me to view my growth longitudinally and will be a useful asset this spring when pursuing jobs. This final unit also calls into play the Blog I have started and maintained throughout the semester. I have found blogs to be a useful tool for use in education. The development of a photo blog was also another useful way to incorporate technology into the drab world of Social Studies. Blogs are the future of asynchronous learning environments and should be regarded highly by educators looking to produce truly literate citizens.
Overall this course has presented me with problems and solutions. It has left me with a great deal of information and answers, but with even more questions. These questions mostly deal with how to take what I have learned and incorporate it into my lesson plans without going overboard and starting a revolution. As time progresses I hope to take a position of leadership in the smart use of technology within the curriculum.