As this course draws to a close and I reflect on what I learned, I am very impressed by the outcomes of technological abilities I have been able to learn and incorporate into my classroom!
As a professional teacher in the classroom, this course has made me aware of great things in technology that I would have never found out about. This course has taught me to try it even if it seems hard or intimidating. There were applications that were introduced and I would get cold feet, because they were new and different! For me this was a challenge and I really enjoyed it. I have deepened my knowledge for technology in the classroom because it has become like second nature for me. When something is new I believe that a person is afraid to dabble into it, but this course has helped me to feel confident with technology that is challenging but fun & interesting!
I cannot say that I have shied away from my teacher-centered classroom management, but I am experiencing with the learner-center. With Kindergarten students it is very hard to let the students be on their own. Although I do give my higher leveled thinking students a chance to work with technology in our classroom. I do my best to shy away from teacher-centered but sometimes it is hard because the boys and girls think it is a play time sort of thing. I believe that with my higher leveled learners it is much more manageable to let them dive into using technology because they seem more mature to me and understand!
I will continue to expand my knowledge of learning, teaching and leading with technology to increase student achievement by continuing to try new things in the classroom that involve technology, encourage it at home and try to be more open to reaching every student with technology activities!
Over the next two years my long term goals include getting a smart board and having my in-focus machine mounted in the ceiling of my classroom. I hope to acquire the smart board by writing a grant to local companies explaining my need and uses for a smart board in my classroom. It would be a great addition for our class and also add many hours of creating great lessons to promote lifelong learners. The in-focus machine needs to be mounted for safety reasons. At this point it is very hard to constantly have to plug it in and move it to get it going. The cords are always in the way, which is a danger for my students and we have to share it as a grade level. I want to be able to just have it in my classroom for my own use without all of the hassle to go with it! I plan to achieve this goal by talking to administration and explaining my goals and concerns with this issue.
As I looked back on my checklist from week one, several answers have changed after completing this course. I checked off that I use a variety of digital tools to collaborate and communicate with students, parents, colleagues, and community stakeholders. I checked that I do that sometimes; I have changed it too often because I find myself doing it on a more frequent basis now! I also checked that I sometimes seek out other professionals, both at my school site and in the larger global community, with whom I share best practices and build a personal learning community to further my own professional growth; I am doing it on a more consistent basis now!
I have gained much insight from this course and will continue to use and learn more about each of the applications I encountered!
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