Reflecting…

When I began this course, I was more a bit overwhelmed by what I thought was the complexity of Web 2.0. After becoming more informed, I found it easy to navigate the different technologies required by the coursework. I also learned how to incorporate different media into my classroom. Doing each of the applications increased my confidence and mastery of each task and led me to work more effectively when teaching 21st Century Skills. Using technology in my classroom will increase student engagement and learning, and will only continue to improve as technology becomes more accessible in my school.

Because of my experiences in this course, not only know do I know how to use different programs and websites, I know that they are user-friendly. I never thought I would ever create a podcast or even edit media in that way, but I felt comfortable doing it. I also learned the variety of ways to use this technology personally and professionally (Richardson, 2008). I began seeing possibilities all around me in my classroom, including posting podcasts for my students to review materials or provide directions. I began identifying ways to meet the curriculum using wikis and blogs and other forms of technology to the point that my co-teachers were excited about the possibilities.

I have become aware of the difference technology makes to students. Their level of engagement is increased more than I could ever imagine. By interviewing my students on their usage of technology inside and out of school, I can begin thinking of ways to incorporate what they know as digital natives into my lessons. Students today think differently and need to be reached differently because of their experiences with technology they come to school with (Prensky, 2001).

Teachers at every level from novice to expert have begun changing the ways they teach their students. By incorporating technology, I can allow students to increase their capabilities of learning and collaborating with peers instead of learning just from lectures or teacher-led discussions and activities. Students are more invested in learning and are able to find means to express themselves and show their understanding of course material if allowed to choose the medium in which they present it. I have become more creative ways to evaluate and assess student progress. Although it does take more planning and initial instruction and modeling of the technology, students spend more time constructing their own learning and creating products.

Since I know that these methods are successful with my students, I am motivated to continue learning how to use technology to increase student learning. I have found Prensky’s articles very interesting and informative on the subject and will seek out more of his work and research. When searching articles in the Walden databases, I have found a plethora of information dedicated to this topic. I find that by staying informed on the research, I am able to better apply it in my classroom. Subscribing to blogs related to the topic and those posted by teachers hoping for similar outcomes is also a benefit to my continued learning. I also collect data within my classroom to track student progress and I hope to see a positive shift in learning as I teach my students during their high school careers.

Over the next two years, I plan to create a working document in the form of a wiki in my learning strategies course for students receiving special education support. There is currently no text for the class and having this resource would help students during and after they complete the year. Students will complete all entries, revisions, and additions to the document. After this year’s class completes the document, next year’s class will review and revise materials as needed. Right now, in my school, no one is incorporating the use of this technology in their classroom. I hope by seeing my students’ success will inspire teachers.

I also plan to create a capstone project for seniors to complete before graduation. As juniors this year, they will be learning different types of technology and learning a repertoire of media which they can use in and out of school. Students will be required to respond to a prompt involving problem solving skills, reflection of their learning, and goal-setting for their future. They will be asked to express themselves using a multimedia means most comfortable for them. This will only be possible if students become comfortable using available media and hopefully technology my school will be acquiring in the future. Students will need to use their skill set to work within and outside the classroom to compile their learning to complete the project.

The most important thoughts I take from this course are that students today are different and therefore, teachers need to be different. If I am to meet the needs of all of my students, I need to teach them and prepare them using the technology available to us. This task seems daunting and overwhelming at times, but after becoming familiar with the media, the possibilities for teaching and learning are endless.

Resources
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants. On the Horizon, 9(5).
Richardson, W. (2006). Blogs, wiks, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.