This course has opened my eyes to some great technologies available and how to implement them into a course by giving hands on experiences with that technology. The main point that kept reoccurring was what Thornburg said about ensuring that when you are utilizing technology to do different things, and not just do the same thing in a different way (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010). Also Thornburg made an excellent point that just throwing technology into a classroom will not ensure that improvements will occur, the teacher needs to know how to use that technology to its fullest potential (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010). By having hands on experiences with blogs, wikis, and podcasts I now know some of the pitfalls my students may encounter when I attempt to have them utilize that technology and have an idea of how to avoid those pitfalls. Another thing this course has done for me is to help me understand that students need to be guided more than told what to do. The role of the teacher is no longer one of distributor of knowledge, but more of a facilitator who constructs real world situations for his or her students to learn (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010). While I was taking this course I was already searching for more ways that I can step back and let my students take the reins, and guide their learning experiences rather than just telling them the answers. For example, I now have my students take their notes at home through my website for the class, and then we have class discussions about the information they reviewed at home, rather than me just standing in front of the room and telling them what was important from the notes. One way I intend to ensure that my knowledge base for technology continues to expand, is I plan to learn about all the technology programs and hardware available to me and first learn how to use it on my own and then see where I can fit it into my curriculum.
This course has given me many insights into ways that I can incorporate technology into my course and integrate ways to instruct 21st century skills to my students. One goal I have is to attempt to get a computer cart devoted solely to my classroom so that I always have the opportunity to utilize technology in my course. If each student has a computer available to them daily then I can demonstrate appropriate ways to interact and use technology in a safe and structured environment. One issue I currently have is we only have a limited number of computers for the entire school, so I plan to write a proposal to obtain funding for laptop computers for the chemistry department. I will have to do more research to determine what grants and other sources of funds are available, but I can absolutely see that the effort would be worth it for my students. Another goal I have is to change the way that I assess my students. Dede pointed out that students will be expected to work collaboratively in the work force, so I want to model that as much as possible for my students (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010). A problem with this is that the majority of standardized tests are still individual, so to prepare students for that type of testing teachers usually give individualized tests. I will attempt to find a way to prepare my students for these standardized tests, while still incorporating collaboration with every major assessment. I believe I can do this if I format the assessment correctly, to still have my students learn the skills to be successful on a standardized test but also teach them how to work as a team to solve problems.
After reviewing my answers to the self-assessment from week one I do see a change with certain categories of the assessment. I have already created more assignments that require my students to be more self-reflective. Before I only occasionally had assignments where students needed to self-reflect, now students participate in assignments at least weekly where they are self-reflecting. I also have change the amount of choice students have to present information. Before, students rarely had the option to choose the way they would present information or show me what they learned; now students have the opportunity to complete a differentiated assessment that still demonstrates they have gained the required skills but offers them a choice of how they will demonstrate that knowledge. The last major change is with the use of technology itself. The availability of technology in my school is limited, so I was less prone to attempt to use the technology. Now that I see how the technology can enhance my lessons by allowing the students to manipulate the information I am signing up for the laptop carts almost weekly. Students are searching for their own information to understand concepts and I am more of a guide in the process than the one telling them where to look.
This course has helped me to understand how much more I can help my students by stepping back and allowing them to take control. It has provided me with some excellent experience with using free technologies that can be incorporated into any classroom. Also this course has helped me to understand that the skills my students will need are not the same as they used to be, so we as teachers need to change with the times and keep abreast to the current practices and technologies available so we can give our students the best chance at success.
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (2010). Understanding the impact of technology on education, work,
and society. Baltimore, MD: Dede.
Laureate Education, Inc. (2010). Understanding the impact of technology on education, work,
and society. Baltimore, MD: Thornburg.
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