Reflection of Learning

Completing my first semester towards my master's degree is a wonderful feeling.  I'm glad to take a moment to look back at where I started just a few months ago, but seems like forever.  My first exposure to 501, capturing my thoughts about educational technology on video...that was a challenge.  Recording and deleting and starting again, a vicious cycle to which finally, although not completely satisfied, I did submit the assignment.  Terribly painful, extremely rewarding!  Then came the first graduate level writing assignment.  What a challenge!  Needless to say, I was very sympathetic to my fifth grade students lack of enthusiasm when I assigned the next writing assignment.  However, just like the video, I made it through.
Now at the end of the course, I take a look back at how I have changed the way I approach an assignment today, compared to the first few modules.

1. Read the WHOLE module before beginning and then read it again several times during the week.  Knowing what the expectation was at the end of the week, changed how I approached the beginning of the week.
2. If there are several assigned readings, start with the easiest read, not vice versa.  I usually attack the tough stuff first and reward myself with an easy finish, not the best strategy here.  Getting through the easier text first gave me a foundation for understanding the tough reading.
3. Apply it to the real world. Making assignments applicable to the classroom or new technology gave them meaning.
4. You must take time for family and play.  Balance is everything.

My favorite assignment to complete was the RSS feed because I learned about screencasting (which I had been planning to learn for months) and uploading video with captions (I can now tell you the easy way).  My most thought provoking assignment was digital divide and digital inequality.  Looking at the same things I see every day with a different viewpoint, made all the difference.  I look at things very differently now, than before this assignment.

After taking this course, I am working to increase teacher training on our campus.  I am beginning by asking what teachers need and want to learn.  Also, I continue to share every new thing I learn with at least one person on campus.  As I said in my first video, this is an area where I am passionate.  Introducing students and teachers to the world of technology is exciting!  I will take the excitement created by our amazing little group of Edtech 501 Spring 2014 and carry it with me as I continue my Edtech journey.  I appreciate all I have learned from everyone.

School Evaluation Summary

This assignment has given me an opportunity to evaluate our school after implementing a 4:1 ratio throughout the district.  This implementation has created an equal opportunity for students who are in classrooms with teachers who have been hesitant about requesting technology for classroom use.  Although having the device in the classroom does not guarantee the use of technology, there is a feeling of excitement mixed with the trepidation of implementing technology for those teachers less experienced with technology integration. The evaluation led me to question the process of technology acquisitions and integration in schools.  Which method is more effective?  Placing devices in classrooms, then provide teacher training or training teachers in basic technology integration followed by delivering devices to classrooms?  I believe there are pros and cons to both.  In our school we have teachers at varied levels of technology experience.  For those ready to jump in to further integration, not having to wait to be trained on devices allowed for instant access to technology and promoting its use in the classroom.  Does that outweigh the opposite effect of teachers with little experience who now feel pressure to use the devices given to them without training?  At this time, I feel either of the ways to implement computer use in the classrooms would have created discomfort for some of the teachers.  At our site, I believe we chose the best of two imperfect situations.  Teachers who had experience quickly increased their technology in the classroom.  For those who were hesitant, having the computers available with the promise of future training allowed them to access them at their own pace, trying new lessons as they felt comfortable.

I am excited by our district and site commitment to technology use in our classrooms.  As the newly created technology committee moves forward, I believe we will improve the amount of training and support provided to teachers.  Moving 1:1 in the district will allow classes to move towards paperless, cloud-based assignments while integrating new common core curriculum.  I believe we are headed in the right direction and although new problems may surface along the way, with strategic goals and procedures in place, both students and teachers will improve their technology integration in the classroom.

School Evaluation Summary

School Evaluation Survey