ISLT 7377: Introduction to Technology in Schools
Spring 2012
Course Description:
Study of theories and practices associated with educational technology. Explores basic instructional design processes and strategies for integrating technology into teaching and learning. Provides an overview of the EdTech field and a survey of emerging trends.
Reflection Statement:
When reflecting upon my class and my advancements in Education Technology I have gained a great deal of knowledge and understanding. I have grown throughout the semester, and have also gained more information and tools that I can take back to the classroom with me.
Throughout the semester, I have learned a new way to create lesson plans that helps me to establish a concise way to include technology into the classroom. This has become a helpful tool for me to ensure my students are gaining the knowledge they deserve. I really enjoyed creating the TILP because it made me reflect on my own teaching methods and re-assess my teaching. In addition, I have provided the template to some of the teachers in my building and have they have begun using it as well. I like that it is consistently asking you to question yourself and reflect upon why you would chose to use a certain piece of instructional technology. I also appreciate that it requires reflection of a lesson so that I can gain more knowledge if there were things I could improve upon later.
In addition, I really enjoyed the discussion board about teaching with technology as opposed to learning from technology. I often preach to the teachers I work with that using technology does not necessarily mean that it really is influencing the students. It may make a major impact in how you teach, but does not mean that the students are gaining anything more by you using the technology. I liked some of the comments some people made about the idea that students have to actually use the technology in order to actually gain something from the technology. Presenting using technology is not necessarily the best means in which to expose students to technology. They need the interaction to gain the technology skills that they require for a world full of technology.
I enjoyed reading my other peer's TILP’s because it was helpful to find the different tools that they use. I have learned a great deal of new Web 2.0 tools and am very excited to have learned more of them. One that I believe I will use in the future is Nota. Richard, a member of my learning team used it for collaboration with his students when they were going to be working on a group project. With that, he was easily able to see which students were contributing and which were not. He was also able to see exactly where they got their information. I like that it allowed for the students to communicate while still doing their own research. I feel that this tool could be helpful for doing group projects but also for collaboration between teachers. So often, in our buildings we lack time to communicate with each other, but with this service, we would be able to continue conversations easily without having to meet.
I really enjoyed the group collaboration aspect of the class. I was concerned at first because we do not meet at all, and also I am an independent individual when it comes to working. I had a hard time trusting others to complete the work we are expected to do. This course required me to step outside my comfort zone and work with others without ever meeting them. I had a great connection with my group and learned a great deal from them. They were able to provide me with new tools and new knowledge that I can apply to my classroom and provide for other teachers to learn as well.
Throughout the semester, I have learned a new way to create lesson plans that helps me to establish a concise way to include technology into the classroom. This has become a helpful tool for me to ensure my students are gaining the knowledge they deserve. I really enjoyed creating the TILP because it made me reflect on my own teaching methods and re-assess my teaching. In addition, I have provided the template to some of the teachers in my building and have they have begun using it as well. I like that it is consistently asking you to question yourself and reflect upon why you would chose to use a certain piece of instructional technology. I also appreciate that it requires reflection of a lesson so that I can gain more knowledge if there were things I could improve upon later.
In addition, I really enjoyed the discussion board about teaching with technology as opposed to learning from technology. I often preach to the teachers I work with that using technology does not necessarily mean that it really is influencing the students. It may make a major impact in how you teach, but does not mean that the students are gaining anything more by you using the technology. I liked some of the comments some people made about the idea that students have to actually use the technology in order to actually gain something from the technology. Presenting using technology is not necessarily the best means in which to expose students to technology. They need the interaction to gain the technology skills that they require for a world full of technology.
I enjoyed reading my other peer's TILP’s because it was helpful to find the different tools that they use. I have learned a great deal of new Web 2.0 tools and am very excited to have learned more of them. One that I believe I will use in the future is Nota. Richard, a member of my learning team used it for collaboration with his students when they were going to be working on a group project. With that, he was easily able to see which students were contributing and which were not. He was also able to see exactly where they got their information. I like that it allowed for the students to communicate while still doing their own research. I feel that this tool could be helpful for doing group projects but also for collaboration between teachers. So often, in our buildings we lack time to communicate with each other, but with this service, we would be able to continue conversations easily without having to meet.
I really enjoyed the group collaboration aspect of the class. I was concerned at first because we do not meet at all, and also I am an independent individual when it comes to working. I had a hard time trusting others to complete the work we are expected to do. This course required me to step outside my comfort zone and work with others without ever meeting them. I had a great connection with my group and learned a great deal from them. They were able to provide me with new tools and new knowledge that I can apply to my classroom and provide for other teachers to learn as well.
Artifact:
TILP
In my Technology Integration Learning Plan I created a lesson plan integrating technology into a lesson about Viruses and Bacteria
Concept Map - PDF
My concept map demonstrates the connections between technology, learning and teaching. I used the program Inspiration to demonstrate how all three topics connect.