Final+Exam+and+Reflection

1. What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned? I envisioned a course that would provide practical applications for teaching with technology. I expected to experience and be exposed to technology-based lesson strategies and tools that could be applied directly to the classroom. I had a chance to do just that through the group project. The UDL Book Builder assignment gave me a lesson to share with the science teachers on my school, as well as ideas on how to use the Book Builder for vocabulary development and summarization. The readings on Universal Lesson Design provided me with a foundational rationale for using technology in the classroom to diversify learning experiences. I had expected, however, to experience more new types of technology tools hands-on. I would like to be introduced to more resources like the UDL Book Builder. Through my three courses, I have been introduced to wikis, blogs, google docs, and the Book Builder. I did learn new applications for the wiki and get to experience true collaborative lesson creation through a wiki for the first time. However, I would stlll like to be exposed to a greater breadth of resources. 2. To the extent that you achived the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not? I have already planned a lesson on mood using the Book Builder, so this course has absolutely been relevant. Such a simple but elegant and impressive-looking project is sure to motivate students, and is perfect for topics like different moods in literature that can be broken down into individual “pages” of information. Aside from the UDL Book Builder, the resource I found most relevant came from the textbooks. Our campus teaching approach is based on Marzano’s research, so Pitler’s 2007 //Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works// was valuable for me. It taught me how to use technology within the same framework and philosophy my campus already supports. Solom and Schrum’s (2007) chapter on “New tools in schools” provided a useful reference of available tools. The chapter made me more curious, however, to experience new technologies as I mentioned in Response 1. I would still like hands-on experience with digital storytelling and video production. 3. What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them? Again, I would simply like to be exposed to even more resources. Although I have acces to some of those resources such as Flickr, podcasts, and the collaborative research tools meantioned by Solomon and Schrum, it is still intimidating to explore them on my own, especially without a clear purpose or direction. These courses give the the opportunity and background knowledge to create new projects using new technology. Being given assignments helps me see at least that one use of the technologIy, after which I can form my own ideas for using it. I intend to continue using our course texts as a reference, but I still appreciate seeing the technology actually play out. For example, I am intriguded by the idea of collaborative research using social bookmarking and wikis, and I am also interested in collaborative writing, but I have trouble imagining how such activites would be organized or how to prepare students to complete them. 4. Were you successful in completing the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you? Some of the assignments, like the UDL Book Builder, took several steps to turn in, which was frustrating. The group project was challenging at times because each of us completed tasks on a different schedule, In future online group projects, we will need to create a timeline for each week’s assignments. Directions for the group project also left us confused at times, but our coach was able to address our questions. An example of a completed lesson unit would have been very helpful in getting us started. The individual assignments were very clear and straightforward. One issue I had with the wiki was that at times I would submit the assignment, then want to make changes or improvements to my wiki page. Having already submitted a copy of my wiki post throught the course software, however, I was discouraged from returning to edit or add content because I did not know which page would actually be graded. 5. What did you learn from this course: about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes? I learned that I truly do enjoy using a new technology tool for the first time. Ihad never considered myself to be a visual learner, but I realized that some of the activites in this course were enjoyable because they were so visual. My communication skills could use some improvement. At one point I created confusion in my group by creating a new google page rather than waiting for the group leader. Instead, it would have been easier for everyone for me to just email our group leader. Because I registered for the course late, I joined a group late and did not lead it. I typically take the leader position in any group, and struggled to give up the power at first. When I settled into my role and learned to trust my leader, however, I found that it can be nice to be a team member every now and then. Essentially, I learned to trust other group members rather than thinking I had to do everything myself.