Reflection

EDUC-6715I-5 New and Emerging Technologies

Instructor: Jacqueline Derby

As this class draws to an end, I am excited to use the skills and strategies, as well as the new technological tools with my students. Through this class, I have learned that there are many technological tools that are useful for everyday classroom use.

Technology seems to be forever growing in today's society. New and emerging technologies continue to develop. With the week 6 and week 7 assignments, I was able to reflect on what type of emerging technology I would want to implement into my classroom. I love the thought of each child having technology right there at their fingertips. I know this can be expensive, but truly beneficial to all of my learners. Technology engages students and lets creativity flow. I want my students to enjoy learning. With the assignment I had created, I designed a lesson where my students would be able to blog with their peers and make connections with students from all over. In order to create an effective lesson with blogging, I would want my students to each have a computer. I created a grant in order for my students to each receive a Net book computer. With the Net books, I can create a time for my students to reflect and blog.

With the incorporation of technology, I know that I am able to reach the needs of all my learners. It is also important to me that I continue my professional growth in this area so that I am able to keep up to date on the latest technology tools and the way to integrate them into a lesson successfully.

Elizabeth Cotton

Reflection

EDUC-6714I-4 Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology

Instructor: Christopher Calvin

As this course comes to an end, I reflect back on all that I have learned. I not only have been able to use more technological tools with my students, but I have also learned that I am truly confident in the way that I incorporate technology into my classroom. This class has taught me that with the resources we have used, I am able to meet the needs of all of my learners effectively.

I also have learned that it is alright to ask for advice or help from peers. I have learned so much through discussions that have taken place throughout this course. I have received many great websites to use in my own classroom with the diversity of my class. These websites, such as:

• http://www.uhseport.net/published/k/sh/kshaw/collection/1/
• http://www.manhattan.k12.ca.us/staff/pware/diff/
• http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3747932

With these sites, I am able to use UDL effectively with each of my students. With the use of technology, students are able to strive and gather their knowledge through a variety of resources.

With every child different, every child having a need to learn differently, and every teacher with a different learning style, it is important that I as a teacher, can customize the curriculum and the activities so that each of my students are able to gather knowledge.

Technology plays a large role in the classroom. By using it daily, my students are able to be creative and be engaged in the lesson. I want to make sure that I am able to continue my professional growth so that I am able to continue to benefit the needs of my students through instruction.

Elizabeth Cotton

Creating An Effective Learning Environment

Technology plays a large role in my daily lessons. It is important for my students to understand and use a variety of technology tools. For many, if not most of my students, incorporating technology has truly been beneficial to their learning needs. For many of my fourth grade students who are not at grade level, many technology tools have been put into place for additional practice on a skill. There are many lessons that can be created in order to promote ongoing collaboration between the students through the use of technology. In my classroom, we have the use of a SMARTboard as well as have three student computers and one teacher computer. Students are able to access these computers daily. We also make one hour weekly computer lab visits in order for the whole class to work on a project or assignment. Students use technology tools such as pod casts, wiki’s, blogs, voice threads, power points, word documents, and moviemaker during their fourth grade year. Students are also given options in using these technology tools so that it fits their needs and learning styles. It is important for my students to feel comfortable with these tools in order to prepare them for the world of technology in which we live in. . Not only do these technological tools engage the learners, but it meets the needs of each learner as well.

I want to be able to have open communication with my students, their families, and with the faculty. I feel that communication is very important throughout the year and for the development of a child. I am always available to have a discussion during my plan times as well as before and after school. I make sure that my students families have my email address in order to contact me via the computer as well. I have also set up a webpage for my students, their families, colleagues and administration can view classroom procedures, assignments, student work, and other school related information, which they can visit anytime. It is important that I keep my webpage updated so that the information is always new.
It is important for me and my students to keep growing in all areas of the curriculum. Technology plays a large role in that as well. I make sure that I use the technology that I have in my classroom and the technology that is provided for us at school on a daily basis. I work very closely with the technology facilitator in order to keep up with the latest ideas and strategies to use in my classroom. I also work on grants to keep the option open for new technological tools for students.

Technology plays a large role in that as well. I make sure that I use the technology that I have in my classroom and the technology that is provided for us at school on a daily basis. I want to make sure that I can provide my students with the knowledge and tools that they need to become successful life long learners.

Elizabeth Cotton