Concluding Thoughts

When I first signed up for this course I thought I would like to learn more about integrating technology with my classes. I am working on my Masters plus 15 credits and thought this class would get me going in the right direction. Then I looked if there were any restrictions to the class. It stated “Familiarity with the World Wide Web and e-mail and an active e-mail account.” I thought to myself, I know the World Wide Web; I have an e-mail account at home and at school. I could take this course, I’ll be just fine. Little did I know how much I really didn’t know? Just going in the first day and having a lap top in front of me was a bit scary. I felt like I was thrown into the den with the lions and I better figure out this technology and slowly climb out before I get eaten. Now two weeks later I am no longer at the bottom of the den but I’m not totally out either. Let’s just say I am excited about all of the new things that I have learn and I am slowly picking up new ways to do things. You learn with a lot of trial and error and knowing who to ask for help.

So what have I learned in this class. Well, there are so many things to do and find on the internet, from podcast to RSS feeds (and now I know that RSS does not only stand for Reading Success from the Start-HA HA HA) to web quest to protopage to pageflakes to wikis to wikipedia and every other kind of wiki out there. If any thing, my poor brain was on over load for two weeks straight and this was right after a stressful school year. It was a lot to take in all at once but believe it or not it is sinking in. I know I will be going back to my Del.icio.us account and look back at some the sites that I didn’t have time to read. I have also found myself googling everything. I was always knew about Google but for some reason I really didn’t use it much for education. I know this school year it will be more of a resource to me.
What else will I try; well I may try blogging with my 3rd of 4th graders. I would love to get them to reflect more on what we read and do. I would like to make my own teacher blog with lots of resources for parents to go to. Now that I know what a blog is and somewhat know how to create one. I’m not sure what else I will try but I think I will start with one small group and slowly build from there.

Lastly, what I got out of this class was to “to think outside of the box”. Develop student directed activities rather than teacher directed activities. I know that my creative side will help me there. Pink had good points with the L-Directed Brain and the R-Directed Brain. One side is not better than the other but we need to utilize both sides of the brain. I really enjoyed reading the book A Whole New Mind. It had great examples to bring out your creative side. I will keep it as a reference. I did enjoy hearing about everyone else’s books as well. What I great way to share all of that information.

I have been teaching for twenty years and I still look for new ways to do things and boy do I have a boat load after this class. I am lucky to have access to a computer lab so that I am able to try out some of the things that I have learned. I think for schools to go forward with technology, we need lots of teacher training and support. I know that change is not easy with teachers but when you point out the success you can get from your students that may change their thinking. Well now that class is over I can relax a bit but I know that the wheels are still spinning in my head with new ideas for the fall.


Lorajean