Course Reflection

Throughout this course, I have gained experience with technologies that I did not previously use, including blogs, wikis, and podcasts. While I was aware of these tools and often utilized blogs, wikis, and podcasts posted by others, I never created my own. Experiencing these technologies first hand is an important first step in incorporating them into the classroom. In addition, I also learned many possible ways to use these tools to engage my students and help them to take ownership of their educational experience.

Classroom technology is much more than just a way to get students’ attention. Today’s millennial learners have grown up in a world where unlimited information is available at their fingertips (Laureate Education Inc., 2008). As a teacher, I am responsible for teaching my students how to be efficient consumers of that information, as well as how to be responsible participants in the global digital community. This type of information literacy is one of the many twenty-first century skills defined by Dr. Thornburg (Laureate Education Inc., 2008).

As information literacy and other twenty-first century skills become the focus in the classroom, the role of the teacher must change, as well. To foster skills such as team work, collaboration, and critical thinking, the teacher must take on the role of a facilitator rather than a lecturer (Keengwe, Onchwari, & Wachira, 2008). I have always included student-centered activities in my lessons whenever possible, but like most teachers, I fall into lecture mode from time to time. As a result of what I have learned in this course, I am increasingly aware of the need for learner-centered activities.

I need to be proactive in building collaborative communities through blogs, following them through RSS, and continuing to expand my own knowledge and comfort level with technology. I will also begin to incorporate technology slowly into my classroom. I hope to continue to build on my abilities over time and test new ideas in my classroom as I learn new technologies.

My first goal is to incorporate a blogging component into my students’ assignments. My second goal is to become an efficient consumer of web-based information related to technology and biology. Then, I will teach my students to do the same through assignments which require them to hone these skills.

Because I completed this course during the summer and do not currently have students, I cannot honestly say that my answers to the checklist from week one have changed. I do have many plans for the upcoming school year that will affect my answers, though. Most notably, I plan to provide students with many opportunities to use technology to support their learning, and also to design lessons that require students to formulate questions for inquiry and engage in real-world problem-solving activities.

Resources:
Keengwe, J., Onchwari, G., & Wachira, P. (2008). The use of computer tools to support meaningful learning. AACE Journal, 16(1), 77–92.
Laureate Education, Inc. (2008). Understanding the impact of technology on education, work, and society. Baltimore: Author.

Technology Prevalence Podcast

According to Alan November's article on the Tech & Learning web site, educators are wrong to ban student use of technology in the classroom. He argues that teachers need to take advantage of the learning tools that students enjoy using to increase motivation in the classroom. "The fact remains: These tools can be a major distraction from learning or they can be a major catalyst to it. It will be the courageous educator who works with students to explore the power of these tools and in turn empowers students to be lifelong learners and active shapers of a world we cannot yet imagine" (November, 2007).
I surveyed nine students from my high school to get a feel for their experience with technology. I recorded the results of my survey in a podcast posted below. Unfortunately, I was not able to obtain parental permission to record the students themselves.

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Resources:
November, Alan. (2007, June 15). Banning student containers. Tech & Learning. Retrieved from http://www.techlearning.com/article/7468