Reflection

When I started this class, I had no idea there were so many ways to incorporate technology into my lesson plans. I really enjoyed our class project; working with teammates in other states and countries was wonderful. I felt the experience is something that will help me when I put my class into groups. I am also a kinetic learner so the hands on projects and assignments were very helpful. I was very nervous before I finished a project and by the time I finished I really felt my technological skills were expanding.
I think the best way for me to continue to expand my knowledge of technology integration with the aim of increasing student achievement, is to keep up with my personal blog and continue to keep up with all the sites and blogs I bookmarked like http://www.21stcenturyskills.org, . If I want to be relevant, I need to stay on top off teaching trends. Partnership for 21st Century Skills emphasis the essential 4c’s (critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration and creativity and innovation) and I hope to highlight these in my lesson plans daily.
I think two goals I can accomplish in my classroom that will integrate technology are using more blogs daily with my students and having them do more group projects were I am more of a guide than an instructor. Dr. David Thornburg (2008) said, teachers now change facilitator of learning rather than to direct it. I think the best way for me to stick with these goals will be to experiment with all the new things I have learned, blogging, and wiki’s. podcasts, etc. Because I have taken this course and was provided so many useful sites, blogs, and sources for new information on our changing classrooms, it will be easier. I have also talked with my principal about starting a technology group that will meet and discuss new trends that can be implementing in the classroom. I have also have many peers at my school that are very interested in integrating technology into their classrooms and are now asking for my help. That means I need to stay informed to help them as well. This class has been great and very useful in the real world classroom setting, were many education courses are not.

Laureate, Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). The changing role of the classroom teacher: Part 1: Understanding the impact of technology on education, work, and society [DVD]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). A report and mile guide for 21st century skills. Washington DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/