LL13 – Final Thoughts

What have I learned?

1. List the software/applications you experimented with this semester

Wikis Blogs Delicious (social bookmarking) Wordle Wisdomap (and other mindmapping applications) Twitter

Google Forms Google Sites Rubistar Flickr Audacity Photobooth Moove

Feed Readers Skype Mendele Darfur is Dying Food Force Free Rice Survey Monkey

2. List the instructional strategies you learned about in this class

Direct Instruction demonstrations didactic questions drill and practice explicit teaching mastery lecture guides for reading, listening, and viewing structured overview Indirect Instruction case study cloze procedure concept attainment concept formation concept mapping inquiry problem-solving reading for meaning reflective study

Interactive Instruction brainstorming circle of knowledge cooperative learning groups debate discussion interveiwing lab groups panels peer practice problem solving role-plays tutorial groups Experimental Learning experiments field observations field trips focused imaging games model building role plays simulations surveys synectics

Independent Study assigned questions computer-assisted instruction correspondence lessons essays homework learning activity packages learning centres learning contracts research projects

3. How does technology aid in communication?

Technology aids in communication by its endless possibilities to express oneself through different forms of multimedia.  Also technology allows us to communicate with others who are not right in front of our faces.  From the telephone, to instant messenger, to email, to this blog, and even the use of video conferencing, all are methods to bring people together in communication.  Although technology will never fully replace the face to face interaction, technology allows us to use our time better, instead of having to travel for a meeting, we can communicate with the use of a program like skype.  Instead of sending a letter in the mail to China which could takes days or weeks, we can send an email which takes seconds.  Also, through the use of the internet, some communication takes place more on your time than based off of when you an another person is available.

4. How can technology assist you as a teacher?

One of the things that we talk about in this course is the multiple learning styles of students.  As a teacher I believe we need to be conscious of this fact, however if we are able to incorporate all learning styles into a lesson, students as a whole will get more out of it.  Although a student may favor one type of learning style, they are still receptive to the others, and by using all three styles, we are catering to more of their senses which will allow for deeper understanding. Through the use of technology we are able to reach out to more of those learning styles through simulations, visual effects, and the use of audio.

5. What did you learn about yourself as a presenter?

As a presenter I have learned that I need to slow down a bit when I present.  I tend to get nervous and speed through things, luckily for me technology tends to help me slow down, I don’t need to remember quite as much from memory to present, although the more that I have memorized the better my presentation.

6. What did you learn about Internet safety?

I used to think like many Americans in regards to internet safety, that there could be someone lurking trying to trick young people into posting information about themselves.  While this is possible on the internet this is not very common.  “Predators” like the ones shown on to catch a predator, are not that common on the internet.  And even more reassuring is that most kids will ignore strange messages and look at them as if they are spam rather than posting or replying to them.  Kids are alot smarter then we give them credit for.  Part of this is attributed to things they learn from their parents as well as things they learn in school; however, because of the possibility of internet predators as well as other dangers, we should not stop there.  One thing that kids might not thinks as dangerous is putting up certain pictures of themselves on their webpages.  Cause after all, once you post something, it almost impossible to take it back.

7. What did you learn about assessing students’ learning?

Teachers should assess student learning on multiple levels.  The use of testing only does not test student understand completely.  Teachers can assess student understanding through writing, projects, as well as presentation; when used in conjunction with testing it can give teachers a well rounded look at an individuals understanding and will help to better evaluate students with test anxiety.

8. Why should we teach kids to be media literate?

If we do not teach students to be media literate, we are doing them a disservice.  Tomorrows jobs will be based off of problems that we do not exist today.  Why is this? Because technology is always changing and always evolving.  If we do not stir students interest in it now, how will they ever keep up?  Also students need to be media literate in order to learn in most classrooms today.  Just like with language if people are illiterate they are missing out on learning opportunities.

9. What’s the most important thing you learned in this class?

I think one of the most important things I have learned in this class are to be open minded and to stay connected.  If we are open minded we can create new uses for technology as it comes out, and yes these uses can often be in the classroom.  And its important to stay connected because learning happens best as a collaborative process.

10. How can I improve this course?

My opinion is that the is really good as it is; however, there is alot of work involved in this class.   I suggest that some of the lesson plan assignments (which are pretty time consuming) should be combined which will still cover all the same aspects but decrease the amount of assignments.

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~ by slpugh on April 22, 2009.