What are some things that you have learned about effective teaching strategies when integrating technology?
This course has definitely opened my eyes to how I can effectively integrate technology into my classroom teaching. I have always been hesitant to try to incorporate it, as I work with younger students and always felt there weren’t many technology tools that were appropriate for that level. Reading the course material, exploring different sites and working with classmates has truly given me a different mind-set. One of the most important lessons that I will take away from this class is my knowledge on UDL. I will now approach my lessons in a different manner. I will create instructional goals, methods, materials, and assessments that work for everyone. Children (especially in this generation) really connect with technology. It is something that they want to use and learn about. Students stay engaged in the lessons and have an easier way of expressing themselves when different technology options are available to them.
How did integrating web-based technologies help you think about and evaluate uses of technology?
Students are excited about technology! It is rare that you can gain everyone’s attention in a room…yet technology has enabled me to do this. Children want the opportunity to work with different web-based technologies and explore them. I think that the StAIR project will be one that they really connect with. Creating an interactive game (of sorts) for them to use will capture their attention. I am looking forward to seeing how the students react to it. This will help me when creating future StAIR projects down the line. I can visualize these being at a center during literacy time. I also think that the WebQuests are a great resource. It is one that has a lot to offer, yet needs to be closely critiqued to see if it is appropriate for the audience. I have seen some strong WebQuests out there; however, some sounds great in the beginning, but were not a good fit in the end. On the teacher side, web-based technologies have given me a different way to gather my students’ understanding of various topics. For example, using the survey feature in Google docs or clickers allows me to evaluate my students understanding of the material easier than going through each test page by page. The data is sorted through and organized properly for assessment purposes. How great is technology?!
How have you met your own personal goals for learning about technology integration?
One of my main goals was to feel more comfortable with using technology with my first graders. This class has introduced me to many different technology tools that I will be able to implement in my classroom (StAIR, WebQuests, Merlot, Webpages). I definitely had doubts when it came to teaching and incorporating technology for such a young group of students. I truly feel I have grown as an educator in this aspect. I now feel confident to teach with these tools. Another important part of this class for me was learning about UDL. Students bring a huge variety of skills, needs, and interests to learning. It is amazing how technology can help in a student’s ability to perform tasks and understand information.
Do you have any new goals? What are your plans for reaching your new goals and your long-term goals after this course is over?
One of my new goals is to take a look back at the different lessons I have taught and created for my students. My nervousness and apprehension about using technology in the classroom is slowly going away, so I would like to incorporate meaningful technology into my teaching. This will be beneficial for both the students and I. I will become more comfortable with teaching with technology, and the students will absolutely love being able to explore the different tools. Another goal is to continue my education to attain my endorsement and hopefully my Master’s in Ed Tech. This is an on-going goal and I will continue! In addition, I love that I had the opportunity to work with others from this class. I look forward to continuing to grow my PLN and learn more about incorporating technology in the classroom as it advances.
