EDLD+5364+Teaching+with+Technology

 **__EDLD 5364 Teaching with Technology Reflections__

Week 1 This week I did not get a chance to participate in the optional web conference, however I have participated several times before. One of the things I have found quite interesting in this week's lesson was the Youtube video //Cyborg Life//. The idea that science fiction is becoming a reality and we can really use technology to enhace human knowledge. The last question on the Progress Monitor I thought could have also been answer choice A (content is secure). The articles gave very interesting examples of how techology impacts learning and examples of how to use technology in learning. I was surprised by the number of math examples.**

According to Schacter, "Students who design fraction software for other students using Logo learned fractions better than students taught fractions using conventional methods." (p.9) I was really excited to read this article. I have been interested in knowing what research has to say about the impact of technology in a math classroom and is there any difference compared to traditional style teaching methods. I am now interested in reading the entire article by Idit Harel to see the specifics of what she did. The saying "whatever it takes" is very true here because the ultimate goal is to do whatever it takes to help students learn and be successful. In //Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works//, Pitler gives examples of various technolgy methods to plan and set goals for learning. Organization is very important in integrating technology.**
 * Week 2

__Week 3__ This week the //Web 2.0// book gave me some insight into where other schools are going with implementing technology. There were examples of actual tools ( blogs, wikis, podcasting, and flickr) that could be used to integrate technology into the classroom. I also found a powerpoint collection website that seems to be very helpful in my math classroom. "Administrators prepare teachers for new models of learning by offering more than 120 hours of curriculum-based professional development to implement technology in their classroom; they work with 20% of the teachers each year on a five-year rotation cycle." Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). //Web 2.0: New tools.// Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education, 80. Administrators guide professional development and are required to implement more technology, however there has to be training in best practices for implementation. It doesn't make since to give out laptops and projectors and not receive the proper training for making these tools effective in the classroom. I would love extra training that allows me to both learn something new while integrating technology. Collaboration between administrators and teachers in planning how technology is being developed in the classroom could help both parties see what works best. The bookbuilder website was interesting because it was creative and free. It is a resource that I could use as a math teacher or technology teacher.  __Week 4 Reflection__ The videos in this weeks lesson shared examples of technology being integrated into the curriculum. In the videos you could clearly see that students are learning in these environments, but implementing this learning style in a "high-stakes" classroom doesn't match the standards that teachers are judged by right now. The edutopia website has some good examples of how technology is being used now and will affect our future. "Calculators were viewed as a crutch. But, today, in advanced mathematical disciplines teachers commonly allow calculator use during exams." (Rose p.) [] Most high schools require the use a calculators in math classr0oms everyday. Technology is changing state curriculum to universal curriculum.

__Week 5 Reflection__ I was excited to hear the videos in this week’s lesson. They gave me hope to the future, but I could not agree with more about the requirements we are faced with right now. The students will fail the grade if they do not pass the standardized test. Do I agree with this? No. It is definitely a challenge to make learning fun, incorporate technology, meet skill, and drill standards. Microsoft Excel is a very good tool, but the way we use it at my school is a two-day lesson just to meet the requirements of the state. The more we integrate technology the more we need access to the tools to use them more frequently. "However, it makes much more sense to have ongoing assessment-the way evaluators do that is known as "formative evaluation." All this means is that we don't wait until the "unit" is over to determine how well the students and we as educators are doing!" Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). // Web 2.0: New tools, new schools //. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education, p. 168. I give a "Friday Test" every Friday. My student's expect it and look forward to their results; however, they are standardized paper and scantron tests. Recently, I have tried to change it up a little by bringing in hands-on items that bring the problems to life. I incorporate problems that require students to go to a textbook-based interactive lesson that requires them to do something like a scale drawing of a park. I strive to improve my teaching style to accommodate the diverse learners that I teach and make learning interesting for them and me.

1. What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned? I envisioned learning ways to incorporate technology into my math classroom like using a digital camera or projector. I expected this course to give me access to 21st century schools that are using technology in the classroom in innovative ways that improve learning. This course has exposed me to various websites and educators that envision what the future of education will need. These experiences have forced me to see what I need to do as an educator to help students compete on a global scale. The actual course outcomes immersed me in full collaboration with my peers. I have been able to not only read, but also do collaborative work. This course surprisingly gave me a hands-on approach to learning the same way I would want my students to feel about learning. The actual course outcomes did more than I expected and I have earned a new respect for integrating technology into the classroom.
 * __Final Assessment: Course Reflection Responses__ **

2. To the extent that you achieved the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not? Collaboration is very important among teachers on the same team at my school. I think that wiki pages and Google docs are great ways for us to collaborate without having to set specific times to meet. I think that my team could create our own Google site for our team because much of what we do we try to do together. We have the same classroom rules, procedures for discipline, and use of websites. We could collaborate changes in a Google document and incorporate them on our site. It could also reduce the amount of paper we use when documenting parent contact. The only problem is access from school, Google docs is blocked. The district would have to allow us access to these tools at school. I could create a blog for my class’s to use for problem solving throughout the year. It will also be a good way to reflect on learning outcomes throughout the year.

3. What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them? The group project did not allow me to focus more on my specific subject area. I was still able to create a math lesson for the individual UDL lesson template. Increasing technology through math and meeting the standards of formal assessments can be challenging. We could have been grouped by subject area currently taught. I was able to explore the learning theories and collaborate with other educators, create a shared document, explore student-centered learning activities for diverse learners, and the CAST. All of the outcomes were attainable. I do not see any of the outcomes not being able to accomplish. In the future, I will work harder to put more emphasis toward making everything relate to math. The book builder was an opportunity for me to create a story or information book on a subject that relates to math, but with the time given for the submission of the assignment, I did something easier.

4. Were you successful in completing the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you? I have been able to complete all the assignments. I really like the way this course covers a lot of material on-going pace. The flow keeps my interest and motivation to see what will be next. The discussions gave me the opportunity to see the different perspectives from various subject areas. I completed the weekly collaborations and to my surprise, everything was much more successful than I had anticipated. By collaborating with teachers in different areas of expertise from schools and districts throughout Texas is a powerful collaboration. The progress monitors help guide what I am learning for the week. I was able to complete all progress monitors in a timely fashion. There was enough time to complete all the readings, and both authors had some great refrences to see how technology is working in classrooms. I really enjoyed the incorporated videos. I definitely need to do the same in the classes I teach.

5. What did you learn from this course: about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes? I have learned that there will always be deadlines. It is important for me to pace myself and establish a schedule for completing all assignments in a timely manner. I have learned that I can become a technology leader in my school. I have learned how collaboration can work and be effective. I have the ability to lead and guide people for the benefit of the group. A positive attitude is good attribute in leadership. It helps everyone feel that they have voice. These experiences have forced me to see what I need to do as an educator to help students compete on a global scale. Collaboration is a good tool when it used to for the benefit of everyone in the organization. I was pleased to see my since of confidence in what I could accomplish. I have learned that I am becoming a more educated thinker in how technology is incorporated in the classroom thus making me a better technology leader.

Group Google Website: []

Works Cited Howard Pitler, E. R. (2007). //Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that works.// Alexandria: ASCD.

Schrum, G. S. (2007). //Web 2.0: new tools, new schools.// Washington: International Society for Technology in Education.