EDLD5364+final+assessment

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? My goals for this course were to learn how to integrate technology into the classroom. I also expected to become familiar with my teammates, and learn how to work collaboratively to solve a problem. I was able to achieve these things and more. During this course, I learned that the integration of technology can actually help me to satisfy the growing demands placed upon educators today. I also have new insight into how kids learn. They demand digital content that is both challenging and on-demand. They also require immediate feedback in order to to keep motivation high. The coursework was intensive, and a bit overwhelming a times. Our timeframe for completion of this course was neither too long or too short. At first, when I looked through all of the assignments, I did not think I would be able to absorb all of the information in such a short time. After competing most of the coursework, I feel that I was able to absorb the majority of the coursework, and I feel that I have the tools necessary to integrate technology into my classroom on a consistant basis. 2. To the extent that you achived the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not? The concepts that I learned in this class are absolutely relevant to what I do at my school. Further more, I would consider my learning to be a the forefront of education. This is very exciting to be on the cutting edge. There is no question that technology will revolutionize education. I have learned how to help my school adapt to these changes that are taking place. I learned that in order for technology integration to be successful, it takes more than just software and equipment. If teachers are not equipped with knowledge about how digital natives learn, then no amount of hardware or software will result in student success. Furthermore, I am now comfortable with web 2.0 tools such as blogs and wikis. These tools break down the barriers that prohibit real time collaboration with colleagues and administrators. This type of collaboration is vital for a school to be successful. 3. What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them? So far, I have been unable to demonstrate what I have learned in the classroom. I think that I will be able to achieve this over time, but I am frustrated that my districts lack of technology prevents me from experimenting with most of the technology that I have learned about in this class. I do believe that my district will eventually equip their teachers with the technology necessary to truly reach all children. As a technology leader, it will be my job to help facilitate that shift. We will need support from our community, from our administrators, and from teachers who are willing to step out of their comfort zone and learn about new technologies. I also have not tried to to incorporate a UDL lesson plan into my lessons at school. This is partly because I don’t feel I have to tools necessary to complete a UDL lesson. The other part is fear and laziness. The UDL lesson plan is very involved and labor intensive. I am also a little fearful that the return will not justify the investment of time. 4. Were you successful in completing the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you? I was successful in completing all of the assignments. I had a few problems along the way, but they were mainly due to my over-thinking, and not reading through the directions completlly. During the third week, I failed to share my google doc page with my coach. It was shocking to see my class score drop to a 33%. I panicked, but then realized that it was an easy fix. I am lucky to have a responsible, and intelligent group of people on my team for this class. We worked well together, and we were able to make it through the intensive coursework by leaning on each other for guideance and support. I think that group work is a good thing. It can be stressful at times. When you are relying on others to reach a goal, you have to have faith that they will do thei part. Also, collaboration can be frustrating at times, but web 2.0 tools such as google docs makes it much easier and less stressful. 5. What did you learn from this course: about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes? I learned that I am capable of so much more as a teacher. For the past few years, I have been stuck in a cycle of excuses and negative thinking. If the kids do poorly on a test, it is the parents, the district, or the administrators fault- no mine. I felt like I am dong everything I can for my students, and no one should aske more. I’m not saying that I don’t still feel that way sometimes. The difference is that now I know what it takes to reach my digital natives. I still don’t possess all to the tools I need to accomplish this, but I have a vision of the kind of teacher I would like to be. My attitude about school is definitely betther than it has been. I know that if I can apply the things that I have learned, and help my colleagues do the same, then we will have success at my school.