EDLD+5364+Self+Reflection+-+End+of+Course

1. Critically reflect upon the knowledge you gained from the assignment.
=== These assignments allowed me to apply the techniques and tools that were discussed in the readings, videos, web conferences, and through my group collaboration. Learning from other educators assisted with the process of brainstorming, creating, and presenting the lessons. Being able to alter the assignments to use with various types of learners was also addressed. Ways to make sure the teacher understood the lesson as well as how to teach the material with the use of various kinds of technology was also discussed. Gee mentioned in his video to “model learning with teachers and students” so that students can witness teachers learning technology as I am learning how to use our new classroom iPad and computers (Gee, 2009, Big Thinkers: James Paul Gee on Grading with Games). (3 Points) ===

2. Critically reflect upon the relationship between any new information you gained from the assignment with old information you previously held to be true.
=== I know that students enjoy playing games in the classroom. Making sure the educational games and simulations are beneficial to the learning environment while keeping the learners motivated must be addressed when using this tool in the classroom. Being able to problem solve is necessary in life, so relevant games to the topic being covered is a must. “Failure is motivating” describes how students are pushed to win or succeed when using games to learn in the classroom (Gardner, 2009, Big Thinkers: Howard Gardner on Digital Youth). I have some very competitive students in class, and they enjoy winning. I know that administrators want our students to pass our classes and this is difficult if the student chooses not to work at all. Hopefully, this will be a tool to reach this type of student and achieve positive results. (2 Points) ===

3. How did the relationship between the old and new information you learned affect your personal experience with the assignment?
=== While I have seen some of this technology in previous classes and in my district training sessions, I have not seen the information that was presented through the videos in regards to the various types of simulations that can spark learning. For instance, “allowing students to learn by doing science” as if they “were actual scientists (Gee, 2009, Big Thinkers: James Paul Gee on Grading with Games). This is an exciting way to learn indeed. “Games are engaging students,” which is the manner that they seem to learn best with the large amount of technology that is now available for them to utilize. Students want to have fun and if they learn, that is a bonus with what these games have to offer today. (2 Points) Learn as a Learner ===

1. Critically reflect upon your approach and strategies used in completing the assignment.
=== My group used Google Docs to brainstorm, share, and organize our thoughts on this assignment. We also emailed along the way as well. Organizing our Google Doc and adding links, files, comments, and videos helped bring our lesson together. We were able to easily add and edit information as needed. I hope to use Google Docs more as I progress through this program as well as collaborating with educators and students. I was pleased to learn that we could choose the way we wanted to organize and create our lessons as this gave us the freedom to explore and try new technology tools.(3 Points) ===

2. Critically reflect upon how you learn as a learner and how you assess your own performance in completing the assignment(s).
=== I am definitely a visual learner. Having someone show me or walk me through the steps to create or operate a program is the most beneficial for me. I tend to write the steps down so that I won’t forget in the future. I was luck with my group leader, Becky. She showed me some cool tools and took the time to explain how to insert them into our Google Doc. I too was able to explain how to use certain programs, so we all benefited. If I can continue to use various resources such as other educators, books, videos, students, or tech support, I should be able to add to my technology knowledge easily. (2 Points) ===

3. How did your learning and interaction with colleagues (such as discussion forum, web conferences, wiki and blog participation, etc.) affect the results of your performance?
=== There was a wealth of information that was offered. The week 3 web conference was great in that the participants were able list in the chat area various ways to use technology. My group leader, Becky, was very helpful as well as she was able to offer suggestions to all of us through our Google Doc and Gmail accounts. Our group worked really well together as we all had a specific technology area that we were more comfortable with and we were able to share that expertise with the group. Becky even helped with the Voki.com animated site as well as using html code, this was really fun to me too. (2 Points) ===

1. Critically reflect upon what you gained about learning and how you learn that will impact your future learning.
=== I look forward to using more simulations and games in my classroom so that students can “become engaged in new tools, integrate, and solve problems” as well as find an interest to be even more successful in my class (Gardner, 2009, Big Thinkers: Howard Gardner on Digital Youth). I hope to continue to explore helpful websites, literature, and videos that offer further insight into what learners enjoy using in the classroom. As new tools are created, I hope to introduce them to my students like the Voki.com website that I was introduced to this week by a group member. I gave my students an explanation this week, actually, with a few examples from this website. I let them create animated items on their own as I walked around the room. There was laughter and learning as well as collaboration and excitement. This was a great day to be a teacher. (3 Points) ===

2. How will your past interactions and collaborations with colleagues impact your future learning experiences?
=== The group I was a part of was wonderful. We were all agreeable, which was helpful. We offered ideas and tools to use in our project. I know it is important to listen and allow others to have input. We were able to incorporate most of our ideas in one form or another. Using Google Docs, Gmail, and Google Apps as tools especially helped us brainstorm, organize, and share ideas (Solomon, 2007, pp. 62). The majority of my group members live over 4 hours away from me, and it didn’t matter. We were able to communicate as though we were in the same building, how exciting and efficient is that? I was very lucky to have a wonderful leader named Becky, and a team that didn’t have a disagreement. Knowing that we are working educators with families, we were able to contribute at various times of the day and week, while coming together in the end with a great plan. (2 Points) ===

3. As a lifelong learner, what questions or issues challenge you and are worthy of future research or investigation?
=== At the high school level I feel that being able to allow learners to use all the tools available to them is a large problem. For instance, there are fire walls that prevent these students from accessing various websites, but this can be both a good and a bad item. While some students are mature and responsible, there are quite a few that aren’t and can’t limit their searches to what is required. We have a no cell phone policy in my district, which can be contradictory in that many students have iPhones and there are so many ways to use technology with an iPhone. Consequences that prevent negative behavior are a must, but it is not always attainable, sadly. So, I must teach with the tools that I am allowed to use while ensuring the safety and reasonable use by my students. ===