This class has taught me many things this semester. Before
taking this class, I had a basic understanding of what a technology integration
specialist was. By taking this class, it has expanded my depth of knowledge
about technology integration specialists and, as a result, I have a more
Technology integration specialists are vital to a student’s education in this day and age. In order for students to be ready for the 21st century jobs that awaits them, they need to have
the knowledge and skills how to use these tools productively.
The first area
that this class has helped to develop a more complete understanding concerns
collaboration. This is not only collaborating with other colleagues within your
school, but outside as well. I feel more confident working with teachers of all
ability levels and believe I know how to better assist them into integrating
technology into their own instruction.
I now have a personal learning network through Twitter and monitor RSS
feeds through Feedly. This will help me to not only share my own ideas with
other educators, but to also keep abreast of the latest technological trends,
methods, and tools when come available. This is extremely important, as the
rate that technology evolves and changes is much faster than traditional
curricula.
Because of this class have been able to add tools which were
previously unknown me into my toolbox.
An example of this is my PLN as stated earlier. I am also become
familiar with tools such as Google Forms, Diigo, VoiceThread, PBWorks, and many
others. I have already incorporated into many of my lessons or my own
professional learning. I also enjoy the fact that this class used “real” tools
in the form of blogs and wikis, rather than just relying on Blackboard like all
my previous classes have. By using these tools I’m more familiar with them and
able to help other teachers and students use them productively.
I believe that this class has been very beneficial to me.
The learning about collaboration, various tools, the field experience
given me confidence that I could be an effective technology integration
specialist, and effectively, help hundreds of teachers and students
successfully use technology for more than just a glorified typewriter or
presentation tool.
Harry, You are absolutely right about being able to keep abreast of the latest trends, methods and tools. It's so much more than just the tools.
ReplyDelete"The first area that this class has helped to develop a more complete understanding concerns collaboration. " Glad that this has helped you to gain a grasp on the latest and greatest trends in education and technology. Collaboration not only with your school teachers, but with others from all over the world is what makes using the technology so amazing. You are in charge of your own professional development and learning. That is what we educators strive for! We are life long learners. I am so glad you enjoyed using and participating in the real versions of all of the tools, because they are the ones you can begin implementing directly into your classroom practice. It is not easy to try to figure out the blackboard wiki's or other forms of tools, even though I understand their purpose, but it is so much nicer to use the ones that you would use with students and practice with them throughout a class. Keep sharing what you learn with others and keep pressing forward with your administration to have those small bumps in the road smoothed over like you opening up the .jar files. Great work there and keep having those conversations. Show them the engagement and learning that can happen if you can use the technology for good not evil! :)
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