EDLD+5364+Course+Embedded+Reflection

Course Embedded Reflection: EDLD 5364 Teaching with Technology  Teaching with Technology is the reason I decided to enroll in graduate school. I was very excited to finally, (course 11) reach Teaching with Technology. I enjoyed working with the scenario for our cooperative group project. It provided me the opportunity to apply my prior knowledge and new learning to many of the technology facilitator indicators through an authentic project. Authentic project-based learning provides the learner, teachers or students, with a deeper understanding of the lessons objectives. It requires the learner to problem solve by analyzing, evaluating and creating. Through the scenario I was able to use my new learning and Web 2.0 tools to create a UDL lesson and ebook that accommodates all students. I was able to accomplish this by using a variety of media to stimulate interest and motive learning, present information and content, and differentiate ways that students express what they have learned (CAST.org). For all students to have an equal opportunity to learn, teachers must include multiple ways to provide representation, student expression, and engagement. In my past experience as a teacher, I had differentiated my lessons for GT, level, and low-level learners. This scenario has provided me with many resources especially regarding adaptive and assistive technologies. I have had limited experience in this area and working with my group I was exposed to many new ideas to support these student groups.

During the scenario, our group collaborated by using Google docs, [|todaysmeet.com], Google sites, and email. Through these tools, as a group, decisions were made, tasks were assigned, and timelines determined. Personally, my favorite way to communicate with my group was through [|todaysmeet.com]. I liked that it was in real time, we could discuss continuously, and we could refer back to the dialogue as it was saved for the duration of the course. The success of our group project did require us to utilize all of the communication tools listed above. Google docs is a great tool and one that I intend on training my teachers on this summer. I am a visual learner and using these tools to communicate and collaborate addressed my needs throughout the scenario.

Teachers and technology facilitators attend workshops that provide professional growth, but it is often “just in case training rather than just in time training, which provides educators with information they need just as they need it” (Solomon & Schrum, 2007). As a life-long learner, it is imperative to remember that attending professional development is not enough. I must reflect on what I learned, how I can use the new knowledge, and what I still need to learn on the subject. Effort also plays an important role in continued learning and is directly tied to self-reflection. “The instructional strategy of reinforcing effort enhances students’ understanding of the relationship between effort and achievement by addressing their attitudes and beliefs about learning (Pitler, 2007). Keeping track of effort and achievement will show the parallel between the two. This is an important piece, not just for students, but for teachers as well. Technology isn’t going to magically be integrated into content areas merely because you attend a technology workshop. It does require effort to learn the new technology and to understand how it can improve on the learning goals that are currently being taught.

If I had to summarize the entire course or our group work on the scenario, I would choose the following quote from Web 2.0 new tools, new schools: “If educators work together to plan their instruction and simultaneously plan ways to evaluate throughout the unit, they will develop a wide variety of interesting models” (Solomon and Schrum, 2007). After reading through the scenario a number of times, I couldn’t get past the thought that I had very little experience with assistive or adaptive technology equipment and minimal experience with special education. After working together with my team, I have a new understanding of these topics and have collaboratively worked through planning a unit of instruction that will meet the needs of all students. This quote will help me to remember that we are not out there alone; we need to work as a team to educate our students and to rely upon one and other in the process.

__References__

Cast.org (2009). // What is universal design for learning? // Center for Applied Special Technology. Retrieved on March 26, 2011, from []

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). //Using technology with classroom instruction that works.// Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). //Web 2.0: New tools, New schools.// Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.