As I reflect upon what I have learned in this graduate
course, I am astounded by how much technology impacts education, work, and
society. This course really got me to
thinking. I now see technology in a
whole new way. I understand that
integrating technology in education is important and that it leads to
productive and successful citizens in the workplace.
Blogs,
wikis, and podcasts were introduced to me during this course. Though I had heard about these means of
communication, I never thought to combine these with my lesson planning. As a professional teacher, I began thinking
about designing lessons that incorporate the use of blogs, wikis, and podcasts
into my math curriculum. As a student in
this course, I was able to create and contribute to these collaborative forms
of technology while gaining hands-on learning experience. I was able realize the significance and
purpose of each new technology which ultimately lead to designing
student-centered math lessons including blogs and wikis.
I have
always known how effective the physical collaborative groups can be in the
classroom. However, throughout this
graduate course, I learned that collaboration via the online setting can be
just as effective – and even more so than within the four walls of the
classroom. I have deepened my knowledge
of the teaching and learning process by expanding collaboration and
communication among students to outside of the classroom. By doing so, students are gaining 21st-centuty
skills that are preparing them for the workplace.
While I
tend to be the giver of information in my math class, this course has
encouraged me to change my perspective from that of teacher-centered to
learner-centered. It is necessary to incorporate
a constructivist approach to learning algebra so that students may construct
their own meaning and develop a deeper understanding of the applications. Now, the world of information is at the
students’ fingertips, not just standing before them in front of the
classroom. In math, word problems can
come to life. Students may research
meaning behind parts of the problem they are unsure of. Students can access real time and current
information too. Students can work
collaboratively on a performance task, such as an exemplar, through a blog or a
wiki. Then, students can discuss the
solution on a podcast. Students are more
engaged in this type of environment as opposed to a teacher-centered classroom.
In order to
expand the knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology with
the aim of increasing student achievement, I plan to stay abreast of the
current and upcoming technologies and research ways to integrate these
technologies into my own classroom and curriculum. I plan to continue and complete this graduate
degree so that I may learn more about integrating technology into
education. I would like to share my
knowledge and experiences with my students as well as with fellow
colleagues. I would like to encourage
professional learning at my school to include topics about technology and
student achievement.
In order to
transform my classroom environment, I have set two goals. My first goal is to write a grant to obtain 6
classroom laptop computers. Though every student may not have access to their
own individual computer during class, I believe that each physical
collaborative group within my classroom should have access to the internet. I will pursue the goal of obtaining 6 laptop
computers by writing a grant to IBM. My
second goal is to establish a student-centered classroom that includes the
integration of technology. My goal is to
establish a learning environment for my students to work together both inside
and outside of the classroom.
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