Reflections

            The recent course that I have been privileged to take part in has helped me develop my technology skills in so many ways. For instance, I had never really considered creating and using a blog in my classroom but was afforded the opportunity to begin this thanks to this current course. I also was unfamiliar with what a wiki is and what they are used for. Thankfully, being required to begin one with my colleagues helped me dive in and begin to understand how I could incorporate this type of resource in my classroom with my students.

            Through time spent exploring course readings and recordings, I have learned a great deal about the teaching and learning process. One example I can give is the information I was afforded on 21^st Century skills. It makes sense that these skills were developed to produce students who are ready for the world they will enter as soon as they graduate from high school. Ultimately, isn’t that our goal? Not only do students need to have the knowledge of math skills and their country’s history, they also need to be able to problem solve as well as collaborate and communicate with their peers. Keeping this in mind, I feel that this is one example of how my perspective has changed from teacher-centered to learner-centered. While I still make it my goal to work smarter, not harder so that I can accomplish much in the sometimes overwhelming world of teaching, it was beneficial for me to have a reminder of things to keep in mind so that I can help develop citizens who are as prepared as possible for what lies ahead of them.

            With all of the resources that this course has afforded me, I believe that I have just scratched the surface of using new technologies to help enhance the learning experiences of my students. I plan to continue to explore this further not only through continuing graduate studies but also by collaborating with my peers who can share their knowledge and experience in this area. In the future, next school year, I would like to incorporate my blog in my classroom to use to display student work and facilitate discussions. I would also like to develop a wiki, initially to share with my fourth grade teaching colleagues and then branch out to other fourth grade teachers in my district as a way to share resources and ideas. All in all, I feel that this course was very valuable for me in my endeavors as a teacher who hopes to incorporate technology in the classroom.