Part 1
I have learned so many great things in this class as the focus has been using technology in the classroom and that was one of the main goals I had when I enrolled in this program. There are definitely some things that I have already been doing (pats self on back) but a number of new concepts I was able to take and use in my classroom - creating digital books, cross-content integration, etc. This class has given me pedagogical reasoning for many of the things I have done to integrate technology into my classroom.
I saw many of the AECT standards being met while working on the various assignments over this course. We pursued research on a weekly basis with a focus on content knowledge and pedagogy. We also learned how to differentiate using technology in the classroom - this was a very valuable section of the class for me. In addition, we met the standard for evaluating technology for classroom use.
Looking back on where I was when I started my journey at BSU, I was a classroom teacher who was interested in making my interest in technology something that could improve my classroom. Over the course of the last two years, I have grown in proficiency and confidence in that area. In this class specifically, I felt more confident about the technology I was trying out in my room as we read about the various ways would could integrate. I also grew in my confidence in sharing these ideas with my colleagues at work. I've learned a number of great skills and this class have really helped me nail down some ideas I've wanted to try in my language arts classroom.
I think the biggest impact this class has had on my teaching thoughts and practice is, that it has increased my confidence in trying things in my classroom. Prior to this course, I would try things here and there without really having a plan in place. Now, I have a plan for how and when certain tools will be used and a lot more confidence in using them with my students. This course has also helped me to reflect on how I evaluate the technology I use to determine if it is worthwhile or if I need to find another resource to use.
As I mentioned previously, I feel like my evaluation of the technology I'm using is more complete and has more "bite" to it. Determining if a tool I'm using provides an improvement (RA) over what I was already doing is always in play when I'm looking at a tool or application. I also think more about who will be using it and if it makes sense to incorporate it. Theory was in practice in all components that I created for this course.
Part 2
Self-grading always weirds me out...here we go.
Content - I would rate myself between proficient and outstanding in this area. I think my posts were generally thoughtful, included insight, and were a synthesis of what I learned. I tend to write about my real-life experiences a lot as there is no better way to connect to what you are learning. (65)
Readings and Resources - I used the readings and other appropriate content to support my blog posts and I used APA style to cite. (20)
Timeliness - I believe most of my posts were made on Friday/Saturday in this class which should have given time for classmates to respond. (20)
Responses to Other Students - I responded to at least two blog posts every week - at first I was doing more than two but as I got busier through the school year and in my other BSU classes I just made sure to give two responses. My responses were generally thoughtful and focused on the information posted by the blogger. (30)
