Final Reflections and Thoughts....Week 9

My how time flies...

Objectives...

After many weeks of trying out new tools, I can say for sure that I have achieved all of the objectives set forth in the syllabus.  I learned ways to promote student reflection using collaborative tools.  I experimented with tools such as blogger.com, and created a living memory of the learning process.  Most importantly though, I learned that the tool that is not what is most important.  How you use it is clearly the most important aspect.

It's not really the tools, it is how you use them...

I demonstrated understanding of safe, ethical, legal and moral practices related to digital information
and technology.  This objective was always particularly important to me as an artist.  It is important to give credit when credit is due. While many of us find this challenge to be frustrating, it can actually be an excellent exercise in creativity.  Take for example my Animoto creation.  To be a good digital citizen and help focus my own creation, I limited myself.  All of my photos came either from Animoto or Morguefile, nowhere else.  This was a particularly interesting exercise and it reminded me of an important lesson I learned a long time ago.  We all need constraints.  By limiting the pool from which we draw from, we can help focus our work and create a more coherent piece.

Lastly, I demonstrated an understanding of the use of assistive and adaptive technologies and other digital resources to personalize and differentiate learning activities.  This was most apparent in my reflection of my tech interview.  Using data and data patterns to help differentiate learning activities is often overlooked.  I guess its not as cool as the latest apps or websites.  Or maybe some teachers can be reluctant because they must step out of their comfort zone.  However, it clearly does have a tremendous positive effect on today's classroom when a teacher takes on the role of researcher.

Why is it important to integrate technology into lessons?  Is it?

There are many reasons to integrate technology.  There are also many reasons to make sure it is integrated well.  However, I would like to focus on one particular aspect of why it might be a good idea.  Students use technology at home all the time.  They use it alone, with their family, and with their friends.  But in each of these situations, students rarely are having discussions about digital citizenship, authentic sources, or ergonomics.  We have an opportunity to teach them about all of these things and connect them to other subjects in the process.

                                      Do you know how you sit at your computer?
                                                                                       

What are barriers to technology?

Research, research, research!  I had such a difficult time finding quality research concerning technology in the classroom.  Of course this makes sense.  The Internet has not been around that long and technology integration in the classroom is in its infancy. However, we definitely need more research to help us understand what is truly happening when technology is utilized in the classroom.  How do we truly know a technology is more effective than another tool (that doesn't cost as much)?

Web 2.0 tools

In particular, I loved Storybird.  I know that some people see it as a drawback that you cannot search for particular pictures.  They see it as too limiting.  However, I feel that this can be an excellent exercise in creativity.  I guess this goes back to what I was saying about the approach I used with Animoto.  Sometimes we need to give ourselves limitations to be creative.  If we have too many options, it can be too overwhelming.

How have you begun to create your PLN?

My PLN is in its infancy.  I must admit that I am just getting comfortable with being on the Internet so much.  There was one particular tool though that I loved: Diigo.  To give you a little personal background, I must admit I am an NPR addict.  And yes, I am not afraid to admit.  I love learning about new things.  I love thinking about things that I hadn't thought about before.  And now I have a tool to help organize all of the things I heard about or saw and want to read later.  And to top it all off, just when you thought it couldn't get any better, you can become part of someone else's PLN and access other people's bookmarks.  Of course, this goes completely against my philosophy of limiting, but I guess I am OK with that.

Of all types of communication and networking, I still prefer face-to-face.  I guess you could call me old fashioned.  The good news is that I have started to create a PLN in my hometown.  I have become good friends with a veteran teacher and she has begun to introduce me to many other teachers in the area as well.  It really is true, a thousand mile journey begins with a single step.