From the pre-assessment, I envisioned that I would learn several technology tools to promote in an academic setting. I hoped to become more technologically literate. I wanted to apply these tools in the most innovative and current way possible. I learned how to create a weblog, wiki, RSS feeder, word cloud (wordle), and movie trailer (animoto). I read several provocative articles that guided me to apply these tools in ways to engage learning. I am so pleased with how this course elevated my technological proficiency and opened my eyes to the digital gap between a generation of teachers and a generation of students. I plan to use blogs to improve literary skills and a wiki to engage students in group/club projects. Teachers can monitor blogs with RSS feeders. Word clouds can decorate classrooms and animoto can be the new choice of presentation tools.
As an educator, all the tools that I learned and all the articles that I read were very relevant to my line of work. This course introduced me to Marc Prensky who revealed to me the digital demands of the 21st century classroom and students. One of the greatest challenges of my profession is making learning fun for the students. Blogs can encourage students to read summaries that they would not normally read because it is of their peers and their comments may influence the works that they read. Teachers can subscribe to their students’ blogs to effortlessly keep tabs on their progress. Group projects are an excellent example of collaborative learning that engages student learners. Wikis can encourage more group projects because the group members do not have to meet in person to organize their project. A teacher can see on the wiki who was responsible for what page.
I think the pre-assessment highlighted my lack of knowledge of web tools. At that time, I was really motivated to self teach myself some technology tools to build my resume. Unfortunately, I was a bit overwhelmed with the assignments that I already had for the course. I was able to carry out the course assignments but it was a bit of a struggle for me. This course was very humbling for me because I could relate more to my students when I was learning technology tools. The topic was foreign and intimidating to me. YouTube was very helpful that further demonstrated the importance of acknowledging visual learners. I understand on even a greater scale why students shut down when we try to teach foreign concepts with chalk and a chalkboard. Research and summarizing was a breeze, when it came to technological applications it took more time. I guess this was because I really wanted to understand the concepts since I will have to teach them to others. Even though my projects were for a grade, I did not rush the assignments because I want to effectively teach the tools. The time I took to really grasp these technological concepts is what I struggled over during the course and is what held me back from learning additional web tools.
I rejected technology years ago when there was the Y2K scare and a computer crashed on me while I was typing a 15 page paper (I lost everything!!!). I argued that we were losing one-on-one personal interaction with smart phones at dinner tables and video games raising children. What I learned from the course is that technology, when used in moderation, is a very beneficial thing. I am from the analog world and I had to understand that the mind of the digital world does not function like mine. Throughout the course, I decided to look at my lack of knowledge of technology tools as a potential motivator for the educators that I will assist. I think the empathy that I would have for the analog educators will make me a good leader. I have learned that a good technology leader supports and develops his/her staff. My attitude towards reaching American youth has become more optimistic because I now know how to speak their language.
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