Course Reflection

Technology in education is ever growing, changing and developing. It encourages administration, teachers, and students to push their understanding of the content and curriculum in new ways. Through this class I experienced how technology could be used to its fullest to influence the education system and help guide students to becoming 21st century citizens.

Through this class I learned how the growth of technology beings a number of new enriching changes to the classroom, however there was one big take away found through this course for me; technology=greater engagement. I can not be the only teacher in the world who struggles with getting her students to want to be involved with their learning. I love what I teach but I have always struggled at finding a way for pre-teens to love it as much as I do. I want them to WANT to learn and find motivation through developing their understanding of new things. Through the research done within the mini-projects and the activities I have participated with this class I learned one simple truth, technology enhances a lesson and creates greater engagement. When tech is involved students want to participate. I have always known that technology excites my students especially when I see the pure joy and excitement on their faces when they walk into our classroom and see the iPad cart awaiting them. But I never really knew how to use this technology to advance the lesson, it was always used in small easy ways to further research or essay writing. Yet now with completing this class I feel that I finally understand the educational technological tools I am able to use in the classroom effectively to create engagement and a robust lesson.

One area I plan on using in the future is collaborative project based learning. I found that through researching different global collaboration programs I feel in love with the idea of participating. Education is more then helping students learn their times tables or remember the amendments, I believe that at its core educations role is to inspire students and help create level minded, kind, educated, understanding adults. To do this I think global collaboration is key. Using Skype for education or iEarn students and teachers can learn from different cultures and experience education in a whole new way. It is something I am truly excited for in the upcoming year to try with my 5th graders.

Overall this course was challenging and inspiring. I enjoyed learning about ways to increase engagement in my classroom and how to open my students up to new ideas through technology.