Edu 610: A Reflective Piece

My last assignment for EDU 610 is to tell what I have learned in this class that will make me a more effective teacher, if I will make a conscious effort to integrate technology into my classroom and if I feel technology is important.

First of all, I was extremely excited about taking this course because I am-scratch that-was not the most computer savvy person around. I have since created and uploaded videos, adding sound and special effects, worked on a Smartboard, created a Smartboard presentation with interactive elements, and posted my own e-portfolio web page- all for the first time. The information I have received and the hands-on activities and projects assigned may have been second nature to many students in the class, but for me it was truly a rebirth into the new land of the Net generation. I may not be as fast at texting, but I now know my way around many innovative tools that will surely make me a better teacher. I waited to go back to school until my children were older and I am so happy that I did. Had I started earlier, I feel I would have

kind of missed the Smartboard wave that has really taken over in many school districts. I would have had to learn it second hand through a trainer - and while that is very important, I probably would not have received the intense attention to detail that was given to us in class. I hope to be using all the information handed to us in this class to make learning, and teaching more fun and motivating for everyone, despite diversity in the classroom.

I will absolutely make a conscious effort to use any and all technology available to me. Before taking this class, I was inspired by 3rd graders whose eyes "lit up" when I took them to a computer to show them real pictures of a submarine they had just read about in their Reading books. Imagine how excited they would be to go on a virtual field trip to the moon, or be a pen pal to a student who lives half way around the world!

Technology is not only important, I believe it is essential! I feel if teachers do not use technology when it is available to them, they are cheating themselves and their students out of some wonderful opportunities for learning and growth. It may take extra time to research what is out there, but the time is worth the fun and excitement in teaching and seeing the motivation level rise in the classroom.

Before this class, I knew there were some cool activities and fun educational games on the internet, but I never realized the magnitude of all the tools (hardware and software) that are available now and are being developed to enhance the learning process. Thank you Michele!