Module+1+Reflection

How has your knowledge of technology standards changed after this module? Reflect on your own use of technology standards in your classroom and personal use.

** Description ** This reflection will focus on what I experienced and learned during Module 1 of our Introduction to Technology course. During this two week period, our cohort was given opportunities to try different technology tools and to review the technology standards for education. We also shared ideas and thoughts through discussion board as well as in our face to face meeting. I will explain how my knowledge has changed and how it applies to my teaching.

This module has allowed me to take a step into the 21st century, as I am beginning to become familiar with different technology tools available for teaching and learning. I chose instructional technology as my focus for graduate school because I found myself becoming intimidated by modern technology and the school district I teach in has not made new technology available for classroom use. This module has really motivated me to explore new technology and I am no longer as intimidated, as I am realizing that I am actually picking up on the skills needed to utilize different tools rather quickly. We were challenged during this module to use Voice Thread and to create our own Wiki Site. I had never even heard of Voice Thread, but I found it to be relatively easy to use and a great way to take online discussions to the next level. I had heard of wikis, but wasn't quite sure what they were or what they were used for. I have become very excited about using this tool during the course of our masters program as well as in the future for my own classroom. We also took a close look at the tecnology standards. I remember being aware that these standards had been created during my undergraduate work, but was never sure if these standards were meant for regular classroom teachers to apply. I honestly assumed these were meant mainly for technology teachers. I as well as many of my colleagues was also not aware that technology standards existed for teachers, administrators, and facilitators. I thought that like the other content areas, that these standards were only focused on benchmarks for students. I also learned that from an instructional design perspective, the type of technology should not be the focus or guide for planning instruction. In order to be the most effective, my planning needs to begin with identifying the educational gap or problem, and then after objectives have been carefully written, I should then select the media that is the most appropriate and that would best deliver the content.
 * Impact **

It is my intent to share what I have learned during this module with colleagues in my school district and to help move my school district into the 21st century. I look forward to finding ways to utilize both Voice Thread and Wiki Sites. I am currently working on a Wiki for my kindergarten classroom that will help provide information and resources for my students and their parents. I plan to become even more familiar with the technology standards and find ways to incorporate them into my planning. Unfortunately, I only have an old overhead projector and three old student computers available in my classroom, but I hope to encourage my school district to purchase a variety of technology equipment in the near future in order to meet the needs of teachers' different teaching styles and students' different learning styles.
 * Intent **