Module+4+Reflection

Reflect on your thinking surrounding your developing a philosophy of Instructional Technology use for learning and your understanding of 21st Century Teaching and Learning.

** Description ** This reflection will focus on what I experienced and learned during Module 4 of our Introduction to Technology course. During this week, our cohort was given opportunities to consider how we felt technology should fit into the classroom as part of learning in the 21st century. Our assigned readings also helped us to better understand the changes that have occured in the 21st century and what it might take for educators to keep up with these changes as well as how these changes have affected our students' learning styles and interests. We also shared ideas and thoughts through discussion board in response to our readings, expressing what we felt were the most important elements within 21st century skills, our view of technology's role in the 21st century, and how we ourselves are helping students obtain 21st century skills.

** Impact ** This module has allowed me to take a closer look at the changes occuring in our society and how this has impacted what learning should and could look like in the 21st century. According to our text, "recent studies portray the current K-12 student as increasingly immersed in media-rich environments beyond the school day" and "data suggests that today's students not only desire but need engaging, media-rich learning experiences to maximize their learning potential." This module inspired me to begin conversation with my students about what they do in their free time at home. In support of what I learned in this module, most of my student responses (especially my male students) included video games, watching TV, and playing on the computer. I also asked my students what their favorite games were. When I hear the word games, board games come to mind, but I soon realized that this younger generation of students think differently. Most of my students answered my question by naming their favorite video games. I think only 4 out of my 21 students thought of a board game or something different such as hide-and-seek! This module has also encouraged me to reflect on my own practices in order to ensure that I am doing my best to help students obtain 21st century skills. I now realize that not only have the teaching tools and resources availiable changed from when I was a young student, but so have the students' learning styles and interests. I have always taken pride in my effort to teach to a variety of learning styles such as auditory, visual, kinesthetic, tactile, etc. However, this module has helped me realize that I need to consider technology as one of these learning styles when planning my lessons. This week's reading has also helped me realize that the technology standards for students have been created to support existing benchmarks and goals within our curriculum. For example, creativity and innovation (one of the NETS for students) is also crucial for students in the area of writing, so as students strengthen this skill using technology, they will also strengthen their ability to think independently when creating ideas for writing, etc.

** Intent ** It is my intent to make more effort to learn the latest technology trends so that my young kindergarten students do not view their learning experiences as outdated or boring! I want to incorporate more technology into my teaching practices, especially the tools that seem to motivate and excite my students the most. I also intend to consider how I can address both technology standards for students as well as other curriculum goal simultaneously through my instruction. The district in which I teach has not made much technology available, so I also plan to continue encouraging my adminstrator to help our district make steps toward the 21st century as well as look for other possible sources for funding such as grants.