Reflection on Course
Once upon a time, there was this young lady who loved technology but was not aware of the different ways she could utilize the tool. This young lady is Nicole Levy, the writer of this post. I have always had a zest to use and integrate technological tools in my work, however before being enlightened through the Educational Technology course; I always thought that Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, YouTube videos and pictures were the only ways in which I could possibly make use of technology interactively and engagingly. However, after I was introduced to the course I have not only garnered knowledge on the other varieties of tools that can be employed but I have also developed the requisite skills that are required to successfully integrate the tools into lessons. In addition, the following course has corrected numerous misconceptions I had regarding tools such as WebQuest which I thought was a website similar to other web pages encountered frequently.
For the first Educational technology class that was held, we had the opportunity to introduce ourselves and state what our expectations were for the course and presently I can recall my response was to be able to create and use various technological tools so that I can utilize such in my future occupation. Do you think my expectation was met? Well if you said 'yes' you are correct. I must say that my expectation (s) has been met. As the young lady that started the course has now become more innovative and creative with applying various technological tools. In addition, I also learned valuable information on how I can innovate, design, deliver and manage instruction.
Furthermore, I garnered a deeper understanding of how it is that I as a future instructor can implement learning resources that match the cognitive needs of my students as well as tools that can be incorporated to regulate and monitor behaviour within the classroom. In addition, I was also made aware of the world wide web, its implications in education as well a the advancements that have been developed through this platform. For example, I found that ABCmouse is a website that has a curriculum designed for primary school students. Wow, oh how much I have learnt, but I'm not through another thing I about was the ISTE NETS standards, you may be wondering what are these, no need to worry because I learnt that these are Standards that provide the competencies for learning, teaching and leading in the digital age, providing a comprehensive roadmap for the effective use of technology in schools worldwide.
Furthermore, the ISTE Standards ensure that using technology for learning can create high-impact, sustainable, scalable and equitable learning experiences for all learners (ISTE, n.d). I also learnt about the various standards which include; an empowered learner, digital citizen, knowledge constructor, innovative designer, computational thinker, creative communicator and global collaborator. These standards prepare teachers to teach technology and advanced concepts in the classroom. It also encourages teachers to communicate with one another for better ideas on how to engage their students (ISTE, n.d).
In garnering a clear understanding of these standards from the course, I was not only able to become technologically savvy but I garnered the understanding of how to engage my students rather than just providing children with information for them to absorb passively. The first tool that I created was the interactive PowerPoint, which consisted of icons on the first page that allowed the user to navigate the tool without using the regular control options. I personally did not know that my very own Microsoft PowerPoint office could go beyond creating simple power points with a variety of themes, therefore; I was shocked yet intrigued. In creating the interactive PowerPoint I learnt another way in which I could use the tool to make my lessons interesting. The Title page for my PowerPoint:
I am still surprised that I was able to produce such creative content but I am really grateful for the skill garnered. I never thought I could create such an engaging tool using the same Microsoft office PowerPoint tool I use so regularly. The interactive PowerPoints I will use will not only engage my learners but will cater to their different learning styles and enable my pedagogical skills as an instructor to be improved so that the dissemination of information can be more effective. In continuation, the second tool I created was a photostory which I am not afraid to say I had no knowledge about until learning about it through my instructor Mr Simpson.
In creating the photo story I not only learnt how to compile my information in a short format; especially for visual learners but I also learnt how to be creative in terms of designing one. For example, in the one I created, I utilized sound as well as my voice to deliver and enhance the information being delivered. Thirdly, the most exciting tool, I created in my view, was the podcast! Yes, I developed the skill to create meaningful podcasts to present information to students in my class who will prefer to receive information through audio. Thus, I believe my students will not only become competent learners but will be able to draft meaningful understanding from the content that will be taught. The podcast I drafted was used as an engaging tool for my lesson introduction on photosynthesis. My podcast can be explored using the following link:
https://ctcedumy.sharepoint.com/:u:/g/personal/nicole_levy_ctc_edu_jm/EVCmPfybjTlIot9FZ3Xc0BcBSxuQMHWVS3d_-9wuJw31Dg?e=dMTQSo
Lastly, I created a WebQuest that featured information on the topic of photosynthesis. The WebQuest consisted of an introduction, task, evaluation among other items which students would have to navigate through to successfully complete. The WebQuest was the most challenging activity or tool for me to create as I found that it took a lot of time order to effectively create one. Furthermore, I also realized that a purpose for WebQuest has to be developed beforehand; as if there is no real purpose, learners will not be able to benefit from the tool use. You can enjoy the benefit of my WebQuest here: http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=764260 .I have learnt a lot as an individual and as a teacher in training and I am really grateful for the knowledge I have garnered from the course as I have become more competent technologically and therefore by God's grace I will become an effective teacher in the future.
Reference
The ISTE standards. ISTE. (n.d.).from https://www.iste.org/iste-standards
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