Final Blog Entry - Reflection

Course Reflection – EDTECH 541

Throughout this course, I learned a great deal about many of the resources and tools available online for educators and students. The resource library I was able to start and build will be invaluable to me as an educator for years to come.  I will continue to find and add resources as often as possible.  My technology toolkit grew exponentially throughout the semester.  Not only was I able to find resources that I didn’t know existed on my own, but I also gained a wealth of resources from the Diigo, EDTECH at Boise State University Group, and from my classmates’ projects and blogs.

I am currently teaching lower level business courses and education courses as an adjunct professor.  While the Roblyer and Doering text was useful, interesting, and easy to read: I did not find many resources that fit into my grade level.  For some projects it was challenging to design new, interactive, engaging, meaningful lessons for college level students. I am usually creative in integrating technology, but sometimes I struggled, especially when attempting to integrate various subjects (like math and science) into Business Communications. However, the harder the task, the better the feeling of accomplishment each time I created something of value to add to my educator’s “tool kit”. 

I feel I have grown tremendously as a professional thanks to being challenged this semester. I’ve gotten more creative and am utilizing technology tools and resources. Some resources I was familiar with before, but was introduced to new ways of using as an educator.  For example, I now consider social media a valuable teaching tool. I also gained awareness on school networks and acceptable use policies, walled gardens, and assistive technology.  I feel like I am more aware of students’ needs and the importance of differentiating instruction to meet those needs.

Constructivism was the theoretical framework from which each project was based.  All lessons were designed by first taking previous knowledge into consideration. Lessons were designed to be experiential, interactive, and meaningful for the learners. There are no lectures. There are opportunities for teacher to guide students through activities designed to engage the student for optimal learning.  Lessons were designed to give the learner the opportunity to be creative and take charge of their own learning.

Much of the coursework completed in EdTech 541 could be used to demonstrate mastery of AECT Standard 1 (Content Knowledge), Standard 2 (Content Pedagogy), and Standard 3 (Learning Environments). I created an entire website which includes technology-rich lessons using a “variety of systems approaches” (Standard 1); and that “improve learning and performance outcomes” (Standard 2); and all based on “best practices” (Standard 3) .  These include: Hypermedia integration, Internet in Instruction, Social Networking lessons, and Content Learning areas Language Arts and Social Studies.  My Adaptive and Assistive Technologies project addresses the Diversity of Learners section of Standard 3.

Blog Self-Assessment

Content:  As I read through my blog posts for this course, I found some to be proud of, and some that could have been written better.  Therefore, I would give myself a Proficient in this category. They contain substantial information, thought, insight and analysis and are connected to current content.  I feel some posts have depth and detail, while others could have more. 60/70 points

Readings and Resources:  I would give myself an Outstanding under this category. I use a variety of resources to support blog posts. These resources were cited using APA format.  20/20 points

Timeliness:  All required postings were made, but the last couple (including this one) were not posted in time to give others the opportunity to post responses. I therefore give myself a Proficient under this category.  15/20 points

Responses to Other Students:  I would give myself a Proficient under this category.  Some blogs were restricted, which added a level of insecurity in leaving a response as I never knew if they were accepted or not.  I understand that blogging is all about sharing on the blog, but several times I opted to leave comments under the Moodle Blog forum instead.  However, I did feel my responses were satisfactory and detailed.  25/30 points

Assistive Technology

“Section 508 requires Federal agencies to ensure that individuals with disabilities who are members of the public of Federal employees have access to and use of electronic and information technology (EIT) that is comparable to that provided to individuals without disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency.” (Section508.gov)

I am currently using an HP laptop, so began my research with Hewlett Packard.  According to the HP Official website, in response to new technologies, “The U.S. Access Board is now updating the Section 508 Standards”. HP recently participated in the Telecommunications and Electronic and Information Technology Advisory Council to develop recommendations to the U.S. Access Board for changes to Section 508. (hp.com) 

There are numerous accessibility features on my HP including:  optimizing visual display, changing how the mouse works, changing how the keyboard works, replacing sounds with visual cues, and replacing keyboard and mouse with speech recognition.  What this means is that the computer is customizable for those users who might be visually or hearing impaired, or have other difficulties using the technology. 

To begin, there are quite a few settings to make the screen easier to see including high contrast themes, a Magnifier, Audio Descriptions, and a Narrator. The Magnifier can be used to zoom in anywhere on the screen. It can be set to follow the mouse, follow the keyboard focus, or follow the text insertion point. It can be fine-tuned to magnify more or less depending on the needs of the user.  I found this device very easy to use!  Audio Descriptions can be set to tell the user what is being shown on a video. I didn’t have the chance to test this setting.  The Narrator, when turned on, will read aloud all text that is on the screen.  Additionally, text and icon sizes can be increased; colors can be edited; the cursor can be customized; and there is also a warning signal that can be turned on to alert the user every time a setting is turned on or off.  The computer may even be set to be used without the display for those who may be completely blind.

Mouse pointers may be customized and made larger and bold.  The numeric keyboard may be set up to be used in place of the mouse.  Or, the mouse may be customized for a left-handed person.  When my daughter had shoulder surgery and could not use her right hand in computer class. She quickly fell behind in her work.  I sent an email asking her teacher to please set up the mouse for her to use with her left hand.  One begins to understand accessibility when they find themselves in a situation where technology is only set up for right-handed people.

The keyboard may be customized to allow certain shortcuts (CTRL+ALT+DEL) to be used one key at a time. This is normally a 2-handed skill. Additionally, Filter Keys and Repeat Keys may be set up as well as Bounce Keys.  This allows for the user to accidently hit keys or hold down keys without impact.  Or, the keyboard and mouse may be entirely replaced with speech recognition.  The user can then dictate commands to the computer.

For the hearing impaired, sounds may be replaced with visual cues.  This is done by turning on Visual Notifications, which can be set to flash the desktop, window or caption bar.

Resources

"Accessibility & Aging." Overview. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. <http://www8.hp.com/us/en/hp-information/accessibility-aging/index.html>.

"Section 508 Home." Section 508 Home. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. <http://www.section508.gov/>.

Obstacles and Solutions for Integrating Technology in the Classroom

In my experience as an education technologist, I have seen many obstacles and solutions for integrating technology in the classroom.  I believe the biggest obstacle is training and support for teachers.  Teachers will resist and be apprehensive about using technology if they are not comfortable using it.  Often times, educators are given new technologies and told to integrate them, but are not given proper training in order to do so.  Some educators will take to time to teach themselves, while others will not. 

The solution to this obstacle is time, training and support for educators.  Along with training, teachers must be given time to re-design lessons as well as time to practice using the new technology.  When I have surveyed teachers about utilizing new technology, the largest complaint was that they felt they needed additional time. They want time for online research (to search for resources), time for training, time for practice, time to collaborate and share ideas with their peers, and time to prepare new technology rich lessons. 

Additionally, ongoing support must be provided. Teachers will run into problems with the technology (because technology doesn't always behave as it is supposed to) and if timely support is not available, they will discontinue its use.  This solution may not be easy, but I believe it is necessary for technology integration to be successful. 

Relative Advantage of Using Technology to Enhance Content Area Learning

There are many relative advantages of using technology to enhance content area learning.  The most obvious advantage to me is the ability to utilize technology to motivate students and make learning meaningful.  By evolving away from lectures and textbooks, and providing more interactive learning environments, students can be more engaged in the subject they are learning. 

Additionally, online learning environments can make up for any weaknesses that an educator may have.  For example, Roblyer & Doering (2013) describe a teacher (Ms. Anderson) who has advanced technology integration skills, but she has a  weakness is in content knowledge.  Ms. Anderson finds technology that reinforces the content standards needed, addresses content she is not yet fluent in, and uses it to the students’ advantage.

More relative advantages of using technology to enhance content area learning are providing the opportunity to:

• ·         Promote collaboration
• ·         Promote creativity
• ·         Providing instant feedback.
• ·         Foster exploration through virtual environments.
• ·         Use 21^st Century Skills.

References

Roblyer, M., & Doering, A. (2013). Integration Educational Technology into Teaching (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education.