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