EDLD+5364+Final+Assessment

EDLD 5364 REFLECTIONS
1. What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned?

When I first heard the name of this class I was very enthusiastic and felt as if it might be the epitome of this Master’s degree. I was not disappointed by the class content and assignments. My group, one that we formed during Video Tech earlier this year, includes a Tech Apps teacher, an instructional tech coordinator, and two Language Arts teachers, which allows for really great collaboration and a range of perspectives and ideas. I expected to communicate with them efficiently and effectively, to build on my group’s suggestions and ideas for improvement, and to learn new ways to implement 21st Century technology. All of these outcomes were achieved, with the addition of learning a novel method for creating technology-enhanced lessons that reach all students, UDL. Universal Design for Learning revealed an easy, pertinent way to plan lessons while taking into consideration the variety of students in any given classroom. Because of the assignments requiring actual lesson plan development, I learned more than I previously envisioned, and my group worked together to apply this knowledge in an effective way. This course exceeded my expectations in that it involved practical, convenient ways to implement technology in my role as a student and teacher.

2. To the extent that you achived the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not?

The outcomes achieved in this class are 100% relevant to my current role as a teacher and my future role as an instructional technologist. I have already began using the UDL lesson plan method in my class, and look forward to sharing it with the other teachers on my campus as well. Reviewing the three different theories of learning in the first week of class allowed me to reflect upon my current teaching practices to ensure that they are aligned with legitimate theory and best practices, and I appreciated the wake-up call. This class really gave me food for thought as far as school design and scheduling, and I am eager to share this knowledge with my campus principal to discuss needed changes. The vidoes showing collaborative, technology-based learning in various high schools provided a model for me to examine and research further. I think students on my campus are at a disadvantage with 45-minute class periods, and I’d like to apply some of the High Tech High ideas to our school.

3. What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?

Based on my personal expectations for this class, I don’t feel that I did not achieve any particular outcome. My group collaborated in a timely manner, which I am usually concerned about in real-life groups, and we all had our assignments completed on time. Another concern I usually have with group work is that one person does the majority of the work and everyone else just writes their names at the top. This class did not allow that to happen, and having a designated team leader to filter the website and emails was a tremendous help and a great idea. One thing I would like to do on my own is create and manage a Google site, since our team leader handled the set-up and management of the site. I feel that is something I could easily implement in my classroom, and I’m glad to have learned about it in this class.

4. Were you successful in completing the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?

I was successful in completing the course assignments. The first week or so is always the most difficult because I have to line out all of the expectations, create a schedule in order to wisely manage my time, and get a feel for the overall work load. Because of my wonderful group, I had no trouble fitting this class into my schedule, working with them online when necessary, and staying on top of the assignments. The video lectures for this class were thought-provoking, and I found myself taking notes and researching further based on what stood out for me. All of the information provided in this class was relevant to my role as a teacher, helped me complete the assignments, and piqued my interest in this field of education. Maintaining my wiki, blog, and the Google site also kept me aware of what I was learning and how I could apply the knowledge, which also contributed to my success on the assignments.

5. What did you learn from this course: about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes? I learned that the Web 2.0 technology is not as scary or unattainable as it seems. The readings taught me that there are so many ways to tweak the technology to my own personal classroom and teaching style that I really can’t go wrong if I just attempt to use it. I also had my eyes opened to the expectations of the students in our schools this century: they need feedback, relevant and genuine assessment, instant communication, and problem-solving collaboration. As a technology leader on my campus, I need to continue to be alert to our students’ needs and try to meet those with all available resources. All teachers, no matter what age, can learn to use this technology, and to help students use it in educational ways. We are missing the boat in many areas because kids are turned off by the straight rows of desks, overhead projectors, and pencil and paper worksheets. Appropriate delivery of content and synthesis of knowledge in students’ own lives should be primary concerns in 21st Century.