Hello and welcome to my technology blog. Today, I am going to share with you my thoughts about my overall learning experience in my technology course that I am about to complete while on my quest for obtaining my Master's degree with IWU. This course has been so beneficial to me in so many areas of my professional career. The reasons for this are that I have never been interested or confident in using technology in my classroom setting. I have always considered myself a good teacher and able to teach without using technology. I never really thought of using technology as a way of teaching. I just thought of it as a tool to use to be more creative, another form of art if you will. I never thought of it as benefiting my own teaching and my students learning. HOW WRONG WAS I...I now understand that this is not just a fancy gadget just waiting to be used by other people. It is a learning device that I must use in my classroom and in my lessons to help my students reach their full potential. I recently shared with a friend that technology is like teaching a foreign language. It is something that will benefit students learning and my teaching. I have to learn the new language and share this language with my students, so that they can take their knowledge and enhance their lives.
I believe the greatest growth area for me with taking this course is understanding not to be afraid of something I don't know. To focus on one area at a time and to become proficient in that area of technology and go from there. I have learned that it is important to share with others and learn from others. I have discovered where to locate resources to help me learn more about certain technology. I have also learned that I will be a better teacher if I use technology to teach my 21st century students.
My teaching practice has already changed since starting this class. I am constantly trying to think of new ways to use technology in my classroom. Although, I am limited with the technology I have available in my classroom, I am seeking out other ways to use what I have. I am also conferring with fellow colleagues about technology they have and how we can share it to benefit us all.
I believe as time permits, I will become more knowledgeable about what tools in technology will work for me. I will use them in my classroom and will allow my students to use technology to enhance their own learning.
This has been a very successful course for me, and I plan on referring back to the information I received in it often.
