- What did you learn about the intersection of technology and instruction? What was your progress on becoming a “tech-savvy” teacher?
This class provided an opportunity for me to learn about a wide range of technologies and how to incorporate them into my lessons. I knew technology was an integral part of education, but I didn’t realise that technology could be used to such a great extend to promote engagement in a classroom. It was also interesting to see how not only teachers can use technology but how students can also use it. For example, I love how students can share sites like Google MyMaps with each other so they can work on a collaborative project. Technology can often seem like a distraction but if used correctly, educators can enhance their teaching and students can enhance their school work through using different sites or apps. Before this class, I knew roughly how to use technology, but now I know so much more. I have learnt about multiple apps or sites that I will use as a ‘tech-savy’ teacher!
- This class was driven by mini-projects instead of test and papers. How did you respond? What does that tell you about student motivation?
I really liked the layout of this class and having a small thing due each week! This meant that we could play around with a new piece of technology each week and put it to use by creating something new. It also meant that we could constantly apply the new skills we learnt each week and it wasn’t just a ‘one off’ thing. I learn better through hands-on activities, especially with something such as technology. It makes sense to focus on the practical component of this class as it is technology. If we had to take tests and write papers, I would not have learnt as much as I did in this class. I think student motivation can be increased in a classroom through the use of technology and more hands-on learning experiences. It tells me that as teachers we should be doing more formative assessments rather than summative assessments such as tests and papers. Perhaps students will be more interested in school and may actually learn more!!