Final Reflection

1. What are some things that you have learned about effective teaching strategies when integrating technology?  * some of these questions are addressed throughout the post
 
While the integration of technology into our current curriculum may seem overwhelming to some, I think that we have learned through our coursework that it is not as intimidating, challenging, or as costly as some might assume.  This was shown in our projects, lab work, and readings.  In my current reflection, some might say  instead that there is an overwhelming amount of resources, avenues, and possiblities of effectively integrating technology into the curriculum. This was shown in our online learning tools that we reflected on in the Michigan Merit Curriculum and in the Face to Face labwork.   Even with this said, I think the key word is "effectively" integrating technology into the curriculum.  With this said, we have learned that advance planning, testing and re-testing the technology to make sure it works on a technical level, as well as teacher evaluation prior to and after implementation  is essential to the success of the technology integration.  This was shown in our Goal -directed Instructional Design Plan, UDL guidelines and checklist which included the application of new research in neuroscience, TPACK WebQuest and our STAIR design and experience. In addition, we reviewed the Michigan Merit Curriculum wherein we learned about the 6 essential characteristics of quality online learning experiences as well as examples of quality online learning.  In conclusion, I was introduced to new technologies and re-examined new uses for older technologies.  Most importantly, with all the hats teachers wear we were introduced to MERLOT wherein we can access materials and save the time of "re-inventing" the wheel so to speak as well as truly collaborate by sharing resources. 

 Finally,  I think technologies should enhance the curriculum and empower our students.  To be most effective, we must address multiple representations, multiple means of engagement, and multiple means of expression as outlined in the UDL principles to reach all students from the onset.  I further believe that it is most effectively integrated when we achieve the TPACK "sweet spot." In other words,   I think that technology implementation into a lesson plan should increase a students profiency in the technology, and/or introduce new technology skills as well as  increase content mastery.  I think that we have found that UDL principles and technology can work together as shown in the labwork of students' learning about the iris's response to light and how this learning is enhanced by technology's application of UDL principles.   In the past, we have focused on content experts and content mastery as our goal.  In the future, we will attempt to achieve mastery of learning which again I believe will result in greater mastery of content.



2. How did integrating web-based technologies help you think about and evaluate uses of technology? * some of these questions are answered throughout the post.

To begin with, blogging about online learning experiences helped me think about quality online learning experiences and characteristics such as Wiki's. At the same time, creating my own Wiki allowed me to fully realize its potential and limitations such as discovering I could embed a poll.    While participating in and reviewing WebQuest allowed me to integrate a quality experience into my own learning and fully realize the value of quality well planned WebQuest's and their potential for student use.  In addition, adding MERLOT to my RSS feed page caused me to reflect on how this custom online resource had become one of my most efficient and effective tools for staying connected and current as a professional. Still, the creation of my Webpage allowed me to reach my goal of starting a new portfolio online. This allowed me to reflect on the multiple uses for web pages and the potential for helping my students develop online portfolios. Still, MSU's Angel system allowed me to share, learn and collaborate online with other students in class and my instructor.  Finally, learning the File Transfer Protocal taught me how to take a STAIR project I created using my computer's powerpoint program and make it available on the internet to others as an online resource. 


3. How have you met your own personal goals for learning about technology integration?

In the past, I think I have always been confident (meaning I'd try it out) in integrating new technologies or resources into the curriculum.   As I have said previously, I have always had a computer in the classroom and I have always used every tool possibly to help my students learn.  I feel that I see technology beyond a tool for remediation or enrichment at this point. However, in the past I now realize that I have used technology as more as an "add on" as opposed to seamlessly integrating it into the lesson as a whole. I now see technology as a tool to solve and address educational needs and issues.  In the future, I will assess the use of technology for a lesson just as I would assess the need to use manipulatives in a math lesson. In this way, I will try to integrate technology in a way that I am able to achieve the "sweet spot."  My old Madeline Hunter lesson plan template will be incorporated into the Goal-directed Instructional Design Plan and I will be able to self-assess my own lesson plans prior to implementation with the UDL checklist in hand. 

Another area wherein I have exceeded my learning goals is in my learning more about WebQuests.  I did not realize I would take away the skills to evaluate a WebQuest as well as be a participant in a WebQuest.  I feel that both of these experiences exceeded what I thought I might learn about WebQuests.  I further feel that I will be able to create more effective WebQuests as a result.  Also, I have taken away a deeper understanding of TPACK through my participation in my TPACK WebQuest.

Likewise, through my instructors modeling of dealing with technology issues, I have also increased my ability "to work around" technical problems just as I work around old injuries.  While I have always done this with everything else in life, I had yet to apply this to technology.  In this way,  I think the ability to modify and think outside the box also applies to technology.  After working with my instructor with a newer  version (yet older) of an older technology, I ran into a technical issue with my audio as I was trying to apply the UDL principles through the use of audio, animation, and visual access.  I decided that I needed "to work around" and success followed. 

Finally,  I have also met my goal of starting a new portfolio which in turn will help me assist my students in creating or revisting their own portfolios. 

4. Do you have any new goals? What are your plans for reaching your new goals and your long-term goals after this course is over?

In terms of new goals and reaching them, I plan to continue my education in technology and earn my badge (must be the Girl Scout in me).  I also would like to develop a cross-curricular WebQuest.  While there are an overwhelming amount of technologies that are free, I have found in my recent evaluation of the new  "Sushi Monster" app  that not all technologies are effective in meeting standards or  have appropriate educational value in different contexts as we learned in our TPACK evaluation and in implementing the UDL principles and checklist.  With this said,  I was starting to surmise that Powerpoint was an old and outdated technology  easily replaced by Prezi.  However,  I am excited to have found a new purpose for this older technology through our STAIR project.  In fact, I look forward to creating new STAIRS to individualize instruction and create centers.  While I included "experienced astronauts" in my STAIR , I would also like to take the idea of UDL coaches to create a more seamless integration of my "experienced astronauts"  and allow students more self efficacy and control of support needed which in turn will create a "cleaner" STAIR.  Also,   while I have explored Scratch for educational game building, I will begin exploring GameMaker which I already have bookmarked.  I also look forward to using Moodle in the near future.  I further look forward to developing my new portfolio in future coursework.  I may even create a mini- Pecha Kucha project in the future for my students.

 As always, who new you could learn so much in this time frame?   While at times challenging for a gobal thinker, I recognize that learning is a process which is now being supported through the new learning in neuroscience.  Once again,  thanks to new technologies and repurposing of older ones!  Still on my mind, what do our students really know about technology?  Also on my mind, what will "education" look like in the future?  Will it be a blended version of old and new?   Will more schools collaborate with museums to teach curriculum or will more schools follow the model of educational gaming?