Teaching+with+Technology+Class+Reflection

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= = = Class Reflection: = When I started this course and heard that it would be centered on group work, I wasn’t exactly excited. It is so scary to work with a group of people that you don’t know, and not have an opportunity to work face to face with. I learned in this class that, “Technology can play a unique and vital role in cooperative learning by facilitating group collaboration, providing structure for group tasks, and allowing members of groups to communicate even if they are not working together face to face (Pitler, et. al., pg. 140). We used several tools in our group action scenario plan that I was not familiar with and will use again in future projects. We used several online tools to allow us to communicate effectively during the five weeks of this course and even though I currently teach pre-k, I have several new resources to use when I move up in grade levels. I think that the information I learned in this class will help my resume when I apply for a new position. Some of the “Web 2.0” tools that we utilized include: Google site, Google forms, Google documents, online videos and eBooks. “Students and teachers can collaborate over the web by logging on to sites that allow them to share and edit calendars, bookmarks, and share Web links, and create online learning communities” (Pitler, et.al., pg. 149). Throughout the weekly readings I gained information on topics that I was either new to, or had limited knowledge about. I think anybody that is in a program like this one is excited to learn new ways to use technology, and I feel more prepared than before to help me the technological needs of my future students. “Some of the differences in how learning occurs in technology-rich classrooms as contrasted with traditional classrooms may account for consistent findings that technology can be especially effective with at-risk and special needs students (Pitler, et. al., pg. 3). It is important for teachers of all subjects and grade levels to understand the importance of learning how to use technology to enrich the curriculum in their classes to benefit the students in their classes. Resources: Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Deveopment.