What did you
learn or “take-away” from this course and how has your perspective about
integrating technology into K to 6 education changed/grown throughout the
course?
The
Current and Emerging Technologies course taught me the ways in which digital
technologies can be integrated into classrooms by challenging me to ask
critical questions about the affects of technology on learning, and by asking
me to work with these different technologies myself.
At the beginning
of the course I was unsure about the use of technology in primary education.
However, I have decided that I support the use of technology in K to 6
education. My perspective has grown with the help of my field placement
observations, the exposure I’ve had to use technologies in my courses (i.e.
blogs, YouTube videos, Google Applications, Microsoft Office, and other online
resources), the survey I conducted in relation to my research topic, the
interview help between myself and an expert in the field, collaboration with my
professional learning community, as well as the actual research I conducted
through the Library Database.
How did this
course help you answer your “burning” question about the use of digital
technologies in K to 6 education?
This
course offered me the time and resources that I needed in order to answer my
burning question, “Can technology support student creativity in primary
education?”. Over the course of 10 weeks I was able to conduct research while
at the same time experiment with different technologies for a variety of
assignments. For example, the digital story assignment challenged teacher
candidates to work with a technology to create an animated story. This
assignment allowed me to work with whatever application I desired, allowing me
to learn the different ways that I can be creative to express my knowledge.
This, along with other assignments completed in this course, taught me how to
use different technologies while also challenging my creative abilities.
How did you
contribute to the learning of others? What did you learn from others?
I
contributed to the learning of others by collaborating with my professional
learning community weekly. During these interactions with my peers, I shared
new information that I gathered on my research topic, I allowed them to share
their new knowledge, and we shared our assignments and work. When we shared our
assignments, using Google Docs, Sites, and Slides, I provided my peers with
comments and peer assessments. This was valuable because it got myself and the
other teacher candidates into the habit of providing consistent and
constructive feedback.
Others contributed
to my learning in the same ways. By providing me with constructive feedback and
peer assessments I was challenged to see different perspectives, improve my
work, and dig deeper into my questions surrounding technology in primary
education.
Excellent post! It is so nice to read that you are developing your idea on technology in primary education! It can be such an important factor and you have clearly shown how this course has influenced your ideas and opinions.
ReplyDeleteI like how you talk about your changed/more open perspective towards technology and how it can be used to facilitate learning! Great work Taylor!
ReplyDeleteTaylor - it’s definitely all about teamwork and collaboration :)
ReplyDelete