What a great Class! I learned so much about technology and how to effectively integrate it into lessons and projects. From the beginning the textbook does a good job of reviewing the learning theories that many of us haven’t reflected on in some time. This helped open my eyes to understanding if I believed in an objectivist or constructivist theory or if I was a hybrid. However, I did learn ways in which technology can address either one of these theories. Technology can be used in drill and skill practices or in creative problem solving. I also learned not to use technology just for the sake of the technology, but to use it to enrich lessons. The textbook also had many examples of how to create a meaningful and engaging lesson that sparked ideas for me. This textbook is a wonderful resource to keep. Today’s students are growing up in a digital age and many are learning to read in a different format than many of us did. This means teachers have to teach for this century in order to prepare students for life and career skills.
Before this class I didn’t even know there were technology standards. In kindergarten, we only have two and they are in language arts. Now I have become familiar with NETS-S, NETS-C and NETS-T standards and can use them to evaluate the competence of my students and for myself to be sure I am helping teachers to implement technology, to prepare their students for the digital age. As well, I was not familiar with the Indicators of Engage learning. I will post this sheet at my desk this year and try my best to make sure that I am meeting these indicators with the lessons I plan. The levels of Technology Use Implementation Framework (LoTi) were another set of guidelines I was not familiar with and I will keep it close by, as well. Both of these frameworks ask the teacher to think about very relevant questions such as; is the lesson engaging and meaningful and/or is the technology integrated in a way that adds to the lesson. I will be asking myself these questions this coming school year.
Finally, I learned you can be kind, generous with your ideas and encouraging and still get the job done. The professors this semester have proven that to us, with their coaching. I hope I become a coach of their caliber. This is the job of a coach, to help teachers integrate technology in such a way that the teacher doesn’t feel burdened by thinking one more thing has been added to their plate. I believe a good coach can unpack some of these ideas and show teachers why these are good learner centered activities (NETS-C 2a). Also, coaches can do this in a reassuring manner and let the teachers know they are there to help.
Before this class I didn’t even know there were technology standards. In kindergarten, we only have two and they are in language arts. Now I have become familiar with NETS-S, NETS-C and NETS-T standards and can use them to evaluate the competence of my students and for myself to be sure I am helping teachers to implement technology, to prepare their students for the digital age. As well, I was not familiar with the Indicators of Engage learning. I will post this sheet at my desk this year and try my best to make sure that I am meeting these indicators with the lessons I plan. The levels of Technology Use Implementation Framework (LoTi) were another set of guidelines I was not familiar with and I will keep it close by, as well. Both of these frameworks ask the teacher to think about very relevant questions such as; is the lesson engaging and meaningful and/or is the technology integrated in a way that adds to the lesson. I will be asking myself these questions this coming school year.
Finally, I learned you can be kind, generous with your ideas and encouraging and still get the job done. The professors this semester have proven that to us, with their coaching. I hope I become a coach of their caliber. This is the job of a coach, to help teachers integrate technology in such a way that the teacher doesn’t feel burdened by thinking one more thing has been added to their plate. I believe a good coach can unpack some of these ideas and show teachers why these are good learner centered activities (NETS-C 2a). Also, coaches can do this in a reassuring manner and let the teachers know they are there to help.