Reflections for the Future

Since this post signifies the end of my required blogging I want to use it to reflect on some of the things that really stood out to me while taking this digital technology in the classroom course. The main overall point I would like to make is how I have been able to gain a greater appreciation for digital technology in the classroom as well as the use of multimodal literacies. Initially, while I knew it held benefits for some students, I had viewed technology more as a distraction due to my personal experience as a student with technology in my classrooms. However, after taking this class I can see how beneficial technology can be and how it can greatly enhance a student's learning experience.

Of course, a big part of its success is due to the teachers knowledge of how to properly implement various types of technology. For example knowing how to block inappropriate or distracting websites when having your students work online for a project. Or using devices such as a SMART Board for lessons that cannot be done in the traditional way with pen and paper. I have learned that there is a difference between simply sugar coating a traditional lesson with technology use and actually using it to have a real multimodal lesson.

Although we only had the chance to dabble in some of the resources (common craft videos, SMART Boards, online puzzle makers, rubric creators, word clouds, etc.) for using digital technology in the classroom, I have seen how it opens doors for creativity and ways of learning. Lessons can be more accommodating for the various types of learners. It is easier to create a single lesson for visual, auditory, and hands-on learners. It can also provide a fun and inviting aspect to classroom learning for some students who are more reluctant to become engaged. I feel that technology also allows for more creativity to take place.

Another significant element I really took from this class was the greater ability for teacher connectivity. This can be teacher-to-teacher, teacher-to-students, and teachers-to-parents. I had never really considered the various ways of having these connections besides the traditional student agenda books or face to face meetings. However, with resources such as blogs, blendspace, e-portfolios, Wiki spaces, and so on the ease of getting connected rests at our fingertips. Being able to connect with other teachers and share information is so useful. Learning about what other teachers have tried and learned what works and doesn't can make lesson planning so much easier. Being able to create class pages online where homework and projects can be posted for students to access reduces some of the inconveniences of paper. It also provides a way to post school news for parents to access and find out what is going on at their child's school (because honestly, some of the younger kids are not going to remember to tell their parents all the little details they were told during the day). And sites such as e-portfolios allows students another venue to showcase their work besides the school hallways. Students may put more care into their work if they know they will be able to post it online for a greater selection of peers to view.

So, I believe it is safe to say I have been able to gain a greater appreciation for the use of technology in classroom settings. There are negatives and many things to consider when planning to use it in a classroom, but once a teacher learns how to use and integrate a balance of technology into their classroom a whole world of opportunities opens up!