Probably the biggest takeaway from this course for me was
learning about ALEX and AVL. I am not teaching yet, so exploring these websites
helped me learn what they are for and how I can use them. I especially loved that I can on ALEX you can
search for lesson plans that have already been created by other teachers. There
is are so many resource out there for teachers, and I am still learning about a
lot of them. It is my goal to create relevant
lessons that are rich in content, and sometimes you have to go outside the
assigned curriculum to find additional material that will enhance your lesson
and engage your students, and really get them excited about learning.
The second biggest takeaway for me was the chapter/activities
on distance learning. I know that
education and technology are steadily moving forward, and the idea of distance
learning is becoming more widely practiced.
In fact, teachers, parents, and students are using technology more than
ever to communicate with each other about student progress, assessments, and homework.
I think learning shouldn’t end when a student walks out of the classroom, and
using distance learning as a way to further a student’s educational experience
at home or on the go is a step in the right direction.
The third biggest takeaway for me was probably just learning
about new ways to incorporate technology in the classroom. There are so many options for keeping
students engaged. I don’t think school
should ever be boring, and keeping your curriculum relevant makes students more
apt to learn. It also allows the teacher to provide students with those
technological skills that they will need in the future. Students need to be given the opportunity to
both formally and informally collaborate and communicate with other students,
engage in critical thinking and problem solving, and learn about/experiment with
new media like Prezi, Social Media, apps, blogs, and wikis. Part of our jobs as teachers is to constantly
asses and improve our professional development. Staying informed makes our jobs
easier, and makes learning a lot more fun.
My favorite assignment was when we learned about video
production during week 8. I had fun creating this video, so I know my future
students would have fun with a similar assignment. I learned not only how to
use the iMovie video editing app, but I also learned about the Kahoot platform
and how it can be used in the classroom.
This assignment took me a while to complete, but I guess that is because
learning how to successfully edit videos is complicated. I also enjoyed learning how to do audio recording,
and splicing and cutting certain scenes for the video. It was time consuming,
but I think the more I do it, the easier it will be. The great thing about video production that
everyday new apps and programs come out that can simplify how we make
videos. I think videos are particularly
useful because they can be used in both lesson instruction and enhancement.
I really like the idea of digital storytelling and I plan to
use this in my future class. I would like to create a digital story of popular
summer reading books. I think a quick
summary of the book paired with some biographical information about the author
would be inspiring to students and may make them want to read more. I also
think that I will use some of the digital assessment tools we learned about. Websites like Quizlet are great for
introducing new concepts or reviewing older ones. I also like the idea of using videos to help struggling
readers. Students who have trouble with fluency and comprehension often take
turns reading aloud and to other students, but students could also record
themselves reading and teachers can assess where they need work. Not to
mention, they will benefit from listening to their own expression and pronunciation.
Prior to taking this class it would never had occurred to me all the versatile
ways video production can be used in a classroom. I know I will continue to
benefit from the knowledge I have gained in the course, both in my career as a
student and in my future classroom. I plan on continuing to explore new and
innovative ways I can engage my students with the help of technology.