Reflection #3: Consider your level of educational technology literacy as you complete this course. How competent do you believe you are in order to teach in a technology-rich environment? Over these past several weeks studying and applying Technology and Learning with Technology, I have gained tremendous exposure and insight into not only how to approach setting the stage for my classroom, but also the new perspective I need to embrace as a teacher. Though an instructor for adults, working with my Group 4 Team members on our projects has proved a valuable and gainful exercise. Our “13 Colonies” topic could be any topic or concept, since the key focus was to employ various technological tools and methodologies for student learning. I have had a new mindset shift in thinking differently as a teacher: to become more the facilitator and change agent for collaborative learning, and less the director of one-way communications for knowledge transfer. Unlike my Group 4 Team members, my adult learners are often intimidated by technology and dig in their heels in having to learn new systems, so my challenge is a little different. With the creative interactive technologies we have used in this course, such as Google Slides, Edupuzzle and Quizizz, I can better assemble curricula that often is dry in delivery into something engaging and more stimulating. My students know the business wherewithal of the ‘what’ we are covering in the software class; they just need to learn the ‘how’ in the new web-system and be able to prove competency. Using some quizzes and interactive assessments will be a tremendous help in gauging their understanding and application of the system, instead of simply walking through the functionality and expecting them to practice and follow along in their own sandbox site. I feel confident in my competency to teach in a technology-rich environment given new techniques and allowing my adult learners ownership in their own learning from each other in collaborative ways. What other opportunities would you search for to become even more proficient in the use of technology in the classroom? Other opportunities I would search for becoming more proficient in the use of technology in the classroom would center on focusing on ISTE Standard #1-Leader, and #7-Analyst (model for colleagues the identification and adoption of new digital resources and learning tools; demonstration of competency, forming assessments, and using assessment data to guide progress). Currently, there are no teaching and learning standards or models when implementing our software for adult learners, and these recommendations are instrumental in success. By not having standards in delivery of training outside of Zoom, we do not have data that evaluates effectiveness of the training. An oversight that companies often do when a signed contract only provides the wording “training will be provided to navigate the new software.” As diligent 21st century teachers, the wording should theoretically read “training, knowledge application and practice, and support will be provided to ensure learners can apply the new software concepts independently in the system.”
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7/26/2020 03:38:27 pm
Melissa,
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7/26/2020 09:48:51 pm
The entire time we worked as a group, I always considered that you may have a barrier to entry when it came to classroom technology since you don't teach kids, but I never stopped to consider the fact that you are teaching and working with much older students! I think it's really interesting that you were still able to make the most out of this class and find ways that you will be able to utilize the resources that we learned about and practiced using. I am certainly glad that you are confident in your ability to work with these new resources and that you know you can use them to better engage your students. I know that your students will certainly appreciate your strong tech skills and your overall confidence.
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