EDUD 520 Reflections

This morning, I finally figured out how to record and upload on Screentoaster.com.  What a fun and fantastic Web based tool.   All of the Web based tools have been fantastic to explore.   The teacher I worked with in fourth grade asked me at the beginning of the year if I would create a Web page for her class using the District's web tools.  I thought that would be a great experience, but the project never got off the ground having to use the District's tools and guidelines.  After learning about Blogspot.com and GoogleDocs Web sites,  in the last month of the school year, I have finally created a Classroom Blog for that fourth grade teacher.  I created a blog site, embedded a picture, tokbox videos, and had students interact on the blog.  Wow, have I come a long way. 

What struck me most about the times when I was involved with a lesson that incorporated technology, was how involved and interactive the students were in the projects.  Many of the Internet sites have so much knowledge accumulated on one site that it would be impossible to read the whole site.  The Educational Internet sites ask students not only to read, but they ask students to think, make decisions, and manage their research so that they find the information that they need to complete their assignments.  I also discovered that the Internet can support learners at their varying degrees of ability.  With teacher involvement, learners can find sites that are appropriate for their grade level, ability, and learning styles.  I can see possibilities for incorporating technology throughout the curriculum.  Technology is a very exciting tool which enhances student participation and learning.  In this class I have learned from Barry, as well as from my fellow students.  Thanks-I'm hooked on Technology.