EDU 776 - Reflection

Wow! It is so hard to believe that this course only began about seven weeks ago. It has flown by, and I feel like I have learned so much and grown when it comes to technology in education.

I have had knowledge of how to incorporate technology into my classroom ever since I worked in a one-to-one iPad setting. I always thought I knew quite a bit since we had a lot of technology training through that school. Since I moved out of that school, however, I felt as though I went backwards in my technology use. After finishing this course I feel a new sense of encouragement to work with what I have and build hands-on, student centered technology back into my teaching.

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I really enjoyed learning about all the possible tools there are for use in the classroom. Some of the great tools that I was introduced to during this course were; Screencastify, Nearpod, Thinglink, and, Blogger itself.  I really hope to be able to incorporate Nearpod and Thinglink into my classroom this year. I even learned about ways I can further use technology that I already use in my classroom such as Class Dojo.

The week about our Digital Tattoo was possibly my favorite and the most shocking. It was really interesting to dive into my online "tattoo". I couldn't believe all the information that was publicly out about me online. I can't wait to bring that type of online responsibility lesson back to my students so that my students can really start becoming aware of what they put online and how it might effect them in the future.

I was pushed beyond my technology comfort zone personally as well. While I had a blog when I studied abroad about seven years ago, it was very basic. I learned so much about how to create a blog as well as a website during this course. I learned how to have and take part in a PLN (professional learning community). I can't wait to keep using my professional Twitter to grow as an educator and connect with other educators around the world. I think all three of these elements will help me grow as an educator and help me if I ever try to branch out and find a new job.

I always knew that technology had an important place in education. I know now that it is becoming more and more important to incorporate into instruction and teach about in schools.