My Final Refection

            These last seven weeks have really allowed me to look inside my classroom, help develop a better understanding of the different types of student learning there are, and incorporate different types of technology that benefits the students and allows their creative side to shine through. 

            Starting with my game plan, the only topic that I was able to work on was, “to design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.”  (International Society for Technology in Education, 2008)  My new found love are the websites, Pinterest and Web 2.0:  Cool Tools For Schools.  I have spent hours on these two websites and have found so many cool ideas that I have already begun to implement in my classroom.  For instance, QR codes.  I have already set up the online book editions for Algebra and Geometry using these.  I have also set up passes to leave my classroom using QR codes as well.  I know my students will be excited to see these changes that are happening in my classroom.  I have seen so many creative ideas for classroom décor and student projects.  It has made me become real excited for the beginning of school this year.  My other topic deals with professional learning communities within my district and since we are still on summer recess, I will not be able to start this process until we return.  However, I am looking forward to seeing the benefits that will come upon working with my colleagues.  At this time, I do not think I need to modify my game plan.  I have become very happy with my progress so far.  I believe that my students will give me great reflections on the integration of these new technology pieces and as a class we will both be able to grow and see what more there is to offer as time moves on.

            Not only will I be implementing the use of QR codes in my classroom, but on my website I have set up a link where students are able to turn their homework in, whether they are absent or forgot it at home.  I have also added a blog to my website to promote student communication.  I am still debating on whether or not to set up a wiki site, that way there is another way students are collaborating with each other.  I am in the process of working on electronic exit questions for students to respond to at the end of class.  It will be an easy way for students to use technology in the classroom.  Integrating of problem-based learning is something that my district has just announced that we will be working towards within the next few years.  They have already set up teams to work on these projects based on content areas.  I am extremely happy about this because I seen the benefits of my students while watching them work through the project on surface area and volume.  I was able to bring the real world into geometry.  The awesome part about this was being able to step back and watch the students work with each other and struggle through the different steps of the project.  The part that they seemed most intrigued about was the last part of digital storytelling.  Being able to search the internet for real world solid shapes and then create a video on their findings was neat to watch.  I have saved them all and plan to show them to future classes so they have a basis of what I expect of them.

            Over all, I am so glad that I had the opportunity to actually create a technology based project, allow students to work through it, and now I know what little aspects that need to be changed before I have an entire class complete it.  Having the time to do this doesn’t come very often, but I am very pleased so far.

 References

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Cooltoolsforschools - Collaborative Tools. (n.d.). Cooltoolsforschools - Collaborative Tools. Retrieved August 12, 2013, from http://cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com/Collaborative Tools