Week 4: Teaching With Technology Course Reflection

This week we were asked again to read several texts and to view video content as a part of our assignment. In the paragraphs below, I will reflect on what I have learned from my studies.

Choice Reading:

The text that most inspired me the most this week was from Web 2.0: New Tools, New Schools. As an Instructional Technologist in my district, one of my responsibilities is to help facilitate a Professional Learning Community of elementary Technology Applications teachers. It has been deeply rewarding for me to see how this type of learning benefits each teacher. Solomon and Schrum suggest several tips to help keep our community actively collaborative and thriving through members’ participation that I find very useful (Solomon & Schrum, 2007, p 106). Of these tips, the one that I personally relate to the most was the concept of “having teachers share what they are doing on a regular basis” (Solomon and Scrum, 2007, p. 106). When surveying this same group of educators, the most common response that they benefit most when they are able to share their ideas. Each meeting time, we set aside time to for them to bring resources or lessons to share that they all can potentially use. We also spend time creating lessons that they can utilize in their classrooms. Hearing Solomon & Schrum’s perspectives about PLCs help reinforce that our group is moving in the right direction.

Choice Video:

I truly enjoyed viewing Project Learning: An Overview from Edutopia.org. Since I recently changed positions from a technology teacher to an Instructional Technologist, I am able to see the perspective from both sides of the fence. This video helped me to see how other schools are using technology and project-based learning to educate their students. As mentioned in the video, it is highly important to remember that our 21st students do not learn effectively from memorizing science facts, but now they mimic the work that the scientists actually do (Edutopia.org, nd.) This type of learning is so different from the way I learned as a child. Even as a technology teacher, I struggled with know how to implement project-based learning into my classroom. Because technology is rapidly changing, it is our role as educators and future administrators to ensure that we continue to challenge our students in a way that technology-rich and student-centered.

Shawntee’ Cowan

Reference

Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0 New tools, New schools. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education, 106.

Edutopia.org (nd). Project learning: An overview.
Retrieved Mar. 20, 2011 from http://www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning-overview