Week+2-+Part+2.4+EDLD+5364+Course+Assignment+Reflections


 * __EDLD 5364 TEACHING WITH TECHNOLOGY COURSE REFLECTION__**

//**Self-Assessment**//  I was not sure what I envisioned for this course in the beginning. I know that there is so much more out there than what I cover in class and looked forward to being enlightened. I can say that I was. I was able to learn a great deal about Google docs and other applications just through this course. I’ve briefly covered it in a workshop, but nothing in depth like this and we only scratched the surface. The CAST book builder exercise and lesson plan builder really opened my eyes. I was really impressed by the book builder.  //**Learn as a Learner**//   It is very apparent that the use of technology in schools and the integration of technology in the classroom have risen dramatically in recent years. One of the purposes of using technology in schools is to improve the quality of learning; yet not all teachers have the technical knowledge and skill required. Therefore, professional development for teachers is a key issue. Teachers will be required to incorporate technologies such as blogs, wikis, podcasts, video podcasts (vodcasts), social bookmarking, aggregators, and other web based tools otherwise known as web 2.0 tools. In order for teachers to be prepared, they will have to be offered something better than the traditional one time only trainings and workshops that have done very little to reduce the “technology fear factor”. These same technologies can fulfill the needs of students’ various learning styles and special needs. These unconventional training opportunities offered to teachers will involve special courses, ongoing workshops, modeling and mentoring. Teachers will be able to work with these new technologies hands-on and be able to have follow up support, assistance and time. Time is a critical factor because learning new technologies and how to integrate them can be time intensive and may take up to three or more years to thoroughly implement.  //**Lifelong Learning Skills**//  Technology can be used in the classroom to enhance the learning of students with diverse needs. A classroom today may have students with learning, physical, and/or emotional disabilities. As we understand how students learn, digital tools can help provide the support these diverse learners need. The Universal Design for Learning supports individual learning by recognizing and minimizing barriers through the recognition (what of learning), strategic (how of learning), and affective (why of learning) networks. Multimedia tools such as Kidspiration, PowerPoint, and text-to-speech software offer choices for students and help build examples that suit their instructional needs. To provide practice and feedback for students, digital tools such as word processing applications, class response systems, and the internet. In order to meet diverse needs we must also give students the opportunity to pursue their interests. Using videos, Webquests, and virtual simulation will increase their enthusiasm for learning. Even with the most structured learning goals educators can provide the flexibility necessary to meet the needs of diverse learners.

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//**Embedded Course Assignments**//