Final Post

The assignment description said each question needed to be a paragraph each. I was not sure if that would translate well into a video, so I am writing it this time.

1. What have you learned in this class? What are your major takeaways?
I have learned that there are so many different ways to use technology to teach students.  These many methods make it easy for me as a teacher to differentiate for the students.  Technology can also make my life easier for grading and the other organizational aspects of teaching that do not come naturally to me.  I also learned what a flipped classroom is, and I have become quite excited to try this method out as a teacher.

2. How has your attitude toward educational technology changed, if at all? Why?
There is really one place where my attitude toward educational technology has shifted.  I used to be adamant against students having phones in class.  Now I can see some of the benefits of having those there, on both an educational and a managerial level.  I think it would be good to have students put their phones on their desks where I can always see them, and give them opportunities to use them in class, whether it is to look something up or to participate in an online survey.  I think it would build trust for me from the students, because they will know that I understand that phones can be a useful tool, as well as a distraction.  I think there is a balance there that I had not realized before.

3. How will you and your students use technology to improve instruction and learning? Provide a few specific examples. Why will you use technology in these ways?

I love doing video and audio projects, and I cannot wait to use some of the tools from this class to help students learn in an exciting.  I think a historical documentary, for example, is a way more fun alternative to a paper.  True, they do need to learn how to write a decent paper, but I think they can learn to express their ideas in other formats that are often more applicable to their futures.  I would also like to set up some sort of continuing class podcast or blog.  I think that would be an easy way to build class community and to check on student learning.

4. How might I improve this class for future students so that it is more meaningful?

I am honestly struggling to answer this question.  This was my favorite class this term; I had so much fun and I learned a ton.  I think the webquest makes a better key assignment than the digital story, so that would probably be my biggest complaint.