CEP 811 Growth

Whew! What a quick eight weeks! I have really learned so many new tools and obtained many new resources that I can use throughout the rest of my professional career.  

Through these last eight weeks I have been able to explore effective strategies for the classroom such as lecture and hands-on exploration. The idea being that there is a time and place to lecture, but when it comes to incorporating technology guiding hands-on exploration can be more effective for the learning process. 

I have also discovered web-based resources such as MERLOT that can be used as a valuable source of content as well as evaluation of materials. This is such a great resource for teachers and I think that everyone should take some time to explore this for their classroom. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/index.htm

Another tool that I am definitely going to use is UDL (Universal Design for Learning). While it is not necessary for every lesson to meet every principlee, it is important to make sure that you are differentiating your instruction with technology and this is a great guide. http://www.udlcenter.org/  

As far as the goals for the course I definitely think that I have learned some ideas for integrating technology.   It is the idea of finding a piece of technology that can be used to help SUPPORT your curriculum.  Not making the technology the game changer.   So it is the idea of taking a tool like an iPad and using it in the classroom for either teacher instruction or academic discovery.  I think there is always going to be a "new" technology to use to teach an "old" concept.  What I have learned is not to use technology for technology sake.  Use it when it can engage the students more than before!

Long term, (after this course) I would like to continue building and cultivating my PLN.  I think that having a reliable place to go to gather information and ideas for your classroom is priceless.  I hope to continue building this and hopefully begin contributing to the conversation. I know that I am going to be learning new things and I want to begin to share those with my colleagues.  That is why I am happy that this blog was created.  I hope to continue posting and sharing new ideas with whoever wants to listen!

Overall I think this class was great!  It was a great combination of reading and hands-on activities.  I hope that the remaining classes in this program are just as engaging.