Reflections+on+assignments+in+EDLD+5364-+Teaching+with+Technology

The title of this course promised content with which I felt familiar and a movement toward technology integration, a train I had already boarded. I expected to sail through the coursework, but I was startled in Week One to discover that the required project was a collaborative online project with people whom I had never met, did not live near, and had very different experiences and knowledge to contribute. I knew immediately that I had under-estimated the course and would have to make a shift in my thinking right away.

I felt a great deal of stress about this project because we could not come together to have thorough discussions and develop a unified plan. Each group member shared significant pieces, and I learned from everyone's contributions. I was concerned that the format of the assignment resulted in a disjointed end product. Regardless, the lesson plans, technology learning activities, and perspectives shared through the assignment were all high quality.

Wikis and online collaborative tools have been valuable throughout the program, and I learned more about their application within this project. Students may be able to develop an entire portfolio of work that demonstrates their learning in multiple ways. A class may choose to create a group wiki that houses digital media that demonstrates their knowledge of a particular skill or concept. Sites such as Glogster.edu allow students to create and select visuals and audio as well as hyperlink to files or other sites. Students at various levels may create blogs (or Glogs) of varying complexity, but all could be assessed with a rubric that details the requirements for demonstrating learning progress and mastery. Technology tools such as these are particularly useful because of their flexibility and wide accessibility. Students may work as quickly or slowly as is appropriate for their unique learning style and needs. They also may work from a variety of settings-- classroom, lab, home, hospital, coffee shop-- anywhere with internet access.

This course was probably the most challenging (and honestly, unpleasant) experiences in the program. I was out of my element, was working with group members who felt equally uncomfortable, and we could not come together in real time. I can see the value in the work now, but it felt a lot like doing push ups and sit ups!

Sources

(n.d.). Team reflections - teach tech project. Retrieved from []. - See more at: http://www.citelighter.com/ext/project_view/35958#sthash.VEPKidJh.dpuf