I am very proud of the work I’ve done and the growth I’ve achieved in this course. Although I’ve felt confident with the technology that we’ve used, I did my best to place my self, responsibly, in areas that I did not feel comfortable. First, regarding Instructional Design, it was difficult for me to understand what was been asked. With help from my instructor and classmates I was able to see the important factors that make it powerful. By understanding the desired results from a lesson, having the proper assessment evidence, providing the proper learning plan, and the necessary accurate reflection, I was able to understand what the teachers need to provide to the students. Second, my growth increased as I discovered Merlot and the many lessons to use, evaluate, and learn from. My work with Merlot gave me the opportunity to see much more that I’ve previously encountered in lessons, assignments, assessments, etc. Working with Merlot allowed me to understand how many other educators have had the same questions and confusions that I have faced. Third, the WebQuest and Web and Product Design were good assignments were I could display some of my best work, and it opened my eyes to the future use of these in and out of the classroom. Fourth, Universal Design for Learning and Assistive Technology allowed me to push my lesson design further and create a much more productive and proactive lesson. Finally, with Web 2.0 and Online Learning, with my work, I was able to better understand how fast technology improves and how it affects the classroom. That said, some of the areas of personal growth during this educational journey were the following. First, thanks to Merlot, it was the manner in which a lesson is evaluated for proper function. Thanks to collaborating and sharing there are a many lessons that educators can use. By using more formal evaluation processes we can look for the proper materials that would work the best in the classroom by meeting the needs and requirements regarding technology and/or subject content. Second, the use of Universal Design for Learning and Assistive Technology was intuitive, logic, and eye opening. By following certain principles like providing multiple means of representation, providing for multiple means of expression, and providing multiple means of engagement, better more complete lessons can be provided to learners. Third, I would have to say that the discovery of Merlot opened my eyes to many more resources that were available to be used. To have a free, world wide, open online community of resources designed for educators and learners, was a great jaw dropping realization. I’m a big believer in not re-inventing the wheel, and this allows for the sharing and the possible collaboration of resources. As we speak collaboration, the most important support I received during my learning process came from my classmates, as they allowed me to ask questions and provided me with insightful and accurate answers, and from my instructor who guided me through the individual obstacles I encountered. Although I feel confident that I contain the proper knowledge to carry out all of these lessons, I wish I would have expanded my knowledge about UDL and Assistive Technology. In my opinion, what limited my learning was the many correct angles that can be used in the creation of a lesson, making it easy to get lost in all the possible things that can be done. Also, UDL and Assistive Technology can reach much further than the classroom and I consider that very powerful.
In my opinion, regarding what I’ve learned about effective teaching strategies and technology, the most important note I have learned is that their effectiveness increases when they are paired with the proper technology. Educators can create or modify existing lessons to reach and engage multiple students at a time. By integrating web-based technologies, as educators, we are forced to see the versatility that it is offered as plans for materials will be used as the educational content for the year is being discussed. As I think about my own personal goals for learning about technology integration, I have to say that I have not met them. There is much more technology that can be used in the classroom. Also, if my purpose is to be in the front line of educational technology discovery and application, I don’t think I will ever meet a level of satisfaction when it comes to learning technology and implementing it in the classroom. My next step is to further develop my educational technology career, as I begin working and collaboration with other organizations, groups, companies, schools, agencies, etc. As I finish my Masters and continue to my Ph.D. I plan to be a person of influence in the educational community. I have much that I need to learn and I would like to start making the connections necessary to continue learning as often and frequently as possible. I believe that my plans for technology in the future are still developing. One thing that I already know, is that I want to take on the newest technologies developed that are not created for education and see how they can be beneficial in education. I want to train future teachers in said technologies, push them to grow and know more technologies, and help them create the proactive thought process that maintains them ahead of the curve and remain technology savvy educators. Lastly, I would like to be one of the pioneers that pushes for a reconstruction of classrooms with more technology involvement.
