EDLD+5364+Teaching+with+Technology+Course+Reflections

= = **Course Reflection Prompts** **1. What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned?** This course introduced me to new ideas about teaching with technology. I am currently in a position in my district in which I am responsible for supporting teachers with technology integration so I was hoping that I would get a few new tools for my toolbox. I was not disappointed. I have a new, favorite book, //Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works// by Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn and Malenoski that will help me as I reach out to teachers who are willing to try new things and experiment with technology. With this book I have gained new resources to introduce to teachers to help them transform their classrooms into 21st Century learning environments where technology is as normal as pencil, paper and chalk. Since we didn’t read the entire book I look forward to reading it from start to finish.

As Coordinator of Instructional technology in my district, I wear many hats. One of my main duties is to coordinate technology staff development for the district. With such varying degrees of technology proficiency, literacy and access to hardware and software, it can be daunting. Sometimes I feel separated from the curriculum department and haven’t been able to share with teachers some of the same experiences that they get with the core curriculum facilitators. Because of this class, I feel more prepared to offer some of the same experiences. I never thought that I would be able to conduct a book study that would be meaningful to teachers. But now I have a book to share. I am very excited about the possibilities of this adventure and hope that it will make a difference for teachers in my district.
 * 2. To the extent that you achieved the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not?**

One of the most challenging parts of this class was learning about the UDL lesson plan. I think this was one of those topics that I really needed to have hands on, face-to-face instruction. Most of the time I can read and learn but there are also times when I really need to see things to truly grasp the information. In this case I felt like I needed to be with other people working through the UDL Lesson Builder before I tried it on my own. I found myself continually going back and forth between the chapter readings on the CAST website and my UDL lesson template. I also referred to the model lessons plans often. And through it all I am still not sure if I fully grasp the UDL concept. I understand the rationale and I see the value but I need lots more practice.
 * 3. What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?**

Some weeks the course assignments take more time to complete than other weeks. In some cases it is the nature of the assignment and at other times it is just me having a mental block. When we were responsible for creating our own UDL lesson, it took me forever to decide on something to do. I was able to finally get something together because of my teammates. Once I saw what they were doing, it gave me confidence to take the leap and just start putting ideas into the lesson plan template. Once I got started the ideas kept flowing and I was able to accomplish the task. It takes me back to my own school days. I had major test anxiety when I was in high school. Timed tests were a nightmare for me because I just drew a blank for the first five minutes of the test. With the Book Builder assignment I did the same thing. I looked at it and thought it was going to be so hard. But, it turned out to be very easy. So it looks like sometimes I am my own worst enemy,
 * 4. Were you successful in completing the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?**

The discussion board seems to be a place that allows me to learn a little about myself. Many of the people in my class are classroom teachers. It is interesting to see the perspectives of classroom teachers as opposed to my perspective as someone that is at the district level. I have discovered how my own perspective has changed because of my opportunity to see a bigger picture than I saw in the classroom. The discussions are a reminder of how being in my own little world in the classroom as a teacher keeps me focused on the things that affect me and my students as opposed to how things affect everyone in the district. In this course I also that my teammates had different expectations of me than they had for the other team members based solely on my title. The one thing I have realized is that it is a title. I see myself as a teacher.
 * 5. What did you learn from this course: about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes?**