Final Class Reflection

Before I started this course, I was pretty comfortable with using technology in the classroom but I wanted to learn how to complete the connection to become a more-seamless entity than just "everyone take out your iPads and click on this app" or "please gather around the Smartboard." I have learned of different apps and practiced different ways to collaborate in a different environment than I am used to since using technology as a teacher or co-worker can be very different than using it as a student. I will try to integrate technology into activities rather than just having a few activities that use technology. In some ways I have made great leaps, for example, at the beginning, I used my Smartboard as a projection screen and that's it. Now it is a note pad, projector, management tool, information gatherer, and so much more. I am really looking forward to taking the time to stretch my uses of the Smartboard in my classes while being very aware of the need to give students time to practice with new tools so they can become comfortable with their use and expand their knowledge of what can be done. While my skills are advancing by leaps and bounds, my utilization has stagnated a little because of the lack of dependable technology available in my classroom (the library.) I need to plan in even more detail given that I need to either book the netbook cart (provided no one else needs it) or have the older grades come with their iPads. I could have them bring them every time but I think it might be a distraction if they had them and ended up not using them. I've also learned that just because you use technology, doesn't mean it will work for every student. I love WIKIs and was very excited when I learned that this course would use the WIKI but as the course progressed I found that the format was not free-flowing or user-friendly for me. Just an example of how we need to make sure that the way we use technology makes learning richer for our students. Now to reflect on the course objectives individually!

• Provide instruction and modeling regarding digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information.
• I strive to use positive digital interactions personally and when demonstrating technology to my students. I have used Google docs and forms at work and with students both as an initiator of the doc/form and as a collaborator with teammates, co-workers, and administration. We are preparing to begin our journey on the website evaluation lessons. 
• Promote and demonstrate effective use of digital tools and resources. Familiarize students with Web2.0 tools that may be used professionally or within the classroom environment to establish deeper learning experiences through proper curricular standard driven development.
• I began this school year with a Prezi to introduce myself to my students. At one point I included an Animoto video as well. I have a website to keep parents informed of happenings in the library including a blog and a links page. I introduced my 5th grade students to using Pebblego electronic database by modeling how to get into the database and how to navigate the information. I have also used several links for online shelving/book order games that the students enjoy using that reinforce information we have discussed in class.
• Become familiar with current technology issues, trends and technology use within the K- 12 environment. Discuss how technology use impacts student learning outcomes.
• In our school, the 5th and 6th graders have iPads which seems like a great thing until you have them bring them to Library and find that 20% of the students have lost the privilege of using their iPads and you have to scramble to find an alternative device/activity or pair them with someone else which reduces the effectiveness of the lesson since the students without iPads are not the most responsible and tend to fool around and distract others rather than work in pairs effectively. Our district does not allow for personal devices to be connected to the network so that limits the devices available to only those provided by the school. One cart of netbooks is available for all classrooms to use. Right now they are not updated or used very much but as the year goes on I've been told that the cart will be in high demand and I shouldn't count on having access which limits the activities I can do as a whole class. I can do smaller group activities with computers as a center but the logistics make it difficult to run a group on one side of the library (with the tables and Smartboard) while the computer group is completely around the corner. 
• Design and implement digitally-based learning experiences with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments
• As part of the Student Learning Objectives of my Unified Arts team, we are focusing on area-specific vocabulary. I will be using online games to review the words before assigning a scavenger hunt as a formative assessment. 
• Because of the lack of technology available, I am using electronic resources in research sparingly but I have created a source-citing activity that has students find the answers in different sources with only one fact being allowed from the site available on the Smartboard. I am stressing that they can use the online resource to find all the information but they must back it up with print resources. That activity will be completed by 5th graders and they will have their iPads with them to record EasyBib entries to create a works cited page.
• Establish a core personal learning network of technology leaders to follow. Utilize this new network of educators as personal professional development.
• I have brainstormed with other teachers who are more adept with Smartboard technology as well as attending Smartboard training through school.
• I have debriefed with our TI specialist on how to better integrate iPad or netbook use into specific lessons and those discussions help provide broad general ideas that inform other lessons and activities.
• I have joined several email lists that provide support when I have questions and attend webinars whenever possible given time and internet access constraints.
• Part of the purchased curriculum includes technology activities and I am trying to find ways to make everything work together for my classes.
• Use knowledge of digital tools and technology applications to facilitate experiences that advance learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.
• I have had wonderful experiences in using comic strip creation as a summative assessment in other groups and look forward to being able to find ways to include blogging, comic strips, and other presentation options once I overcome the challenges of the physical technology shortfalls.
• Evaluate, adapt, and reflect on emerging tools and trends by participating in local and global learning communities and by reviewing current research and professional literature.
• I am looking at Skype as a way to bring an author into the classroom and hope to attend technology conferences in the spring.

Overall, I can incorporate technology into my lessons and prefer to have activities using technology on a regular basis. I feel like my hands are tied in this position in that regard since there is not much technology available below the 5th grade for a whole class to use on a regular basis, but that doesn't mean I don't dream of how to incorporate it. One way is to have different activities that support each other where one uses technology and the others don't or to have stages where planning, review, evaluation, etc. occur away from the computers to allow a rotation of resources. Anyone coming to observe me over a period of time will see me using my Smartboard on a daily basis as a message board, notepad, and/or activity center while striving to include student interaction with technology as often as possibly able.