Final+Reflection


 * My Final Reflection on EDUC 534**

Overall I greatly enjoyed the class and all it offered. I found most technologies discussed had some form of applicability to education and today's

students. Although I found a few techs to be of superficial use at best. I enjoyed being exposed to the new technologies/websites and using them. I regret

that we didn't have a long period of time where we could get some individual time/tutoring with the Smart Board as this seems to be the most widely used of

the techs we discussed in class. I also found it extremely useful having to use the different websites/techs discussed in class; efolio, googledocs, RSS

feeds, etc. I would like to make special mention of efolio. I think this website is a very powerful tool for promoting yourself and your accomplishments to

possible future employers. It is easy to maintain, easy to access, easy to give access to others.

I think the role of technology in today's classroom is an important one although its level of importance may vary based upon the subject being studied.

Today's kids have grown up with all sorts of technologies and use them in their everyday lives outside of school so it makes sense to incorporate at least

some technology in their studies. It provides a different way of looking at something, added flexibility in instruction, access to things not available without

technology (i.e. the BBC's website with virtual tours of historical places and events). As with any tool technology comes with pros and cons. As such we

need to establish, and abide by, certain rules of use. For example, the internet can be a powerful source of learning and discovery but it also contains a lot

of filth that is not appropriate for anybody much less students. Also, there is the threat of online stalkers, child abusers, etc. Because of these threats we

need to implement controls on student access to certain sites and access of outsiders to student work/sites.

During the course of this course :) I have learned so much. I have been exposed to many new websites (toondoo, efolio, animoto, etc), technologies

(Skype, SmartBoard, wiki, googledocs, etc.). Through our use of these technologies I have learned a great deal and have already incorporated some of them

in my daily life (RSS feeds, Facebook). I will soon finish my efolio and plan to keep it up-to-date. I have also bookmarked many of the sites that I thought

would be useful either from a mathematics perspective, a teaching perspective or both and I plan to use them in my practice and share them with students

(when applicable). I also plan to download Skype so I can communicate with friends in Arizona.

Some of the things I plan to do to help me stay current on technology; Skype with friends, create and stay current with a facebook page, I attend an

annual conference for math teachers and I attend seminars related to technology and teaching applications, use my RSS feeds to stay current on news.

The two most exciting things about the new technologies; How some of them simplify things (RSS feeds, Skype, googledocs) and the new dimensions that

some can bring to teaching (some of the math sites on my delicious link, SmartBoard, etc.). I think this combination of features presents a powerful tool for

teachers, students and anybody else.