Final Post

This is my final post for the technology class. It really has been fun this semester. I have learned a lot about technology and its uses in education. I think my class will be more engaging and enjoyable because I can now use my resources more effectively.

Critical Thinking of Web Tools

• Thinking Actively- This class has helped me to be an active thinker and how to use technology as an aid to my teaching. We don't have to use technology just to use technology but to enhance the learning of the students. I can really deal effectively with others and questions about technology.
• Carefully Exploring Situations-When we look at what we have done in our technology class we can really tell that we have explored many forms of technology and their uses for educators. WE learn how to carefully look at what there is to use and what tools will be most useful. I like the OTEN conference because it has really helped me to look at what we can use and how to use it effectively.
• Thinking for Ourselves- Now that Anita has showed us things like Web 2.0 tools and how to use the TPACK model in everything we use in technology we can use what will work best for us in our classroom.
• Viewing Situations from Different Perspectives- The OTEN conference really showed us how to look at things in other perspectives and to really think outside the box. I think using my web site to help the learning of the students has changed my view of technology. I think using it in the right way technology is very useful.

Evaluation of Tools

I really think that the best tool we looked at was google because of the many uses it has and can be really used in the class. The blog can also be a great tool to keep as something that can help in reflection and keep a journal of your class. All the other things like flickr, twitter, feeds, wikis and others are great if used right and you really take time to learn how to use them. There is so much on the web and tools that you can use in technology that you really have to be careful that you don't over use something. If all we are using is technology and really don't have a pedagogical reason for using it I think it really shouldn't be used.

Application of Tools

The tools that we looked at can really be used in many ways. I really can't wait to use the web site that I built in my class so I can see if it will be used in the right way and if it will do what I want it to do.

Learning

I have learned so much in this class and I really can't wait to use what I have learned. The best thing about this class is that it is very useful for my education and learning as an educator. I hope to use things in a proper way and to really have a reason for using the technology I use in my class. There is so much out there and it is always changing and new things are added daily. Since there are so much out there we really need to be active researchers and everyday be looking for things that will help us become better educators. I hope to never stop learning new things.

Goals

• Have my own class web site
• Always learn
• Use all my resources
• Have a reason for doing everything I do as a teacher and know why I do something
• Be a good teacher
• Always have fun

The class web site is the biggest thing I'm going to take away from this class. If I didn't take this class I probably wouldn't have seen how useful a class web page could be. I know I wouldn't have created my own web site for my class. Technology can be scary but it has become less scary for me since this class. I just need to take chances and not worry about failure.