Final Reflection & Synthesis

 

What did you learn or “take-away” from this course and how has your perspective about integrating technology into K to 6 education changed/grown throughout the course?

The fact that technology can be a useful and effective learning tool that enhances students' learning is my greatest "take-away" from our current and emerging technology course. Prior to this semester and practicum, I only considered technology to be a learning distracting factor for students; it also means more screen time, which I think kids need less of. In contrast, I was able to use technology in a variety of ways throughout my practicum to give my students engaging and unique learning opportunities. After completing my practicum, I am unable to envision how I would have employed technology in the classroom if I hadn't previously completed this course. I was aware that the Smartboard could be used to incorporate technology into the classroom, but I didn't realize how many other options there are to employ technology in the classroom for learning. Technology is employed in schools more now than it was a decade ago, and it has advanced significantly with no immediate intentions to slow down. We live in an ever-evolving technological environment, as I have mentioned in previous blog articles; as educators, we thus need to be aware of this and successfully integrate technology in relevant ways. One of the most essential lessons I learned from taking EDUC 3326 was how crucial it is to incorporate technology into the classroom, but also how exciting and fun it can be.

How did this course help you answer your “burning” question about the use of digital technologies in K to 6 education?

It was far more simple and inspiring to want to incorporate and learn new technologies than I could have ever anticipated. It was a great reward to use new technologies in the classroom to see how excited students become when they are able to access different approaches to learning.

    

My burning question at the beginning of the semester: 

In the age of  digital dependence, to what extent do we celebrate educational technology in the classroom, and how can we integrate it in meaningful ways?

 

My end of semester response: 

I feel that I now see technology as something that has a critical place in the classroom, but not an all encompassing one. The answer to the question is yes, we are in an age of digital dependence (I remember the panic I had when we thought our smartboard was broken for a day), but this need not be a negative. If we are living in such dependence, all that is required of us is to use it in “meaningful ways.” To do this, we need to equally look at the opportunities we have to both use and abstain from technology. I found myself asking frequently “is this necessary for the learning task or can we do it without using technology?” If the answer was overwhelmingly yes, it is necessary, I found the use of technology was better received, and more beneficial for my students. Technology offers unique learning opportunities insofar as they are ones students might not otherwise have access to. I can now see how important it is to incorporate technology into the classroom because it provides tools that can improve learning (i.e. speech to text for ELL students and other differentiation strategies). Although I still think that balance should be preserved. 

How did you contribute to the learning of others?

During my practicum, I used technology a lot more than I had anticipated. To begin, I used the smartboard every single day for instruction and offering interactive learning opportunities. I also found this to be an incredible tool for me as an educator in terms of accompanying my lesson planning. One of my key takeaways from using technology was through using it in an assistive way for differentiation. Some of my ELL learners used ipads throughout every lesson to translate; we offered explicit instruction on how to use the chrome extension ReadWrite for all students; we also used Speechify often with students. I encouraged students to use their chromebooks as I taught them how to conduct research and engage in an inquiry unit. I also had students use ipads to explore different apps for learning. In addition, students had a culminating presentation which required them to create a mini slideshow presentation. As a form of assessment, I also used games (such as google forms or kahoot). An aspect of technology that stands out to me was offering opportunities for structured impulse and brain breaks through the use of Movement Breaks; to do these I used spotify multiple times on the smartboard throughout the day.

While teaching, I had the opportunity to integrate the following programs into my practice: 

• Google Slides 

• YouTube

• Spotify

• CLIPS - Video making app on the iPad

• iPad Cameras - Photo and Video

• GarageBand on the iPad 

• Jamboard 

• Wordle, Heardle, and Nerdle 

• Zoom & Google Meet 

• Google for research 

• SkyviewLite

• Stellarium Web

• Rothney Astrophysical Observatory

• Kahoot

• Quizizz 

• Google Forms

What did you learn from others?

To begin, I worked with my critical friend on every project throughout this course. We supported one another, read one another's blogs, provided one another with comments, assisted one another in understanding this course's assignments, and worked together on discussions. I think that our collaboration was advantageous to both of us. This semester, my teachers, peers, and mentor teacher have engaged in reciprocal learning. I never thought of myself as tech-savvy, but I have developed and discovered so much. Overall, I've discovered that when used actively, technology is a tool that actually enhances student learning. During practicum, I got the chance to investigate a wide variety of approaches to accomplishing learning goals, and I will continue to look for new learning opportunities to ensure I successfully integrate technology into the classroom. This semester, I was able to encourage my peers to try out various apps that I really like and to use technology in the classroom to differentiate instruction. I openly discuss my use of read-and-write software for personal use as well as communication apps for pupils I've previously worked with. The interesting programmes my peers found useful to employ in the classroom were equally of service in my learning. I'm excited to improve my abilities in my fourth-year practicum!