1. During the course of this class, I've truly learned more than from any other class. iGoogle has been by far my most favorite thing I've learned about. I love all the gadgets that I can use to create my own personal page. The world of Google really is truly amazing. Creating a presentation through Docs was my favorite project, definitely fun, and learning how to navigate iTunesU was another biggie for me. I actually like blogging and it's something I'll continue to do after this class. Making the connections we did through comments4kids and comments4teachers will help us (teachers) understand others better, and be able to learn from others. ALEX and ACCESS are two of the best websites I've ever used, and I KNOW I'll be using them in the future... I've already used them for other classes this semester! Comments4Classmates was a really good way to get us to read our peers' blogs and to get to know them. Besides the presentations, I probably liked this best.
2. One of the main components of this class was being able to manage time appropriately. Even though I certainly played catch up a lot, this is not something that comes easily to me, and maybe I didn't learn as much as I should have. Through my fault alone I've created a speed bump, however, recognizing this and stating so will allow for future learning (in a more time productive way).
3. I will definitely try as hard as I can to forget about Google Earth! Okay, that's virtually impossible since that project actually brought tears to my eyes! What an annoying program, I hate it! I'm sure the greatest science teacher in the world somewhere has done amazing things with his classroom using this tool, but I think I'm okay with never clicking on that blue and white ball ever again.
4. I have mixed emotions about the excitement I've had for this class. I HONESTLY was excited about it at first... I was excited about starting my technological journey, excited to learn tools I've never used before, and work with students that I had just met. I shouldn't have taken a class that was only once a week, and independent learning is not my cup of tea... I prefer collaboration and spending class time working on projects. I feel my 9 hours outside of class should have focused more on maintenance, rather than production.
5. The most intellectually challenging part of this course was adapting to Dr. Strange's teaching modalities. I feel twisted inside knowing and appreciating his reasoning, yet want to scream at the top of my lungs at the unorganization! Yes, it's there... in black and white, it's on the blog, it's in the post, it's in your gmail, it's in a doc... OMG! Enough already! I think I've become a more intelligent person just being able to make it though that Strange syllabus!
6. Boring is a word that cannot come CLOSE to compare my reflection of this course. In fact, I would have been more happy using our class time to work on more together. The very last night of class was nice when everyone was walking around helping each other out. I would have liked to see that through the entire semester. Although it's physically difficult for me to just SIT for so long sometimes, the work I got done never bored me. The assignments were appropriate, relevant, and effective (there's those two words again).
7. What I would change about the class is I would spend more time in the classroom and less on independent learning. If a student wishes to do online work only, an online EDM class should be available and for those of us who like to go to class, we should HAVE CLASS. I want to learn. I want my teacher to be with me, work with me, and help me along the way. Is that too traditional?? Is that too needy of me? Maybe I should focus more on being an independent learner? The anxiety I feel from this class has been from the lack of guidance (not the workload) which I crave, given my long personal history of low guidance.
8. I am without a doubt technologically literate. I have a LONG way to go, but I am more than well on my way to understanding myself more, as well as navigating though the web, and being able to use resources and tools for my future as a teacher. That being said, I don't have a desire to use technology every single day, and I would encourage more screen time be used spent outside in the sun!
9. The maintenance of my technological literacy throughout the rest of my schooling will be upheld through my blogs and keeping in touch with the people I've made contact with during this course. A lot of the teacher's blogs we've read have great ideas and continuing to collaborate, teaching others what I've learned, and my own person search for intrinsic guidance will improve my technological literacy.
Holly, thank you for your honest reflections. I personally like the idea of offering an online section of EDM310.
ReplyDeleteI understand that you felt there was a lack of guidance. As we advance to each new level of education the responsibility for the learning, maintenance of requirements, and time naturally falls more and more to the student. I understand that it was provably a little uncomfortable but you have made it through and in my opinion done well. So, while it may have been tough you have persevered and gained some intrinsic skills that will be of value to you in the future.
I am impressed with the way you have pulled things together and your work overall looks great! Keep up the good work. SS
"I would spend more time in the classroom and less on independent learning." Unfortunately, it will never happen. You will see more and more classes at South move to instruction delivered outside the classroom. The budget cuts that are being implemented in Alabama are truly draconian. The luxury of small classes and direct instruction is doomed whatever we may think of it. EDM310 is an attempt to see how to make the best of it in a changed world. We have more to do, but if we do not succeed I fear that classes will become even more burp back lectures graded with multiple choice questions. And that would, in my opinion, be truly disastrous!
ReplyDelete"...we should HAVE CLASS. I want to learn. I want my teacher to be with me, work with me, and help me along the way. Is that too traditional?? Is that too needy of me? Maybe I should focus more on being an independent learner? " ABSOLUTELY! That is the way the world works now! I'll let you in on a secret. I have NEVER taken a single class related to technology. Ever. I have never take a single course in a College of Education. Ever. No teachers beside me to hold my hand. I had to use my PLN to find people to help me solve the problems I faced. Or solve them myself. All I have learned about technology and teaching/education/learning is the result of experience. Experience is the very best teacher of all. The world is VERY DIFFERENT from the ideal environment that makes you feel comfortable. At least as you describe it.
I would encourage more screen time be used spent outside in the sun! You could decide to be a lifeguard! More time in the sun. Of course, you could say "As much sun as possible while I can because as a teacher there will be NO time in the sun!"
"I am more than well on my way to understanding myself more" Wonderful!
"I would encourage more screen time be used spent outside in the sun!" are your words. I failed to enclose the sentence in quotation marks in my comment above.
ReplyDeleteI meant to conclude with this sentence of yours: "...I've truly learned more than from any other class." So it worked for you despite all of your protestations!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments, gentlemen. Without the self-assessment and self-reflection skills I've gained from this class, I wouldn't make it much farther than I am right now. I am now more than prepared for any obstacle to come my way, and I know my students will be the ones to benefit from this. Thank you both so much! (On a side note: my students and I will definitely enjoy being outside and being as active as possible. An intelligent mind with an unhealthy body is an undesired effect that I will not allow myself or my students to think is acceptable.)
ReplyDelete