Thoughtful+Analysis

=Thoughtful Analysis﻿ = = = Overall, I found this course to be so useful and I learned so much. When I started this class, I thought I knew a pretty good amount about technology and could use most programs. Throughout this semester, I found that I didn't know as much as I thought! This course has taught me about my strengths and weaknesses in regards to technology. I think that I have the patience to use technology and recognize its importance in education. This is my greatest strength, the patience and willingness to learn how all of these applications and programs can be used in a classroom. On the other hand, my greatest weakness is that sometimes I think I know more than I really do. When using technology, I must make sure that I take enough time to learn how to use the various programs before I actually try to use them. I often get ahead of myself and want to start working right away, without taking time to learning all the details of a program.

I hope to incorporate all of these great resources into my teaching; I think that they are all practical and easy to use. I enjoyed learning most about the Google Applications. I think that Google Docs is such a great way to collaborate in a unique, fun way. This is the one application that I have used numerous times outside of this course. It is such an easy way to work with others who are unable to meet at one time in one place. It makes working in groups so much easier. I also really enjoyed making the podcast; this application is so versatile and can be used in so many ways. It's great way for students to present information in a fun way, through song, reading, speeches, and video, etc. Along with these two favorites, I hope I am able to use all these applications and programs in my future classroom.

I can think of so many great ways to use these programs in my teaching, I think the blog is a great way to allow students to express themselves and have a place to organize and display all of their writing. The data analysis (surveys and polls) are such an easy way for me to learn from my students! I can create surveys and polls to collect data about how my students like to learn and monitor their progress throughout the school year. I hope that I will have the resources to use Google Earth in my class as well, which would be great for geography lessons. Google Reader would be such a helpful way for students to do research and look up current events. Making a podcast would be beneficial to students who have a hard time expressing themselves through writing. It gives students a creative outlet; allowing them to create something on their own would tap into their critical thinking skills. Video conferencing is a great alternative to teaching; sometimes it is difficult to bring in guest speakers but programs such as Magpi provide great alternative lessons through video conferencing. All of the programs we learned to use this semester are so beneficial to teaching.

I think using technology in education is so important, especially in this day and age. It would be ignorant to leave technology out of the classroom completely. Technology is such a big part of students' lives; this fact is undeniable. Although I think that children rely too heavily on technology, it is still important. It should be used as a tool to help aid teaching but not as the main means of doing a lesson. It should simply be used as a resource, it is still up to the teacher to make learning meaningful. Technology will play a huge role in the future of education.