End of Semester

 

• 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?

• This course has been very interesting and helpful in regards to integrating technology into a classroom, especially this year with its extenuating circumstances. At the beginning of the semester, I was worried about students relying on external technology to solve problems for them, as well as take up their free time. This worried me because of the amount of parents I would see using technology to distract their child, and how that might affect their focus and attitude towards technology in the classroom. However, in my experience this year, many students had useful knowledge to share with me about apps I thought I knew everything about. I was shocked and delighted to see that they didn't really get distracted, and stayed on task whenever they were given technology to use. I think I am still cautious about how much screen time kids are getting these days, though I am feeling better about students using their technology skills in the classroom.

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

• This course really helped me understand how we can use technology meaningfully in the classroom, not just using Kahoots and slides, but actually learning about how to research and find information, as well as give students the appropriate resources to make learning accessible. I think there was actually a large benefit to having this course online as well, as it allowed me to learn how to organize my Google files, manage tasks across disciplines, and gave me insight to the functions of Google Meet and surrounding technologies.

• How did you contribute to the learning of others?

• Over the course of this class, I contributed to the learning of others by providing feedback on my critical friends' work, as well as using technology to help my classmates connect with each other. Along with the critical friends made in class, we made a massive group chat where many students could share stressed feelings, share assignment details and resources, and even share their lessons to give other students ideas. I think this really helped other students learn, not only in an academic sense, but also in a technological sense.

• What did you learn from others?

• I learned that oftentimes I am not the only one who feels lost during some of the larger assignments, and that there is always a large support group ready to help, especially in this profession. From my classmates, I learned resilience and perseverance in academic rigor. From my mentor, I learned so much about how students learn, how to engage students, and how to improve my own teaching practice.