EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY 1

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

REFLECTION

As a person who enjoys exploring with technology, I anticipated participating in the
Educational Technology course. I thought the course would have taught me more about
technology; however, it surpassed my expectations and also taught me how to integrate
technology in my future lessons. This course provided me with a valuable learning
experience. Not only did this course surpass my expectation, it allowed me to become engaged in
blended learning that I never even thought I would have experienced during my tenure at the
institution. The course, Educational Technology, has aided in fostering my awareness of various
technological tools and how they can be integrated in my future lessons as well as those
emerging trends.
This course has also taught me how to successfully and effectively integrate technology
in my future lessons. Thus, I have become more skillful in the manipulating of Windows Movie
Maker to create digital stories as well as Microsoft Office PowerPoint to create interactive
PowerPoint. It is through attending the Educational Technology classes that I became aware of
the ISTE standards (International Society for Technology in Education), that I should model and
apply, which should govern the creation of these tools. Also, from attending educational
technology classes, I became proficient in website creation. Also, by using my knowledge of
computers to generate new ideas, I was allowed the opportunity to demonstrate creative thinking
which is in keeping with the ISTE standards which speaks to creativity and innovation.
While attending classes I learnt that children born in the twenty first century are now
being called digital natives and that they learn in a different way from persons who were born in
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prior years. As such, I now understand that I will have to become more fluent in the digital
language. This course has also helped me to appreciate technology and social media. It has
taught me that they do not have to be dangerous. I learnt that if these tools are used appropriately
as according to the ISTE standards, can result in excellent learning outcomes. This course has
equipped me with much of the skills that are imperative to teach twenty first century learners.
From attending the classes, I have achieved a number of goals. One such achievement
was that I was able to effectively use the virtual environment, schoology, to complete weekly
tasks assigned by my lecturer as well as provide her with my feedback on the lesson. I am now
able to demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems and operations.
Communicating through this environment supported my learning, in that, it allowed me to
interact with the materials, collaborate and publish productive tools. For the past four years I
have been trying to create a website, however, I am finally successful. It is this course that has
made it possible.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Educational Technology course lasted approximately sixteen weeks between the
months of January and May 2014. Despite the minor technical problems that I experienced in the
classes, the course has proven to be effective since it fostered my development and awareness as
an individual and an emergent teacher. However, I recommend that classes be held in
environments that will provide students with excellent internet access. This will lessen the
occurrence of the teacher having to instruct students to do in class activities outside of class in
addition to the weekly assigned tasks. I also recommend that clear explanations and instructions
be provided within the classroom as well as on the virtual environment, schoology, that is used.
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This will lessen students frustration and will also allow students to complete tasks in a timely
and efficient manner.