Summary of Learning

Topics that Impacted Me

• The importance of sharing
• The concept of TPACK
• eBooks in the classroom
• Tech tools for students
• Technology for teachers

The Importance of Sharing

• Dean Shareski's video "Sharing: The Moral Imperative." Are we obligated to share?
• I reflected on this topic on the post, "The Importance of Sharing."
• Conclusion: We don't have to share information, but if the information has a chance to make someone's life easier, why wouldn't we?

The Importance of Sharing (con.)

• Is sharing an obligation? Does my institution see value in sharing? How will sharing help my students?
• Conclusion: Teaching is basically sharing information, therefore teachers need to share. My professors share with me, so my institution values sharing. Students learn when information is shared.
• Sharing = learning. Sharing = obligation.

The Concept of TPACK

• TPACK: Technological, Pedagogical, Content Knowledge.
• How does TPACK work?
• Dr. Holiday's video on TPACK: Consider your goal before using technology in the classroom for best results..
• Reflected on in blog post "TPACK: The Overlapping Knowledge of Technology, Pedagogy, and Content"

The Concept of TPACK (con.)

Technology in the classroom can be beneficial, but you must consider the goal before integrating it. Technology is a tool, not a replacement for instruction.

eBooks in the Classroom

• John Smith's video "The World is My Audience."
• Question: How do we motivate students to complete assignments? Answer: Make the assignment meaningful!
• Question: How do we motivate students to complete writing assignments? Answer: Have them publish a class eBook and make it publicly available!

eBooks in the Classroom (con.)

• Reflection in the blog post "A Purpose for eBooks (in the Classroom!)"
• As a student, I wonder, "What's the purpose of this assignment? Why should I do it?"
• Sometimes explaining the abstract concept of "this will help you because..." isn't good enough. So give students a concrete reason to be motivated.

Tech Tools for Students

• Integrating technology in the classroom can be as easy as giving students tools to use.
• "Cool Tools" are tools that can help students in the classroom.

Tech Tools for Students (con.)

• I used and reviewed five cool tools during the semester.
• Cool tools used: Bubblr, mindmeister, WeVideo, Ribbet!, Prezi.
• Most useful tools for my students: mind mapping tools and storytelling tools.

Technology for Teachers

• Technology in the classroom isn't just for students. Technology can benefit teachers, too.
• Teachers use cool tools like powerpoint and prezi for their lectures.
• Reflected on in the blog post "Technology: Making Teaching Easier."

Technology for Teachers (con.)

• Technology for teachers: Google docs, Remind, Virtual Assistant, Socrative.
• Technology for teachers helps teachers to stay focused; stay connected with students, parents, and other teachers; stay organized.

These topics impacted me the most because I am a teacher, and by sharing I am teaching; because using technology to enhance my instruction (my pedagogy and content knowledge) is important for 21st century classrooms; because making a tangible artifact (like an eBook) with my students so that they realize the importance of what they're learning can benefit their drive to learn; and because the cool tools that can help my students as well as the technology available to help me as a teacher is key to incorporating technology into the classroom. All of these topics have to do with 21st century learning and teaching in a technologically advanced society.

I've had teachers who use technology in the classroom just because they could, which took away from the lesson and was very distracting. Because of this, I'm wary of incorporating technology into my own classroom.

The course Educational Technology has helped me realize the many different ways that I can use technology in my classroom, and all the different ways it can help my students.

I'm still a bit wary of using technology in the classroom, but learning all of the different ways that I can incorporate it into my classroom has eased my nerves a bit. The course Educational Technology is the first stepping stone on my journey to become a 21st century, tech-savvy teacher.

End