When I started this class I was quite fearful. I received “F”s for the last two online classes I took. In those classes I was traveling for work and never found the time to do the work. I was afraid I wouldn’t have the discipline to do the work for this class. I learned that structure is the key. Having clear guidelines make all the difference. Not giving myself too much rope to hang myself. Some things were late but I didn’t let them drag on. I also learned that I can feel community in an online class and will endeavor to create this warm community in my online presence.
Technically, I will have to guard against “tools for gizmos sake”. I just make the phrase up, but I think it has something to do with the wow factor of it all. Keeping things simple and the technology transparent will allow the students to concentrate on learning the topic at hand. Not get distracted by the bells and whistles. I will also have to be vigilant regarding tools and their compatibility and portability between browsers and operating systems.
It goes without saying that the sheer number of new tools I learned will put me far ahead some of my teaching peers and I will endeavor to assist them in learning some of these tools as it reinforces what I learned. My head is so full of ways to engage students. I want them hungry and thirsty for all this information. These tools will help me create engaging content. Being introduced to free tools means that I can ask my students to create content without an economic barrier. I want them to know what is possible for their future. I am preparing them for college. (I just thought of another presentation to create for my students… “Earning Power of a College Grad Verses a High School Grad and Drop Out”. The structures I learned this semester will also give me the ability to share what I know with anyone interested in knowing it (teachers, parents, school administrators). We don’t have to be limited by space or time. There is a kind of immortality possible by creating online content.
I will use Weebly and Voki to set up an online collaboration space for me, the students and their whole support team to create share accountability and responsibility for their learning. All the new tools I learned will help make my online content, not just interesting, but more importantly… effective. Staying in communication will be the key to maintaining a strong team. It will take a team to close the achievement gap. I am ready for the responsibility to lead that team. My whole life up to this point has prepared me for this great work. I am so grateful to my fellow students, their insight and passion fuel me. Thank you for the added skills to meet the challenges of the 21st century learner. I look forward to taking the next course.
Technically, I will have to guard against “tools for gizmos sake”. I just make the phrase up, but I think it has something to do with the wow factor of it all. Keeping things simple and the technology transparent will allow the students to concentrate on learning the topic at hand. Not get distracted by the bells and whistles. I will also have to be vigilant regarding tools and their compatibility and portability between browsers and operating systems.
It goes without saying that the sheer number of new tools I learned will put me far ahead some of my teaching peers and I will endeavor to assist them in learning some of these tools as it reinforces what I learned. My head is so full of ways to engage students. I want them hungry and thirsty for all this information. These tools will help me create engaging content. Being introduced to free tools means that I can ask my students to create content without an economic barrier. I want them to know what is possible for their future. I am preparing them for college. (I just thought of another presentation to create for my students… “Earning Power of a College Grad Verses a High School Grad and Drop Out”. The structures I learned this semester will also give me the ability to share what I know with anyone interested in knowing it (teachers, parents, school administrators). We don’t have to be limited by space or time. There is a kind of immortality possible by creating online content.
I will use Weebly and Voki to set up an online collaboration space for me, the students and their whole support team to create share accountability and responsibility for their learning. All the new tools I learned will help make my online content, not just interesting, but more importantly… effective. Staying in communication will be the key to maintaining a strong team. It will take a team to close the achievement gap. I am ready for the responsibility to lead that team. My whole life up to this point has prepared me for this great work. I am so grateful to my fellow students, their insight and passion fuel me. Thank you for the added skills to meet the challenges of the 21st century learner. I look forward to taking the next course.