Apply and Discover 11.1

I can't even begin to describe the growth I've experienced while being in this class. It was nothing how I imagined it would be, for the better. I was very surprised to learn that almost everyone in the class was already a teacher. I learned so much from their wealth of teaching knowledge through our discussions. It was great to hear how things we were learning were translating into real teaching situations. I began timidly, unsure of myself or my opinions but the constant support from classmates and John bolstered my confidence and allowed me to really grow as a student. For that, I thank you all.

A few specific topics have remained in my head throughout the course. First, that teachers do not always have the resources available to them to fully utilize the technology at their finger tips. This seems to me a huge waste of money for schools. If smartboards are sitting unused in classrooms, what good can they be doing the students? That money could have been used more beneficially, if training is not going to be provided along with technological advancements. Teachers have so much to do for their students daily that teaching themselves how to use technology is an unfair added burden. The second topic that remains with me is cyberbullying. The video that we watched really stuck in my mind and heart. I truly felt for children who are victims of cyberbullying. I recently found this video on YouTube that rekindled all of those feelings. I am going to make it a point to spend a good amount of time at the beginning of the year (when I become a teacher) on the consequences of cyberbullying. I want my students to know that what they put on the internet is permanent. That their words hurt just as much in the cyberworld as they would face to face. That a computer is not a mask. No matter what age group I am teaching, these themes are important and should be enforced. The third and final topic is how fun and creative learning/teaching can be with technology. With all of the Web 2.0 tools at our disposal, teachers can revolutionize their lessons. Blogs, WebQuests, Wordles, E-Readers, SmartBoards, Wikis, etc. can make learning interactive and individual for each learner.

I feel that after taking this class, I have the knowledge I need to be able to effectively use technology in any classroom. That confidence is very important for a teacher to be successful and I'm happy and proud to say I have it.