CEP 812 Final Reflection Blog (Session 4.2: Blog Assignment #2)

Effective Teaching Strategies

During this course, I have learned that I need to vary the types of instruction that are associated with implementing technology in my classroom. I have found that I tend to utilize a drill and practice technique the most when incorporating technology into my classes. I also tend to use a tutorial format as well. While these strategies have worked well in the past, I feel that I can branch out to bring more effective strategies to the students. I would like to incorporate more simulations into my science classes. These would be used as a means to allow the students to further connect to their studies.

Evaluating Uses of Technology

The biggest question that I have for web-based technologies (especially the free sites) is, "Can it work with my classroom?" I find myself asking this a lot. I have found several sites that have a lot of potential, but like many Web 2.0 items, they are not geared toward education. They may have features that could really benefit a class, but not being geared for student use means that you may get some nasty surprised from the site. Along with this idea, I find that I also wonder if the site truly meets the needs of my students. Is this something that will really benefit them, or am I looking at it because it is fun to use?

As I have become more Web 2.0 dependent, I have to remind myself that many of my students to not have access to the Internet when they are at home. Due to this, there must be adjustments made for those students. Extra time has to be allowed for students who are working with sites like Moodle, or other Web 2.0 utilities.

While some of the technology used in this course will easily be incorporated into my class, some will be more difficult. I liked the use of social bookmarking sites like Diigo, and can see my students finding them useful for projects. Blogs are a tool that I am currently working on implementing as a replacement for classroom journals. (Many of my students were excited about this possibility.) However, I personally don't see myself utilizing podcasts that much. Possibly, I could see "capturing" a lecture for students who are absent to view. Used in this manner, it could have a use in my class.

Personal Goals Met

My main goal that I have set for myself is that I want to become comfortable enough with the newer technologies (especially Web 2.0 material) so I can incorporate them seamlessly into my classes. I want to take students away from the one-on-one interaction with the computer and replace it with a collaborative approach to technology. I feel that I taken great steps toward completing this goal. I have been fortunate enough to teach a computer class this year. This has presented a group to "experiment" on, giving me an opportunity to see what will and won't work in the classroom.

New Goals

I've mentioned before that I have been using my computer applications course as a testing ground for implementing Web 2.0 technologies into my teaching. Now that I am getting a feel for it, I would like to incorporate the same Web 2.0 technologies into my science classes.

I would like to include more simulations in these classes. While I understand that the verdict is out on the usefulness of such simulations, I see them as a way for student to experience the material they are studying. In today's gaming-rich environment, it is not too hard to see how these students could better connect to the curriculum through simulations.

Another aspect to this goal is the use of these technologies in my school's science fair. Every spring we have an academic night where students display projects from all of their classes. In science, we focus on working with the scientific method and applying it to an inquiry-based project. It is the quintessential science fair, complete with science fair boards. I want to use the collaborative aspect of Web 2.0 technologies to remove the science fair boards. I want my students to work together online to create a science fair project that is interactive, and can be displayed in our computer lab for everyone to see and experience. I plan on attainting this goal by presenting the students with programs during the year that will help prepare them for this project. I am hoping that this will reignite the spark that has dwindled from our school's science fair.

Finally, my long term goal is to become more dependent on these technologies. I want my computer students to leave my room with a deeper understanding of how these technologies will benefit them. I want them to become more aware of the benefits and dangers that come with an Internet-driven society. Also, to better serve my students, I want to continue to learn more about what these technologies have to offer for myself so I can pass that information down to my students.