Wow, I can’t believe it’s come to an end; 8 weeks surely does fly by! I honestly, sincerely, and wholeheartedly must say that CEP 810 has changed my goals, career and my focus. I have learned so many things in this class than I could have ever imagined. I really wasn’t sure how much I would learn considering that I am a technology teacher, however, taking this class really left me feeling empowered and inspired with a renewed sense of how I want my classroom to evolve. Back when I obtained my Bachelor’s degree there was no talk of Web 2.0. I really feel that taking this class has helped expand my growth as a lifelong learner and teacher. I was really afraid as to how I would stay constant with all of the changes in technology. I have so many tools at my disposal, and added wonderful people to my personal learning network. A few things that really stuck out to me that helped progress my growth in this class were the focus on collaboration and sharing, using Web 2.0 applications, and the SIG assignments.
Collaboration and sharing is so important within the classroom. Being a 21st century learner and developing 21st century skills is more than just working on a computer. I can really see the importance of student collaboration with each other, their teachers, and with students around the world. Students already communicate with people around the world using social networks, the Internet, and using personal devices, etc., but do they make that same correlation of communication with education? It’s important that students also have the opportunity to build their personal learning network. Personal learning networks can only grow and develop when students collaborate with others. It’s important for teachers to make sure that this collaboration and sharing among students is taking place in our classrooms. This class has really shown me the importance of this.
Not only is it important for our students to collaborate to aid in learning, it’s important for teachers to do the same thing. This class helped me set up a system of professional development in my own right, and to connect me with my own peers. My personal learning network has grown tremendously since beginning this class. The people I have met, the groups I have joined, and the resources I have developed are all a result of CEP 810. One major aspect of this course was the SIG project in which I had the liberty of working with three other amazing professionals during the class. I have to admit I was not excited about a group project as I have never been a fan of group work for myself. But I will also be the first to admit that I learned so much from developing the content of our presentation, and from the knowledgeable members of my group. I hope to stay in contact with them.
The number of Web 2.0 applications I began learning about was overwhelming toward the beginning of the course. I feel like the professors in CEP 810 did a wonderful job of helping us figure out how to “Get Things Done.” It was really important for us to find a way to organize these new learning tools and to develop a plan as to how we could integrate them into our classrooms. I believe that Web 2.0 applications are a necessary part of the education process today. Using these applications allows for teachers to effectively integrate an enormous amount of technology into the classroom. I really feel that using these technologies will actively engage students in the learning process. Before taking this course, aside from obvious technologies like Facebook and Twitter, I didn’t even know that most of them existed.
Looking back at the goals I set for myself I know that they have definitely been surpassed. I noticed when I re-read my personal growth plan that I had a broad idea of what I wanted to achieve; what I wanted to achieve barely scratched the surface of what needed to be done. I believe that taking this course has really helped me to narrow down the things that need to be achieved. My goals grew from a place of things I wanted to do to things that I will do. Taking this course helped develop a stronger confidence within myself to achieve the things that need to be done to prepare, not only my students for the 21st century, but myself as well.
Looking into the future, I plan on continuing to strengthen my personal learning network. I plan on continuing to read and research and network with colleagues. I will continue to research new Web 2.0 technologies and figure out ways to incorporate them into the classroom. I want to help other teachers learn how to integrate technology into their classes as well. I would also like to try to get my administration on board with some new technologies and integration into the classroom. So far I have met with resistance when it comes to incorporating cell phones into the curriculum. I also would like to join a professional organization. I plan on creating a new classroom website, and I'm going to incorporate Ed Modo into my classroom. My main focus next year is collaboration and sharing.
Looking into the future, I plan on continuing to strengthen my personal learning network. I plan on continuing to read and research and network with colleagues. I will continue to research new Web 2.0 technologies and figure out ways to incorporate them into the classroom. I want to help other teachers learn how to integrate technology into their classes as well. I would also like to try to get my administration on board with some new technologies and integration into the classroom. So far I have met with resistance when it comes to incorporating cell phones into the curriculum. I also would like to join a professional organization. I plan on creating a new classroom website, and I'm going to incorporate Ed Modo into my classroom. My main focus next year is collaboration and sharing.
