My favorites tools were Jing and Screencast, Animoto and Google Docs. I can foresee many uses for these tools. As for my students, I want to use more videos in my instruction of reading strategies, and have kids practice different skills on the iTouch. To showcase their learning, I would like them to create books on Bookr and comic strips on Bubblr.
My thinking about the learning that will take place in my classroom has been transformed. As I mentioned throughout my posts, teaching is not just talking AT the kids, and it cannot take place in only one dimension, such as paper and pencil. Technology has become a venue for what I've been calling "teachnology." This term I've coined for my blog and posts means that technology has taken the teaching and learning in the classroom to new heights. Whereas I was once reluctant to embrace technology because I didn't think myself tech savvy, I'm now experiencing a paradigm shift. I feel learned and more confident in my skills. There are now so many different ways to share information and therefore, to gain information. We as educators are teaching by modeling how to gather and share information, while our students are gaining knowledge from us, each other and the WWW.
Surprising outcomes from the 11tools? Certainly a few. I appreciated how the course was online, and you could pace yourself however you wanted. You could also choose how extensive you wanted your posts to be. Having that flexibility make it manageable and more enjoyable. I chose to make my posts elaborate for myself because I was learning so much! I did enjoy all the learning, and was surprised at all the new things I had never heard of before. I wanted to get the most out of these tools to increase my knowledge of "teachnology" as well as use the finished products in the future. Nonetheless, it did take me numerous days and hours to complete the tools, and I'm thankful to summer vacation for that!
I'm proud to be finished with these 11 tools and to say, ' "Teachnology" is here to stay!'
Congrats! You are now a certified Craftsperson! I think your eloquent reflections speak to exactly the end result this training was geared to achieve. I see you as a true "Teachnology" leader on our campus and will certainly call upon your newfound knowledge for advice and ideas.
ReplyDeleteMillie