Course+Reflection+EDLD+5363


 * Course Reflection EDLD 5363**

 1. As for all courses that I have taken through Lamar and any other school I always envision learning new ways to apply my knowledge. I consider myself a digital native, but realize that there is always information to learn. Although I have used photostory, moviemaker, and audacity, I still learned new aspects of it. To be a good integrator of technology in an affective way I have to realize that my knowledge is important, but that I do not know everything. Although some of the information was repetitive, I still learned new ideas from classmates and readings. Technology is an ever changing field, and for a teacher or anyone in the education field to realize this is of the utmost importance. With all of this new information in mind, I realize that I was able to achieve all of my goals for the course. These goals were not necessarily to learn something new, but to learn how to use the programs differently.

2. The outcomes that I achieved are very relevant to the work that I do. The course just finished was multimedia and video technology. This is a topic that I am very interested in right now. I teach children with autism, and I have become very involved in sharing my knowledge of using these type of web 2.0 tools in modified and adapted ways. My students have enjoyed creating photostories, podcasts, and videos throughout the school year. Learning new ways to use the different types of programs to create podcasts and vodcasts is always very important. The students that I work with are non-verbal or have very low verbal skills. Offering these different types of ways to allow them to communicate different thoughts have been very important in my classroom. The blog that our class created with our different podcast and vodcast has been viewed all over the world. Having this course only allowed me to try new ways of creating ways of introducing new media in my class. I am always grateful for new tips and techniques that I learn.

3. I was able to achieve all of my goals for this course. I have become very involved in a Professional Learning Network. By being involved in my PLN I was able to ask questions that my group in the class had. These questions were not necessarily ones they did not know, but ones that they wanted to have a different outlook on or other ideas. A very convenient website that was shared through my PLN was [|www.mediafire.com]. By having access to this site our group was able to upload and share media files to create our group PSA. There are so many resources that are so readily available that all is needed is a little leg work. I learned how to do new things in audacity. My goal is to always learn something new, and I have always accomplished this in some form.

4. During this course I was able to complete all course assignments. I was very lucky and was able to work with a very cohesive team. When this class started, I was a little apprehensive about having to complete a group project. This was only because we are all so spread out, and I am so used to doing group projects at a team member’s house. Doing the group projects was easy because of our team and how we were able to figure out how to communicate effectively.. I also found some of the assignments were easy due to my previous knowledge. Having previous knowledge and always wanting to learn new things made the assignments fairly easy. I have enjoyed all of the classes, because it has given me a chance to use my brain, develop new skills, and meet other people with my same interest.

5. Like all of my courses, I learned many things. I think the most important item that was learned from this course is the importance of good teamwork. Teamwork is sometimes hard when it comes to technology. When I see the word group work I always get very anxious. I have had so many experiences with group work where I end up doing most or all of the work. This class taught me the power of teamwork and how groups are supposed to collaborate and work together. I learned in this course that is okay for someone else to share in the work. I was able to collaborate with a great team that made me not so nervous to work as a group. When it comes to technology I am very knowledgeable and do not mind asking for help when I don’t know the answer. As far as leadership skills I have learned to voice my opinions. With the help of all of the courses I have the courage to start presenting on some of my knowledge in the podcasting and vodcasting areas. I also realize that I am a continuous learner.

