At the time I began this course I had no idea on what to expect from it or where it would lead me. I just knew I wanted to obtain my Masters Degree and I loved technology. Once I began the course I began to realize how much more I wanted and needed to learn. I wanted to know more about the different technologies and how they could be used in the school setting. I have also wondered, through my years as a teacher, why some teachers fight technology so hard and even at times refuse to use it. I could never understand why or what some were so afraid of. This first course was definitely more than I expected and has answered a lot of my questions. Maybe not answered them exactly but gave me other reasons and ideas to consider. Many were things I had never thought about.
Even though I did not know, in the beginning, what my outcomes would be, I found those that I did achieve to be very relevant and helpful to me in my current position. I feel this way because I have been able to implement some of the things I have learned in my own classroom. These outcomes have also enabled me to look back and reflect on things I had already done and realize how they could have been more effective. Creating the wiki and blog were things I had never done before. Once I had finished setting those up I realized how easy they were to do and began asking myself why I had not done these before. The teachers I work are always looking for new ways to implement technology and now I can show them how and give ideas on ways to use them. They are always coming to me for assistance with technology and now I have some new ideas to share that may find just as easy to do. This new knowledge I have acquired will also assist our Campus Improvement Committee (CIC) when planning for future technology needs.
In reflecting on outcomes I did not achieve my mind is blank. Perhaps that means that I did not have any or at least nothing major. I did find the discussion board at times very stressful, especially this last week. I was able to post comments on other classmates’ quotes and feel I did ok with that. The two quotes I commented on were ones that I found interesting. So after commenting on theirs I had said I all had to say about it. Then it came time to post my own quote. The ones I came across that I wanted to or thought about posting were already posted. After reflecting and re-reading over all three readings several times I just could not find another quote that really stood out to me. I’m still working on that. I think I like discussion better when it is face to face. Every week I would try very hard to meet all of the criteria for the discussion board but it rarely went well for me.
With the exception of the discussion board I feel I was successful in completing the assignments. There were many times I felt overwhelmed by it all and questioned my decision but kept making my way through it. The assignments were difficult, long, and took many hours to complete. The length of time one part would take was the most discouraging thing to me. I really had to stick to a schedule. I would finish one week, submit it on Sunday only to be brain dead and start the process all over again on Monday. Every week I would set a goal to finish by Friday so I could have the weekend off to recoup my brain but, never made it. It is now the end of week five and I am here still working, of course this week was cut short by two days. Stressful right now, but it will be a joy to not have to work on an assignment over the weekend. Hearing Dr. Abshire and my classmates say, “You can do it!” really helped! Just knowing I was not alone in the feeling was the biggest help of all.
I have already learned so much throughout this first course. It only means there will be much more to come. My newly acquired information has caused me to reflect on my future in education and where I want to go with my career. I now know I want to go further than just being a great teacher who infuses technology. I want to lead other teachers to becoming great as well. What does this mean for me? I now have a purpose, a dream, and more desire to accomplish this for myself. I have always been interested in technology and have also loved teaching. My life the last couple of years have been tough and I have wanted and needed more. I think I have found it. The articles I was assigned to read were very enlightening. They helped me to understand even more how important infusing technology into our classroom instruction is to our future and our 21st century learners. I know I can do this! I know I will be great at it! I want to be a great leader. Thinking and being positive is my new attitude. All I ask is that my classmates remind me of this once in a while as we go through the next course. If they will have my back I will have theirs as well.
Thanks everyone who cheered me on and did not even realize it. Hope to see all of you in the next course.
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