Learning Educational Technology - ETEC-579
This thinking routine asks you to reflect on something you knew, felt, or believed in the past and articulate how your understanding has changed with new knowledge, perspectives, or experiences. For purposes of this class, let's focus on thoughts related to the content of this course: implementing educational technology initiatives or programs. And let's define "Used to" as before this class began.
Your post should fill in the ellipses:
Now I think . . .I have explored and learned droves of information examining the theories, practices, and competencies required to implement educational technology programs effectively. In addition, throughout this course, with classmates, I studied historical developments in technology incorporation into classrooms of today, which varied greatly from classroom experiences that I had as a student years ago without using any technology whatsoever. Additionally, I learned about critical aspects, considerations, and materials necessary for the implementation of instructional technology programs of today as well as moving forward. This course was very informative in providing me with a treasure of knowledge and global awareness, which is vital as I continue to offer new learners core skills and expertise in various subjects necessary as a 21st-century technology-rich educator. Also, it is essential to consider how students of today are learning and including all learners, not excluding students with learning or other disabilities throughout this educational process—learning that it is vital to keep up with technology trends as they relate to learning and how students learn. Finally, I have learned the importance of gamifying the learning experience for students, as they are more engaged when using these strategies in the classroom. Incorporating new and exciting technologies into my lesson plans as an educator affords students more meaningful, technology-rich learning experiences using various technologies, including but not limited to YouTube, creating class blogs, social media, or websites with students relevant to the subject matter being learned. Through this course, I have become better trained to integrate my instructional skills, technology skills, tools, and resources into my lesson plans, such as to enhance further and challenge students’ learning experiences now and into the future.
Your post should fill in the ellipses:
I used to think that . . .
Now I think . . .
Introduction to Educational Technology
I used to think . . .
The learning involved rote memorization, using paper and pencil, in which the information was transferred in a single direction from the teacher to the students. Additionally, this learning process was done without any interaction or collaboration between classmates or teacher and students, beyond instructions or feedback, via letter grades. Before this course, I had truly little knowledge or understanding of what it took to implement educational technology programs. In addition, I didn’t know what skills or knowledge students were expected to have, if any, before this course. This is a topic that, frankly, I don’t know anything about. Still, I am open and eager to learn everything I can about the implementation of educational technology programs so that I can become better equipped to use the knowledge, skills, and even leadership needed to use what is learned and required to properly use technology to assist students in succeeding moving forward in their learning environments.Now I think . . .