Reflection

The rapid and constant change in technology is creating opportunities for students.
There is greater access to rich, multimedia content, the increasing use of online course
taking to offer classes not otherwise available, the widespread availability of mobile
computing devices that can access the Internet, the expanding role of social networking
tools for learning and professional development, and the growing interest in the power of
digital games for more personalized learning. Hence, educational technology is the
effective use of technological tools in learning. As a concept, it concerns an array of tools,
such as media, machines and networking hardware, as well as considering theoretical
perspectives for their effective application. The students of today are learning in a digital
age which requires teachers to customize and personalize learning activities to address
students diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and
resources (NETS for Teachers, 2008). This course has helped to widen my knowledge on
how to use the various technological devices and components to facilitate my learning and
understanding of this course. Truly, I have learned a lot. As a future educator it taught me
that teaching is not only done in the classroom. It is very beneficial for students. The use of
technology motivates students to learn, and using the internet will eliminate the unwanted
information provided in text books. This is personal testimony because of this course I
was allowed me to do assignments and post it online rather than type, print and hand it in I
can now just type and post it online. However, I was already equipped with the knowledge
of using the computer, desktop, multimedia projector and various other technological
devices. Schoology was great experience for. This online community allowed me to be in
a forum that facilitated the growth of learning from each other. Weebly and Wiki, I enjoyed
this because I got the chance to transfer my knowledge. It is my belief that the continued
use of technology in education and the integration of this technology will forever improve
learning and teaching.
I was introduced to the terms digital immigrant and natives. After the terms were fully
explained it was then proven that I was digital native. This term refers to people who have
grown up in the digital world using technology as a way to communicate record, educate,
and understand society. Therefore, being a digital native gives a person a better
understanding of technology and knowing how to incorporate it in education and learn
how to use each tool given online. This course has given me the opportunity to use
PowerPoint presentations as interactive activities, where questions can be added to the
slides and the answers. These interactive educational activities can promote higher order
thinking skill, such as problem solving, critical thinking, and creativity it can also help
loosen up the classroom and provide a fun learning environment. I have also grown by
stepping out of my comfort zone of the format of writing lesson plans to the format of the
Assure Lesson Plan, where I had to team teach using this format. It was a very fun and
informative experience which allowed me to have another lesson plan format on hand.

Course Achievement

I missed the first few weeks of classes. When I went to classes I thought it was fun and
interesting, the first three weeks went by with ease because what we were being
introduced to I had knowledge about already. Then it got a little challenging because each
week there was tasks every week. "How I am going to complete assignments other than the
four that we must do to pass the course." Thinking about all the work I had to do
especially this portfolio which was a compilation of several components. The weeks
progressed and the work load fluctuated and I was able to achieve the entire task even
each week whether it be individual or in groups. Schoology was surrounded by some
stimulating conversations between classmates and facilitators. This environment was
proof that this course made an impact because we were able to give feedback about a class
and the facilitator would comment on our feedback. The knowledge, achievements and
accomplishments are that this course helped me to relate technology to my area of
specialization and this was possible because of the International Society for Technology in
Education and the National Educational Technology Standards NETS for
teachers standards for evaluating the skills and knowledge educators need to teach, work
and learn in an increasingly connected global and digital society. These standards for both
teachers and students have led to the implementation and use of many different
technological tools. Some of these tools that I was able to create include: Wiki, Podcast,
Blog, Movie Maker, Web quest and interactive power Points. The International Society for
technology in Education (ISTE) and the National Educational Technology (NET) Standard
for Teachers standards were kept by our facilitators. They used their knowledge of
the different tools that we were required to use to enhance teaching and learning,
technology was used to facilitate experiences that advanced our understanding, creativity,
and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments (ISTE ,2014). Relevant
information was communicated and ideas to us effectively by using a variety of digital
age media and formats, for example Schoology. In addition, they promoted and modeled
responsible digital citizenship; they demonstrated and taught safe, legal, and ethical use of
digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property,
and the appropriate documentation of sources.
Windows Movie Maker was a different spin. We had to make movies; this was
introduced in class where we had to do a task which involved us making video which
contained different as aspects such as pictures and songs. This task was successfully
accomplished and achieved how to use Windows Movie Maker and sites that are used to
cut and crop songs and other videos. My achievements in this course will help me in the
coming years that I have left at school and it will enable me as a teacher to incorporate
technology in my classroom to better facilitate the change in society and my students.

Evaluation of Course
This course has introduced me to tools that were created using the International
Standards for Technology in Education (ISTE) and the National Educational Technology
Standards (NETS). These tools include the Assure model, windows movie maker, podcast

recordings and interactive power point. These have introduced me to new ideas and skills
in planning future lessons effectively. Technology has forever changed not only what we
need to learn, but the way we learn. The ISTE Standards set the bar for excellence and best
practices in learning, teaching and leading with technology in education. The benefits of
using the ISTE Standards include:

Improving higher-order thinking skills, such as problem solving, critical thinking

and creativity.

Preparing students for their future in a competitive global job market.

Designing student-centered, project-based and online learning environments.

Guiding systemic change in our schools to create digital places of learning.

Inspiring digital age professional models for working, collaborating and decision
making.

By using the ISTE and NETS as a learner helped me to utilize the benefits and the
standards by using effective technology in the teaching and learning experience. The ISTE
and NETS standards will help to me to facilitate and inspire my students creativity, model
digital age work and learning, promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility,
engage in professional growth and leadership. This course should be taught in every
secondary and tertiary level institution. This course will allow us as students to be aware
and keep abreast of the different changes in technology and education in Jamaica and the
entire world. It will also teach us how to effectively manipulate the different tools used in
the classroom. I also recommend that this course be given additional time in class and
outside to be completed because of the level of importance it holds to us as students. Also
this course gives students who are not digital natives the opportunity to become
natives. Another recommendation is that the work load of this course be lessen if there is a
possibility that it can be done. I recommend this because the work load is way too much
for the time, and every week an assignment is given for a unit and at the end of the day
there are other course work for the course to be completed with the unit assignments.