Module+1+Reflection

=Reflection Prompt: How has your knowledge of technology standards changed after this module? Reflect on your own use of technology standards in your classroom and personal use. =

==Description : After discussion and reading during this module, my knowledge of technology standards has greatly increased. Before beginning this class, I was aware that there were specific technology standards, and I have taken time to look at them before. However, I have never taken an in-depth look at the standards and what they entail. The standards are written in detail, with specific examples of each type of technology that can be used. I felt very overwhelmed at the amount of technology that can be used, but excited at the chance to learn all about it. The standards are a way to prepare our students for the 21st century. ==

==Impact : After reading the standards, I decided to get out my content standards (Social Studies and Language Arts) and look at how they align. I was surprised to that I learned about many connections that the two sets of standards have. I know that technology in the classroom is certainly the now and future way of learning. In order to be an effective teacher and properly prepare my students for the world around them, I know that technology needs to be a focal point in my classroom, not just something I do when I have extra time. The initial impact on me, as I stated above, was to feel overwhelmed. However, after looking at the alignment of standards, I was already able to come up with so many different ways I could incorporate the technology standards into my core standards. Also, after reading discussions and posts, I am able to see that I am not alone in feeling overwhelmed. All teachers are facing this ever-changing world, and the need to learn new technologies almost daily, it seems. After reading other posts I also feel more confident, as I do use a lot more technology in the room then I even realized. I know that this will be no small task to learn these standards and implement them, but just beginning to learn them has impacted me in a positive way and is steering me in the direction of excitement towards the standards. ==

==Intent : After reading through these standards and reading discussions, my intent is to begin incorporating more technology in my classroom at the start of the school year. As I work on my curriculum this summer, I will begin creating more interactive Smartboard lessons for each subject, and mini-lessons that can be more student driven during small group or independent time. I will also begin outlining projects that are more technology driven. For example, rather than have students present information orally on a topic, I might have them video tape a presentation and show it to the class through the Smartboard. Another type of technology I'd like to utilize more after reading these standards is a type of blogging. I have my own teacher blog for the classroom, and I've always thought it would be cool to have my students interact in a similar way. After reading these standards, I feel this would be possible and it is my intent to research, find out more, and implement this next year as a written reflection and collaborative piece in my classroom. I am on the technology committee at my school, and I also plan on speaking with our coordinator to really push for some of our non-working technology to be fixed so I can utilize it to its' greatest extent. I will continue to read through discussions from my fellow classmates to learn more from them and continue to grow my knowledge. ==