When this course began, I had some expectations of what would be discussed and had hoped to become more acquainted with those topics. I anticipated discussing appropriate use laws, copyrights, and technology integration in the classroom, and a few other general ideas as well. However, I had not considered the issues of cyber-bullying, the conflict between the “digital immigrant” and the “digital native”, or even the necessity of technology for data collection and analysis in developing our campuses and districts. I am pleased that the course did fulfill my expectations by further educating me on the issues that I had anticipated, as well as opening my eyes to a host of other important topics related to technology in our schools. And as I look back through what was offered and what I expected, I am unable to identify an objective that was not achieved or a concept that was not adequately explained.
The assignments that were given were applicable, as all-encompassing as can be anticipated from this type of course, and demanding yet not impossible. I believe that I was successful in completing the given assignments. My gauge of measurement here is my ability to complete it in a timely manner as well as my understanding of what the assignments covered. Perhaps the most challenging part was the data analysis assignment. For some people this can seem tiresome and almost like a waste of time. But through the readings, videos, and interviews with administrators and the technology specialist, it is obvious that the data is necessary. Schools are data driven to help see the trends and try to predict where we are heading so we can provide our students with the best chances for success.
The greatest contribution that this course will have given me is my heightened consciousness and awareness of the variety of issues and considerations that must be made when working with technology in our classrooms and with our students. Perhaps the greatest lesson that could have been learned, though, was that when it comes to technology usage, we can learn so much from our students and will learn simultaneously with them. And as far as the greatest benefit for the students is concerned, the more attention that is given to integrating technology into their education, the more prepared they will be for their future education, employment, and being responsible with technology throughout their whole lives.
In addition to the actual information that I learned, this course gave me humbling insight into my own views of technology and my self-proclaimed “familiarity” with it. As a more recent college graduate and one of the newer and younger teachers around my campus, I have always had an air of youthfulness about me, especially when it has come to technology. I do not usually need the technology specialist to hold my hand and show me simple computer processes, and I have almost felt superior in that aspect over many people. But elements of this course, particularly the given readings, have shown me that, while I may be a step ahead of some certain individuals when it comes to my familiarity with technology, I am miles behind others and the growth and capabilities of technology itself. While I may understand all of the simple things that I have taken for granted as I have grown up, I never took the time to search the many other functions and offerings that our every day hardware and software can provide us with. I have learned that I have ways to go, and if the past and present are good indicators of the future, I will be lost before I know it if I do not do my best to stay actively involved in keeping up with what technology can offer us.
I also enjoyed the chance to use blogs to communicate information and ideas about this sort of topic. My wife and I have been using a blog for years now, but with the purpose of staying in touch with family and friends. I like the idea of using blogs to provide information and act as a sort of presenter for those who are interested. The greatest value, however, that I feel blogs can have to our 21st century learners is showing them that they can easily produce something of value and import on the internet. Most of our learners use the internet for recreational and social reasons. Most of the things they post or communicate on those websites have no contributing value and are often destructive to themselves or others. For them to have a place where they can give positively online would be a wonderful and meaningful experience that can give them an entirely new perspective on the purpose of online communication. Obviously there are concerns that come along with blogging as well. You worry about if what is being said is appropriate, if the students are wise enough to keep personal information to themselves, if they are plagiarizing others words, if there is cyber bullying going on, and other issues as well. But as we learned through our readings and videos, and life really, we cannot completely protect our students or ourselves from those dangers or concerns. The best thing we can do is educate them well and help them learn how to act appropriately online, just like we help them to act that way every day.
From the view of an administrator, a blog can also be a valuable asset of communication to our stakeholders and other persons of interest. With busy schedules, longer days and commutes, and an increase in virtual communications, blogs can and should be utilized to keep stakeholders and others informed of activities, action plans, meetings, and anything else that you would want to communicate to them. With the simple click of a mouse, we can update ourselves.
