WEEK 8- FINAL REFLECTIONS

I had so many “Aha!” moments this semester that I know I will inadvertently leave some unmentioned. Technology skills are not my strong point but that is mainly because I never have made the time to learn some of the skills. This ETEC 524 course pulled me from my comfort zone and embarked me on learning how to use many Web 2.0 tools.

One “Aha!” moment was creating my first blog. The edit page is so similar to a MicroSoft Word document with some of the same tools, so that helped me feel a little inkling of familiarity with creating a post.

I also had an “Aha!” moment when I posted content on our class wiki. I especially was enlightened on linking items to the different pages. Linking has been an ongoing issue for me, but this experience helped me make some progress.

Another “Aha!” moment was using the Jing application. I had seen Dr. Wickersham use these in presenting lesson overviews, but now it was my turn. The thought of hearing my own voice petrified me! After about 20 redos, I finally got the Jing to sound and navigate to my satisfaction. It certainly made me conscientious of articulation and fluency. But the end product made me feel very good about myself and I gained another level of confidence using technology.

The philosophy statement was a strong “Aha!” moment. I did not realize how traditional and out-of-date some of my teaching ideas are. Once I began to grasp the Web 2.0 technologies and their value in the learning environment, I began to change the way I teach and the way I plan lessons.

I think my biggest “Aha!” moment was when I realized early in the course that “I CAN” become skilled in using technology. Technology is approachable and doable even for someone as tech unsavvy as me. My husband has been amazed at some of the technologies I have learned and that I am using with ease. I think the best way to get familiar with technology is to get your hands on it and play with it. I learn best through discovery.

This journey has been full of “Aha!s” but I am now more technologically skilled than when I began this course. That’s progress for me! Now it is time to use and share what I know with students, teachers, and anyone else who wants to learn more about technology.