In my first semester of Grad School at Kennesaw State University, I had the opportunity to take the courses ITEC7400, 21st Century Teaching and Learning as well as ITEC7430, Internet Tools in the Classroom. During my experience with these courses, I gained a great deal of knowledge about integrating technology into teaching and got an introduction on how to create a 21st Century Classroom. I learned that this degree will prepare me to be a technology leader, giving me the expertise to use tools the classroom. I will be able to apply this knowledge to help other teachers in my school become proficient or advanced in their field.
In ITEC7400, I learned about the basic productivity tools and how to be a technology leader within my school. I created student-friendly resources that exposed my students to available technology within my classroom. In this course, I was able to solidify my knowledge in the instructional software that is made available to me through my school as well as Cobb County School District. It helped me think about how I can be a leader at my school in helping others utilize the software. Additionally, one key focus of this course was the Interactive Whiteboard. In ITEC7400, we explored the popular educational tool, the interactive whiteboard (IWB). Not only was I able to use this course to widen my experiences using SmartNotebook, but I was able to create interactive products using the software as an instructional tool. In this course, I learned how to design and implement lessons enhanced by technology, to reach all levels of learners in my class. Through this course I was able to really see the power technology holds in the classroom, and how giving students opportunities to think critically using the available tools helps them extend their learning.
During the course ITEC7430, I was exposed to multiple Web 2.0 resources to use in the classroom. Going into this class, I was unfamiliar with the term "Web 2.0" but coming out of it, I felt like I had a strong grasp on what Internet resources are available for educators to utilize with their students. Student learning was increased in this course, because I was able to create and implement a lesson plan that integrated Web 2.0 tools that I was exposed to in this course. Due to the fact that I was incredibly busy working on graduate courses, I was not able to implement as many creative web tools with my students as I had initially planned on. Going forward, I hope to be able to devise engaging, creative lessons using the tools I was exposed to in this course. This course was a valuable experience and essentially was a "Web 2.0 Tool Crash Course" each week. I will be able to bring this knowledge with me throughout my graduate course of study, helping others at my school improve on their teaching and technology integration.
I put great efforts towards my work during this introductory semester and feel that the ground was set for me to excel in my studies as an educational technologist.
In ITEC7400, I learned about the basic productivity tools and how to be a technology leader within my school. I created student-friendly resources that exposed my students to available technology within my classroom. In this course, I was able to solidify my knowledge in the instructional software that is made available to me through my school as well as Cobb County School District. It helped me think about how I can be a leader at my school in helping others utilize the software. Additionally, one key focus of this course was the Interactive Whiteboard. In ITEC7400, we explored the popular educational tool, the interactive whiteboard (IWB). Not only was I able to use this course to widen my experiences using SmartNotebook, but I was able to create interactive products using the software as an instructional tool. In this course, I learned how to design and implement lessons enhanced by technology, to reach all levels of learners in my class. Through this course I was able to really see the power technology holds in the classroom, and how giving students opportunities to think critically using the available tools helps them extend their learning.
During the course ITEC7430, I was exposed to multiple Web 2.0 resources to use in the classroom. Going into this class, I was unfamiliar with the term "Web 2.0" but coming out of it, I felt like I had a strong grasp on what Internet resources are available for educators to utilize with their students. Student learning was increased in this course, because I was able to create and implement a lesson plan that integrated Web 2.0 tools that I was exposed to in this course. Due to the fact that I was incredibly busy working on graduate courses, I was not able to implement as many creative web tools with my students as I had initially planned on. Going forward, I hope to be able to devise engaging, creative lessons using the tools I was exposed to in this course. This course was a valuable experience and essentially was a "Web 2.0 Tool Crash Course" each week. I will be able to bring this knowledge with me throughout my graduate course of study, helping others at my school improve on their teaching and technology integration.
I put great efforts towards my work during this introductory semester and feel that the ground was set for me to excel in my studies as an educational technologist.