Take Care & See You Soon! - My Digital Technology Course Reflection

 

This marks the end of my EDUC 3326 - Blog Posts!
This was an amazing journey. I have definitely grew in my technological education understanding and my TQS utilizations and responsibilities throughout this course. Please follow me below as I reflect on the course! :)

What did you learn or “take-away” from this course and how has your perspective about integrating technology into K to 9 education changed/grown throughout the course?

Throughout this course, my perspective on bringing technology into K to 9 education has changed quite a bit. I've learned some valuable lessons that have shaped the way I see things. Reflecting on past experiences has become a key part of my learning process, helping me continuously improve. Lesson pacing is a big deal—making sure things move at the right speed to keep students engaged and cover the material well. The course highlighted the need to be adaptable and good at problem-solving, especially when unexpected tech issues pop up, like internet outages. I've learned to use positive reinforcement and engagement strategies to make lessons more interactive. Recognizing that students have different needs, I've started using technology to tailor my teaching to different learning styles. The idea that there's always room to improve in education tech is something I've embraced. Practical strategies like using timers for pacing and giving clear instructions consistently have proven to be really effective. Structuring activities with clear steps—before, during, and after—has become a solid approach. The importance of planning well and staying adaptable has become clear for successful tech integration. This course has also pushed me to work on my classroom management skills, especially when it comes to using technology effectively.

How did this course help you answer your “burning” question about the use of digital technologies in K to 9 education?

I'm curious about how we can deal with the various challenges that might come up with technology. My burning question surrounded the possibility of internet issues or not having enough tech resources to go around. It could mean not having sufficient laptops for every student or some people struggling to get the hang of the technology.

In this course, I tried to bring digital technology into my activities during my practicum. But there was this one time when the whole school faced a problem – the internet was down for the entire day. It was unexpected and threw off our usual routine, like taking attendance on Powerschool, printing worksheets, or using the smartboard. I had to quickly come up with a new plan on the spot with my mentor teacher.

Going through this experience, I learned to be more adaptable and flexible as a teacher. It also taught me the importance of having a backup plan because you never know what might happen each day. The situation also gave me the chance to encourage the return of technology to students the next day, turning it into a positive by organizing a computer party.

How did you contribute to the learning of others?

Throughout the course, I took on the role of a lead participant and discussion guide, actively engaging with the topics presented. I consistently delved deeper into the provided resources, exploring various perspectives and generating thoughtful questions for both my peers and the professor. Some examples are:

• How could I properly utilize digital technology to make my lessons more engaging and interactive for student learning?
• How can we work through the challenges that may come with technology through availability. What happens if there is no wifi or a power outage in extreme circumstances?
• I also wanted to know if technology may add on to the growing addiction kids have nowadays towards technology and video games?

In addition to joining discussions, I created a digital story focusing on the Tsuut'ina First Nation to provide more insights into Indigenous Ways of Knowing. My goal is to enhance my peers' understanding of this nation and contribute to their overall knowledge, potentially influencing future teachings.

What did you learn from others?

Throughout this course, I not only delved into my peers' research on their digital stories but also expanded my awareness of a diverse range of websites and applications that can enhance and streamline learning through technology. This experience was particularly enriching as it introduced me to numerous apps that were previously unfamiliar to me. Among the projects, my group explored Incredibox, a platform I was already familiar with, yet it was astonishing to discover the breadth of alternatives available.

I enjoyed the group who did a stop-motion app. In partners we made a stop-motion video depicting the water cycle. The hands-on experience not only deepened my understanding of the unit but also illuminated the potential applications of this app in my future science classes. Furthermore, I recognized its versatility and identified opportunities for integration into various other subjects, as an engaging tool for educational purposes.