CEP 811 Final Reflection

Today is my final day in CEP 811. Throughout this course I have learned many useful tools that will help me integrate teaching with technology for any classroom. At the beginning of this class, I said that my personal goal was to learn resources and strategies to make technology usage more effective in the classroom. I believe that I have learned several strategies such as creating a lesson plan with UDL principles, a StAIR, and how to build effective webquests. Within these resources are many classroom management strategies by reducing confusion and chaos. I was also to able to see successfully how a lesson can be taught using a classroom management system by including elements in a way that mocks classroom procedures such as an introduction, learn (instruction), explore, create, and share. 

Throughout this course one of the most effective strategies, in my opinion, is the underlying principle that resources need to be designed well and for all students. Within the lesson plans with the UDL principles I was able to really improve a lesson that I had already built just by adding some adaptations such as linking resources for ESL learners, adding extra resources as an option, and stopping many of the roadblocks created in the lesson for various learners. In a classroom, this would free up my time helping students with simple fixes and really create a chance for good feedback and opportunities for students. The same principle was created with the StAIR project. The PowerPoint created an opportunity for the student to learn the information in various medias, receive immediate feedback, practice, and again create an opportunity for the teacher to be more of a coach rather than the teacher giving direct instruction. It also allows the students the opportunity to go back, review, and move at their own pace. Finally, and most importantly when designing a lesson that includes technology they should really be using TPACK. It is important for the teacher to find the sweet spot between technology, pedagogy, and content. It is too often that teachers focus on one aspect, maybe two, and throw in the third focus without it being meaningful. It should be a meaningful blend of all three.

Learning and understanding the various ways that we were able to enhance lessons that included technology really helped me analyze technology resources. Resources that I thought were amazing I then realized were not so amazing. I realized how much more efficient they could be by just making a few tweaks. Many resources are missing UDL principles, feedback, or even the TPACK principles. It also opened my eyes to the amount of opportunity in basic programs such as PowerPoint.

Although this class is ending and I have learned so much, I believe that I am still accomplishing my goals of learning resources and strategies that can enhance my teaching using technology. At the rate that technology changes and improves, this may become a lifelong goal. I am excited to continue learning and continue working towards my Education Technology Certificate. I am sure CEP 812 will open my eyes to more amazing resources and strategies.