I have learned that when implementing technology that it must have an educational purpose and assist in accomplishing your goal or need. Also, when implementing you should have a well thought out plan and consider multiple things including safety, copyright, access to technology, group selection and grading procedure.
Integrating web based technologies has really helped me to consider all of extras that come along with it. The items I mentioned above are just a few and I'm sure once I get back in my classroom in a few weeks and actually implement it, I will come up with many more. I'm already thinking about students that are absent or special need students and how I will address that.
I don't believe I have completely met my goal of integrating technology yet. I really need to get back into my classroom in order to do so. I feel very comfortable with it right now, but know that things always look good on paper and then don't always go as well once applied!!
I plan to immediately put my classroom Wiki into place at the start of the school year. I believe I am going to assign students to groups, so it is not as overwhelming for them. I also would like to update my teacher website to include more resources and interactive applications for the students to look at. During my techquest research, I found many resources that I am excited for my students to see.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Project Evaluation
Ahhh...TechQuest almost done! Now, it is time to evaluate the process.
I really enjoyed researching and learning more deeply the use of Wikis in the classroom. I had a basic idea before the TechQuest project, but I have so many resources and ideas now! It is somewhat hard to say what I would do differently, because I haven't had a chance to actually use my TechQuest in my classroom yet. As I'm sure every teacher knows, nothing goes as planned. So, I'm sure there is something, but at this time I don't realize anything major because I haven't used it yet. I spent A LOT of time researching, I was looking for the "perfect" resource instead of compling a bunch of resources that worked together to be perfect. I looked at a lot of example wikis without much luck. So, I believe that my educational need was possibly too specific.
A lesson to others that will follow in my footsteps is to really have a passion to change your educational need. I was very driven as my educational need is something that I have been dreaming to improve since I began teaching. If you aren't passionate about the change, it won't happen. Also, spend time researching WHY the technology is going to address your need. Don't just assume it is and roll with it.
I do believe that I do techquests in a small way often in my teaching. I am always evaluating my teaching and classroom and looking for ways to improve. The first place I look is to technology. Not always do I end up using it, however I often do. I have had successes and failures but am confident in my choices and love that I will always have a chance to be a better teacher by finding new and exciting ways to deliver the material.
I really enjoyed researching and learning more deeply the use of Wikis in the classroom. I had a basic idea before the TechQuest project, but I have so many resources and ideas now! It is somewhat hard to say what I would do differently, because I haven't had a chance to actually use my TechQuest in my classroom yet. As I'm sure every teacher knows, nothing goes as planned. So, I'm sure there is something, but at this time I don't realize anything major because I haven't used it yet. I spent A LOT of time researching, I was looking for the "perfect" resource instead of compling a bunch of resources that worked together to be perfect. I looked at a lot of example wikis without much luck. So, I believe that my educational need was possibly too specific.
A lesson to others that will follow in my footsteps is to really have a passion to change your educational need. I was very driven as my educational need is something that I have been dreaming to improve since I began teaching. If you aren't passionate about the change, it won't happen. Also, spend time researching WHY the technology is going to address your need. Don't just assume it is and roll with it.
I do believe that I do techquests in a small way often in my teaching. I am always evaluating my teaching and classroom and looking for ways to improve. The first place I look is to technology. Not always do I end up using it, however I often do. I have had successes and failures but am confident in my choices and love that I will always have a chance to be a better teacher by finding new and exciting ways to deliver the material.
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