EDLD+5364+Week+5+Reflection

=**__Week 5 Reflection__**=

This weeks Web 2.0 reading was very informative to me, it is here were I discovered my quote for the discussion board."The ultimate goal will be for schools to put all the pieces together and use new tools to create new models of technology-infused teaching and learning. Our vision of a new school is one in which the educators can adapt and change, model and use tools, and understand how students learn and what tools—both technological and pedagogical—will foster learning."

For me, this weeks quote, for sums up in essence the true goal for integrating technology into education. It seems from each week during this course, two words were consistent in terms of technology and education, "adapt" and "change". Without the two, it is nearly impossible to embrace new possibilities. Another part of this quote that stood out to was "will foster learning". It can be easy to get distracted with all the cool technologies that are constantly coming out. However, when we introduce new technologies in our instruction we have to always answer this question "how is this going to improve or enhance my students learning"? If we all can adapt and change, just think of the endless possibilities that are out there for us educators and our students.

In Using technology with Classroom Istruction that Works, I learned about the benefits of using spreadsheets to show effort to our students and how it would benefit them. Pitler, H., et al (2009) states, "The research tells us that not all students realize that importance of effort, many attribute their success or failure to external forces." One piece of technology that are suggested to use to help students to see the effect of effort, is to use a spreadsheet. Pitler, H., et al (2009) also states, "One easy way to help students make the connection between effort and achievement is by using a a spreadsheet like Microsoft Excel." I can attest to this particular method, because I have used this method before with my students to show academic growth and decline as well as behavior conduct.

Gwen Solomon; Lynne Schrum (2007-10-01). Web 2.0: New Tools, New Schools (p. 172). International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). Kindle Edition.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E, Kuhn, M., and Malenoski, K. (2009). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development