EDLD+5364+Week+5+Course-embedded+reflection

=**__Week 5-Part 3-Course-Embedded Reflection__**=

As I look back on my journey in the Teaching with Technology course, it has enlightened me a great deal as it regards to integrating technology in education and the way I students learn. I had some previous knowledge regarding this subject prior to this course but this course gave me a whole new outlook on things. However, from the course assigned readings, videos, and group scenario project proved to be very informative in new knowledge gained. I have learned that I am a constructivist when it comes to learning as well as teaching as well as how to apply that to all leveled learners. In this course, I have also learned how students learn and the different parts of the brain in which learning processes take place. I have learned, through the evidence of new theories and research, every person has three areas of the brain for learning.

A major part of this course was a group scenario project, which mines consisted of 4 other students. In order to plan as a team, we decided to set up a Google chat and even web conferencing at least once a week to discuss the team solutions for the scenario. The first week we initially tried to do things by just conversing through our Google site, but we found that to not be successful. This was my second online group project, but was a very effective means of communicating with each other. Being a part of this kind of cooperative learning group enhanced my learning of the subject matter as well as the usage of some new technologies. This allowed myself and group members to our different backgrounds together to come up with our solution to our team’s scenario.

With the current understanding of how I learn and the new knowledge of how students learn as well as the research on the brain and how it works in relation to the different areas of processing, I can better implement and incorporate a more digital rich environment that not only engages all students but is geared to the different learning processes in the classroom. “To help students acquire skills and become synthesizers means not just providing access to technological tools but also employing the pedagogical tools that are more powerful when combined with technology (// Web 2.0: New tools, new schools //p.37).”

I am a visual learner, so when it came to creating the ebook sample was interesting and engaging. I was “using the technology to learn how to use the technology” (Solomon & Schrum, 2007, p. 111). I can wait to utilize the tool again with my students, I believe they too will find it interesting yet engaging. The collaboration methods in this course have assisted me in my journey of becoming a life-long learner. I also enjoyed growing as a learner and a educator. This course was another reminder how I must continue to be flexible with change and how one must adapt to change. Without it, no educator nor administrator can make it in this field that continues to intergate technology into education for the betterment of our students.

== Schacter, J. (1999). The impact of education technology on student achievement: What the most current research has to say. Santa Monica, CA: Milken Exchange on Education Technology. Retrieved on October 5, 2009, from [].==

== Rose, D., & Meye, A. (2002). // Teaching every student in the digital age: Universal Design for learning. //Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Available online at the Center for Applied Special Technology Web site. Chapter 7. Retrieved on October 5, 2009, from []==