Comprehensive Reflection
Throughout the UNI Instructional Technology Master’s Program, I learned many new skills, principles, and tools, which will help me improve teaching and learning through technology. The classes provided a high level of expectation and standards preparing me for the challenges I will encounter in my professional life. This program has helped me grow as an educator and life-long learner.
Content comes first is the theme of my reflections for this portfolio. It is very important to determine the desired skills and dispositions before choosing a technology to teach them. Jane Healy’s Failure to Connect describes this imperative very well. She also describes how we must consider the potential physical and emotional ramifications to using technology to teach and learn. Sometimes technology is not the answer. In my Instructional Design course, I spent a lot of time determining the outcomes for my professional development lesson. This required focusing on the problem before determining the technology to use, a very good lesson for all technology users.
Throughout our classes we discussed many learning theories and principles. We explored learning theories such as constructivism and behaviorism, which built on learning from undergraduate education. We also learned new theories emphasizing how technology plays a role in learning. I implemented Universal Design for Learning strategies, Gradual Release of Responsibility principles, and Technology Integration Matrix evaluations for my Selection and Integration of Materials lesson. My understanding of learning theories and principles has expanded through my classwork and experience. I have moved toward a more constructivist style because I believe that students retain more and have a deeper understanding of material if they are active participants and construct their own meaning.
The Applied Instructional Design class was a wonderful experience to implement our learning and work with international educators. Our presentation demonstrates that I can collaborate synchronously and asynchronously with colleagues from different disciplines to plan and deliver a thoughtful presentation. The experience as a whole confirms that I can work with a variety of educators in an international setting. I had the opportunity to work one on one with a teacher from Indonesia helping her learn how Google sites can be used to help students demonstrate mastery of English. It was a very valuable experience to learn about how educators in other countries are using technology in their classrooms.
In my professional life, this degree has allowed me to find a position in an international school facilitating technology in the middle school. All of my classwork will support me in this position as described above. Also, Coordinating Technology in an Educational Setting has prepared me to continue their one-to-one laptop initiative with the 7th and 8th grade students. Emerging Instructional Technology, as well as other classes, provided opportunities to work with a variety of teachers from different disciplines, which will help me work with all of the teachers at school. Finally, the master’s cohort has provided me the opportunity to meet many educational professionals and create a professional learning network in order to utilize and share resources efficiently and effectively.
Content comes first is the theme of my reflections for this portfolio. It is very important to determine the desired skills and dispositions before choosing a technology to teach them. Jane Healy’s Failure to Connect describes this imperative very well. She also describes how we must consider the potential physical and emotional ramifications to using technology to teach and learn. Sometimes technology is not the answer. In my Instructional Design course, I spent a lot of time determining the outcomes for my professional development lesson. This required focusing on the problem before determining the technology to use, a very good lesson for all technology users.
Throughout our classes we discussed many learning theories and principles. We explored learning theories such as constructivism and behaviorism, which built on learning from undergraduate education. We also learned new theories emphasizing how technology plays a role in learning. I implemented Universal Design for Learning strategies, Gradual Release of Responsibility principles, and Technology Integration Matrix evaluations for my Selection and Integration of Materials lesson. My understanding of learning theories and principles has expanded through my classwork and experience. I have moved toward a more constructivist style because I believe that students retain more and have a deeper understanding of material if they are active participants and construct their own meaning.
The Applied Instructional Design class was a wonderful experience to implement our learning and work with international educators. Our presentation demonstrates that I can collaborate synchronously and asynchronously with colleagues from different disciplines to plan and deliver a thoughtful presentation. The experience as a whole confirms that I can work with a variety of educators in an international setting. I had the opportunity to work one on one with a teacher from Indonesia helping her learn how Google sites can be used to help students demonstrate mastery of English. It was a very valuable experience to learn about how educators in other countries are using technology in their classrooms.
In my professional life, this degree has allowed me to find a position in an international school facilitating technology in the middle school. All of my classwork will support me in this position as described above. Also, Coordinating Technology in an Educational Setting has prepared me to continue their one-to-one laptop initiative with the 7th and 8th grade students. Emerging Instructional Technology, as well as other classes, provided opportunities to work with a variety of teachers from different disciplines, which will help me work with all of the teachers at school. Finally, the master’s cohort has provided me the opportunity to meet many educational professionals and create a professional learning network in order to utilize and share resources efficiently and effectively.