Personal Learning Reflection

I took this course as a means to obtain my Masters in Educational Technology. More importantly, I took this course to increase my personal knowledge and make myself more marketable in the future. As I look back at my Personal Growth Plan created at the beginning of this course, I realize that I was and still am very naive in many ways when it comes to technology. It is definitely humbling to read articles from 2007. Though I feel behind in many ways, I also feel assured that I have chosen the correct path for my future.

Just six weeks ago, I set out to increase my skills and knowledge in four areas: terminology, time management, telecommunication, and manipulation of audio, video, and text. This courses did not offer exactly what I thought it would, but I almost appreciate that more. I thought what I was seeking was a foundation in technology. What I really wanted was useful tools that could be implemented in my classroom this year and years to come. I have never been given the opportunity, or forced, to learn what was out there. From this course, I feel that I have gained the most from the web based programs and presentation tools.

My first goal for this class was to learn more about Google Docs, and in this area I feel I accelerated in my personal growth. Next school year I plan to implement Google Docs in a similar way to how we created our SIG Groups and Proposals. We are about to embark on some new things at my school. I just found out last week that we have decide to go with a Digital Interactive Math Program next year. Knowing the uncertainty I feel about the future of my class and students, I want to provide them with an experience similar to mine in our SIG Groups. I would like to pair students with their friends and likeminded peers in other class periods . I am doing this because I would like for them to feel supported. I will also be implementing Diigo in much of the same fashion. I will have my students looking for math specific content to supplement their groups learning and share with others.

The other area I feel I have grown rapidly in is with web based presentation tools. I still remember the first visual assignment. I used a powerpoint presentation from my computer. It was a reflection of my comfort level with web based presentation tools. I quickly searched out other methods and learned about them quickly. I found myself not only creating great presentations but also sharing them with classmates and colleagues.

One presentation tool I struggled with the most was Prezi. I found myself feeling very frustrated with it initially because of the scaling and rotating feature. I came back to it several times but was never comfortable with it. I felt I was spending precious time with something that I obviously did not understand. Thankfully I went back one more time for my last assignment. They had changed the zooming feature, and I found it to be less frustrating. I wish we would have covered more of it possibly in the virtual sessions. Overall, I am proud of my final presentation because I purposely went back and worked through my challenges.

My goal for future classes is to continue to learn and grow. I am looking forward to learning more about Podcasting. I happen to look at the course outline for my next class and found that to be in part of the sessions. I am also looking for content-specific material that can be implemented in my classroom. I realize that I can find ways to implement the technology into my classroom, but I want the technology to “fit to me” instead of me trying to always fit into it. Is that not what the Ipad promised? Perhaps I need to learn more about that as well.

My Personal Technology Plan

Please view with full screen :-)

Personal Technology Plan on Prezi

A Review Activity That Meets NETS-S

     I have had problems in the past getting my students to review before quizzes and tests. I have eliminated most of those issues by using classroom responders or clickers for review. I am able to assess student knowledge quickly and address any gaps. However, in order for my students to become independent learners, I have embedded technology into the review process. This activity allows students to be creative and express their learning in a unique and new way.

Objective: Create a visual presentation to document your chapter review with the use of multimedia or web presentation tools. Please make sure to address or keep in mind the following while creating your presentations.

· What are the core standards or “Big Ideas” within each section?

· What are the key concepts and vocabulary used within this chapter?

· Can you provide examples of how to solve problems and check solutions?

· What problem-solving strategies were covered in this chapter?


Presentation: You may work individually or with a partner. When you are finished, you will share your URL in our class blog. Please choose from the list below or ask me for approval on a different presentation method you would like to use that is not listed.

Prezi

Animoto

Glogster

Shwup

SlideRocket

Kizoa

Zoho Show
_____________________________________________________

NETS-S /ISTE (International Society For Technology in Education.

Creativity and Innovation

Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students:

• apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.   

• create original works as a means of personal or group expression.

Communication and Collaboration

Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students:

• interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.

• communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.

Learning Styles

After reviewing my results, I see that I am a product of my environment.  Throughout high school, I was exposed to teaching styles that were very similar.  My teachers stuck to the old fashion ways of teaching.  They would lecture, on the notes that were on the board - day in and day out.  I would take notes, read, and study.  Every once in awhile, they would throw in a group project. However, they would ask me to deliver my findings in a lecture format.  I found this method to be sufficient.  I now realize, that with my learning style, it did not matter if they were a good teacher or not.  If I could see it or hear it, I was successful. 

In college, they call them lecture halls for a reason!  Again, I was successful with the lecture and note-taking format that was being presented each semester. I found it to be familiar and comfortable. However, I was introduced to other learning styles once I started my education classes.  I was asked to reflect more and more with each class.  I did not enjoy it because I did not see the relevance to what I was learning at the time.  I was not and still am not, a global learner.  I like to know exactly what and why I am learning something.  I couldn’t see the “Big Picture.” 

In my first Graduate Course, I distinctly remember how uncomfortable I felt in that class.  Everyday it felt like we were being taught with a different learning style than the one I preferred.  We were working in groups, reflecting each day, using crayons and markers to display information to others.  As a self proclaimed “old-fashion math teacher” this was very difficult to me.  I honestly was questioning why I was paying for this course. Until I finally got the “Big Picture.”  Not everyone is like me, including my students.  I was learning how to become a better teacher.

To this day, I still feel I find the most success in an environment that is sensing, visual, and verbal.  I have found this to be true of many math teachers.  I like to be presented with facts that are sequential or linear.  I prefer to learn things that are directly related to my life. I work best when I am invested in a subject or topic. I also find myself to be more motivated when the task is personal.

What challenges me the most is a learning environment that is abstract or global. It is difficult for me to see the “Big Picture.” I want to see a linear progression to my learning.  I dislike surprises and not knowing or seeing the cumulative effects. Yet, I have come to the conclusion that “If you wait, it will come.” The learner and teacher I am today is continuously being challenged and changed. 

As a math teacher, I can quickly add up 65% of learners being visual and 30% are auditory learners. Knowing that I can address 95% of the needs of my students is an easy task with a Smartboard and lecture.   Fortunately, my students are more complex than that simple equation.  I have learned that you can’t do everything for everyone, but you can do your best.

            What challenges me the most about the different learning styles is that human beings are complex creatures that use all the learning styles throughout their life, depending on the circumstance and framework of the situation. Unfortunately, it would be too time consuming, not only for myself but also for the students, to sit through a lesson that included all learning styles.  I have a difficult time getting through all my standards as it is.  Using the learning styles as a point of reference in the development of ones lesson plans is a way to address the needs of our students.  As a math teacher, I look at the learning styles as angles.  I come at each lesson from as many angles as possible to address the different learning styles in the time frame I have. Looking for moments, no matter how small, that we can change our lessons to fit or address the needs of the different learning styles should be ones goal.

Creative Commons

I never realized how much I have taken freely from the internet without giving due credit until this week. I honestly was under the assumption that if it was out there, I could use it freely. After reading all the information from this session and watching the Youtube explanation, it all started to make sense. I have for years been using audio, video, and pictures to enhance my own projects. I have also encouraged my students to do the same. Many students are visual learners, and it is easy to incorporate learning, beauty, and technology at the same time with all the visual aids available on the internet.

In the past, students have had a difficult time grasping the idea of horizontal and vertical lines. I have had students create Keynote presentations that included these lines visually. They have used pictures as well as videos to accomplish this. However, I have never covered Copy Rights with my students. It is something that I have talked about in the past with writing, but never with math presentations. In the future, I will incorporate Creative Commons in my visual lessons prior to teaching the presentations. I will make sure that I model proper usage to my students. I will also be incorporating Flickr into my future lessons.  I was able to get a great visual much easier than Googling images.

As a reminder, here is a picture from Flickr. It is a beautiful representation of vertical lines.

Original Image: "Trees in the Sky!"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leshaines123/5700344660/sizes/z/in/photostream/

by: Les Haines

Released under an Attribution License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Below is a picture of myself in Hocking Hills State Park. After about a mile walk into the cave, the fog gave way to a beautiful little tree and waterfall. It was such a beautiful moment, I wanted to share it.

Original Image: "Hocking Hills Cave"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/63576994@N07/5788099823/

by: Mariah Trentacosti

Released under Attribution License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/