Why take an EdTech course?
Before EEND 675, I had never taken an EdTech course, so
it was a bit of a daunting experience to click “yes” on the registration
webpage. I am pursuing my master’s
degree at USF in Teaching & Learning with a concentration in
differentiation. This permits some
flexibility in the courses that I select. I knew that I should take an EdTech course,
although I definitely do (did?) not consider myself “techy.” I chose to take this class for two
reasons. The first reason is I believe you cannot truly
be a 21st century educator without EdTech coursework. It is now part of the foundation of our
pedagogy. Our students rely on us to
have technology knowledge, skills, and tools to support and challenge them in their
academic achievement. As shared by Les Foltos in "Put me in coach, I'm ready to launch with technology" (ISTE Blog 2014), "Much like the ISTE Standards the the CCSS clearly link technology with effective teaching, in addition to calling for mastery of the basics, more rigorous learning and creativity, and more emphasis on soft skills, such as critical thinking, communication, and collaboration." Technology and content are intertwined. Secondly, I wanted
to “stretch my skills” and enhance my teaching portfolio in an area that doesn’t
come naturally. I am very happy with literature analysis, vocabulary
templates, investigative journalism papers, reading strategies, and
debates. But what I found in this
course, is that I may know more than I think I do (but definitely have much
more learning to do!) so I need to build confidence AND curiosity & creativity in the ELA classroom can be enhanced
through digital tools—with purposeful, thoughtful implementation. I will continue to grow in digital literacy
and even plan to take another course. The ISTE Standard for Educators as Learners states that teachers should"set professional learning goals to explore and apply pedagogical approaches made possible by technology..." It
has been greatly satisfying to share resources and skills I have learned in
this course directly in the classroom, as well as with my colleagues. Many of my colleagues are Google certified
educators, so I will look into that next step. Lastly, as I have realized
through creating a PLN, everyone finds their own balance with
connectivity. It’s okay to unplug for a
bit. You are never more than a click of
your fingertips to jumping back in.
Image credit: https://blogs.swarthmore.edu/its/2016/12/08/media-services-has-new-chromebooks-for-student-checkout/
Hi Julie!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your reflection and insight!
"The first reason is I believe you cannot truly be a 21st century educator without EdTech coursework"
Can I quote you in this? ;)
I love the way you've articulated this. I really do think that technology is one of those things what won't go away if we ignore it. It goes from "Here's this resource if you want it" to "You have to use this now". Good for you for embracing the inevitable and being proactive in bettering yourself!
"Lastly, as I have realized through creating a PLN, everyone finds their own balance with connectivity. It’s okay to unplug for a bit. You are never more than a click of your fingertips to jumping back in."
This is also a great point! Technology has given our students the opportunity to engage in class regardless of time or location, and the same could be said for us as professionals.
Thanks for sharing!
Mallory Hashiguchi
Hi Julie! Your reflection (Part 1) is really great. I, too, was nervous as I registered for this class. I am not doing it as part of a program, but as a means to PD hours towards a lane change. I opted for this specific EdTech course because, honestly, I knew I was WAY behind since leaving the classroom and this area seemed the best to improve my current teaching practices. I love your statement, "But what I found in this course, is that I may know more than I think I do (but definitely have much more learning to do!) so I need to build confidence AND curiosity & creativity in the ELA classroom can be enhanced through digital tools—with purposeful, thoughtful implementation." Your words are completely how I feel related to technology and my Reading Improvement position. Confidence, curiosity, and creativity are great agents in changing teaching pedagogy. I also really like how you added purposeful and thoughtful implementation. Throughout this course, I developed that understanding, too, that implementing technology simply to say you are doing it in your classroom is not the same as implementing it with intent. In order to enhance learning with technology, the purpose needs to be clearly thought out.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck as you move through your Master's program!
Thank you sharing your thoughts,
Fallyn Liesch
Hi Julie,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that you were nervous! I felt so ready because my district is a one to one district but I was nervous because I was starting my masters! I know that you are working through your masters too so it was good to be in the class with another masters friend! I liked your sentence when you said your next step of getting a Google certificate. Honestly I have never heard of that so it sounds very interesting. I feel like that would be something that could make me stand out and even feel more confident in my teaching! I liked how you said you can unplug and be able to jump right back in right away! I knew how easy it is to find different content and information through PLNs but I think teaching the students the skill to unplug is a great thing! I agree with Mallory, I would love to quote you to my students! LOL
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, its been a great class!
Jackie Fitzgerald