Application+of+Tools

Application of tools learned in this class...

Even though the work of a semester teaching and learning weighs heavily on me now, I am very excited about using these tools to enhance my courses next semester and my future teaching. My one overarching goal is to start integrating these tools into my courses, so that they are not an extra thing that I or my students do rather it is an integral part of the learning that occurs in the class. The synthesis of this course into a meaningful learning experience will be an interesting challenge, as it always is. That is why teaching is a wonderful profession, it is always possible to push the envelope and challenge oneself.
 * Next Steps**

My intermediate steps to the larger goal of broad, but thoughtful, technology integration are to begin using Google docs with my students. I am part of a pilot group that will use it in our district next semester. I hope to use the Google doc that I created for this course as the springboard into Google docs. I could also imagine that I will use Google docs in other ways as well. The goal for me is that the students have to be engaged at a higher level than they currently are. If this happens, then the technology tools are worth it. If the students are just playing games or are not engaged at a high level, then the technology is not really worth it. I will strive to ensure that I incorporate the technology to push my students, not to entertain my students.
 * Next Semester**

Professionally, I am not sure that I will use any of these tools next semester. I imagine that many of our science department documents could be handled more efficiently through something like google docs or some shared space. We have our server at school which currently serves this function. As the science council begins the curriculum revision in the next year or so, using the collaborative online tools will become an integral part of that process. It is the only way that we can be thorough and efficient with our time.

My personal learning environment has grown. That is the entire point of taking classes and it would be a shame if this did not happen. I am most excited about some of the tools like voicethread, ustream, and Google docs. I also have found through my work in this course some interesting blogs and things of that nature that I now read more regularly. I have found some interesting ideas on these sites that I would not have seen before. I am mostly more willing to go out there and find/try things out.
 * PLE**

I am not sure that I am closer to becoming a networked teacher. I have always been fairly connected via the web to different groups. I am certainly more cognizant of more tools that exist and more networks that exist. I would hope that these will lead me to being more networked. If nothing else, this course has helped push me towards a world that is larger than my classroom. I would love to collaborate with teachers from all over the country or world - there would be great learning that could occur in both directions.
 * Network Teacher**