Lifelong Learning Journey

The final concept that I have taken away from this class is that teachers have a responsibility to teach our students how to be technologically literate. Today's technology goes far beyond simply mastering typing and a word processing program. Students must be able to find, analyze, and effectively use technology in order to be successful in today's world. Additionally, our students must learn to be good digital citizens and to be safe online. Fortunately, teachers have a plethora of resources available to help guide and teach their students. However, before teachers can teach their students, they must take the initiative to teach themselves. It is my goal to not only continue my technology learning journey but to also guide other teachers through their learning journeys, as well.

The fourth strategy I have taken away from this course is the use of Google Classroom. While Classroom wasn't one thing we officially learned about, we did have the opportunity to use Google Forms, Docs, and Slides. Again, I have used these in the past. However, I think that the more I use them, the more comfortable I become with using them. Our school already belongs to Google Classroom, and I realize that I am not making good use of this resource. I will be asking our computer teacher to help me with getting my students comfortable using these Google resources. This way they will be familiar with the resources and ready to collaborate and create.

The third strategy I gained from this class is the use of WebQuests. Creating my webquest led me to discover several online resources that are available to help me teach my students. I, of course, incorporated these resources into my webquest. I learned that creating a useful webquest is quite time consuming. However, the benefits of using a webquest in class definitely outweighs the time it takes to create it. I was able to use my webquest immediately with my 3rd graders, and they are currently in the process of completing the final product of their quest. I loved being able to teach an entire unit that allowed for my students to move at their own pace through each activity. The variety and flow of activities in my webquest allowed me to be able to work with small groups of students while others were able to move on to some of the higher level activities. Now they are working collaboratively to complete the last task. Another benefit of creating a webquest is that I will be able to us

The second concept I am taking away from this course is that I can quickly and effectively use video making tools to share ideas with my students. For some reason, I had it in my head that making videos would be a long and cumbersome task. I had previously used Screencastomatic for graduate school. However, during this course, I used it in a different way. I realized how easy and quick it was to create a video to show others how to do something new. Now that I realize how easy it is, I will definitely be making more videos to post on the blog I create for my students. I will use it to show parents examples of how to work through some of the "new math" problems that they see coming home. I will also use videos as "viewing" homework for my students.

The first strategy I gained from this course was the ability to create and use a blog. Creating a blog is something I have considered doing for several years but never followed through with. This course taught me, of course, how easy it is to create a blog. The course also taught me the dos and don'ts of blogging and how to be a successful blogger. Perhaps most importantly, I learned that I am capable of keeping up with a blog and also that I enjoyed sharing my thoughts, ideas, and knowledge with others. My goal now is to create a blog for my math students. I think it will be a great way for me to share fun brain challenges with my students. I will also post information that will be useful to them and/or their parents as they journey through 3rd grade math with me.