Journal+4

Module Reflection # 4 Reflect on your thinking surrounding your developing a philosophy of Instructional Technology use for learning and your understanding of 21st Century Teaching and Learning.

Description This week’s material focused on what is means to effectively use technology in a 21st century classroom and the challenges that can arise when using technology in the classroom.

Impact I learned this week that technology can’t be the focal point of the lesson when teaching Language Arts. The students pick up on the way technology is used. The article that discussed how students go home and tell their parents when they use technology, but not when they use a pencil clearly shows me that many teachers are using technology ineffectively. Many teachers say they are using technology, but the fact that students are still excited to tell their parents about a project they complete on the computer shows that teachers aren’t using technology effectively because if they were, the students wouldn’t react that way. Many teachers think because they have a Smartboard or show a Powerpoint for note taking that that’s enough. It’s not. That’s now what the students are telling their parents. They are telling their parents about digital storytelling, making videos, and other student centered or student created activities.

Intent My intent when creating my personal philosophy of instructional technology is to make sure I begin to integrate technology in my class that is student centered. I can still make Powerpoints for note taking, but that is not something that I look at as praising myself for integrating technology in my classroom. By adding effective technology into my room I will look more at online journaling, digital storytelling, and eventually moving to online assessments. I also want to analyze more scores from STAR testing to create more differentiation in the classroom to better connect with student needs.