EDLD+5364+Course+Reflection+Responses

1. What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned?

I was very excited about taking this class. I knew that it would give me the tools I needed for my role as an educational technology leader at Jarrell ISD. The assignments during week one of this course focused on exploring and discussing three different learning theories related to teaching with technology. Learning about these theories helped me gain valuable insight into the implications for student learning. I also learned about ways to teach using technology to help set objectives to focus on establishing a direction for learning, as well as ways to use technology for communication with students and assessment of learning. This class showed me practical ways to use technology activities to guide students to deeper understanding. I enjoyed seeing how learning and teaching with technology is changing, and I'm excited to be a part of it. This class was everything I'd hoped it would be.

2. To the extent that you achieved the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not?

In my current role as Campus Technologist for my campus, it is my job to help teachers incorporate more technology into their daily lessons. This class was extremely beneficial to me in that it helped me to do just that. I now feel more comfortable than ever helping teachers devise technology enhanced learning plans and interventions to meet the needs of diverse learners. Thanks to this class, I also have a better understanding of which types of professional development best support teachers for the implementation of various technologies in the instructional process. I have so much more confidence in my abilities as a campus technologist now. Throughout the course of this class, I gained invaluable information that will help me help other teachers. Because of this, our students will receive the education that they deserve, and they will begin to enjoy learning.

3. What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?

I honestly can't think of any outcomes that I did not achieve during the course of this class. All of the outcomes that I envisioned for this class were reached (see question 1) and the outcomes were aligned exactly with the way that I had envisioned them. I found this class to be very beneficial to me on so many levels.

4. Were you successful in completing the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?

Yes, I was successful in completing all of my assignments for this course. Fortunately, all of the members of my work group work very well together. We always met at the pre-scheduled times to work on the group project which helped us to stay on schedule and get everything completed on time. I found it to be very beneficial to have other people to bounce ideas off of before I submitted each assignment. I feel very fortunate to have been part of such an amazing work group.

5. What did you learn from this course: about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes?

I have learned that I know a whole lot more about technology than I had originally thought. I don't give myself enough credit sometimes. This course gave me tons of new ideas on ways to incorporate more technology into every classroom lesson, and how to make sure every teacher understands how to do this. I'm now better equipped to help them find new ways to do this, and I truely enjoy doing it. If I'm enjoying it this much, I can only imagine the impact it will have on our students.