In reflecting back at where I started in the fall with CEP 810 I can’t believe how much I have learned in just a few short months. I must say that I am surprised at how much easier the work became during the last 2 courses. Now, that isn’t because I thought the assignments were easier, it was because I felt more confident as a learner with technology. The biggest change that I have noticed in myself is the confidence that I now have in regards to technology. I use to be afraid to try new things and now it excites me, I have to tools and the motivation to figure things out. Not only have these courses benefited me as an educator but also personally. I found a new excitement in my career and it excites me to be able to work with my students as well as my peers and co-workers. There are so many new tools that I now have to use in my teaching, planning and personally.
One of the goals that I set for myself back in the fall was that I wanted to reach out and share what I had learned with my peers and co-workers. I have begun to branch out and start talking with my co-workers about the great things we have learned about and offered to share things with with them. What I am noticing is that a lot of people feel the way that I use to, scared and intimidated by technology. The media teacher and I have talked about doing some professional development for our staff to present some of the useful tools to them.
Another goal that I had for myself was incorporating the SMART Board more in to the everyday curriculum which I have been very successful with. When I first started the school year I basically used the SMART Board as a glorified overhead projector. Because I haven’t had any training I had no idea what the SMART Board could actually do and I was too intimidated to try. Through several projects and my own curiosity I am now using the SMART Board to make my lessons more interactive and to help motivate my students through games that support what we are learning. One example of how I used the SMART Board for a math lesson to teach fractions. I had the students come up to the SMART board and shade in the fraction that was being represented. Another option that the SMART Board offers that I just recently learned about was the option to print the lessons and documents that have been created. This is a great option for students who need assistance with writing or for students that are absent or out the class.
Using my blog has become a lot easier for me as well. Possibly next year, I would like to start a classroom blog to communicate with parents. When we first started to use our blogs I wasn’t crazy about blogging to say the least. I couldn’t wait to be done with CEP so I didn’t have to blog anymore. Fortunately, I don’t feel that way anymore. I have seen how valuable it can be in a classroom
There has been a multitude of lessons and tools that we have been introduced to that have really gotten me thinking about the how and why technology is important and how it can reach all types of learners.
My goal after this certification is complete is to make technology part of my everyday classroom routine. By using what I have learned and by explores new things on my own. Now that I have a taste of what it can do I don’t think I will ever go back to teaching without it. It definitely benefits everyone involved.
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