What We've Learned (so far)

Objective:  explain why technology integration into curriculum is essential for 21st century classrooms

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Over the course of the past 7 weeks we have discussed this topic many times. It has been an important part of our ePortfolio, which is shown by the tools page on our websites. We have also seen how technology integration is effecting how material is taught. For example, in the TPACK model (shown on right) technology is a primary section. This shows us that technology is an important part of education today. We have also discussed how Web 2.0 can be integrated into classrooms today and how tool designers are working with educators to create the most useful tools possible. Because Web 2.0 tools are interactive they allow students to learn in multiple ways, and the teacher controls how the tool is used by their students. A classroom without technology is one that is not yet in the 21st Century.


Objective: continue to be a  reflective practitioner through an ongoing blog and other writing

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We have worked on this objective through our blogs, our Vision of Technology Paper, and discussing the TIP model (shown at left). The TIP model's phase 5 is all about reflecting on a lesson and how effective it was. We have used this to reflect on lesson examples from our text and examples given in class. Through our Vision of Technology Papers we are reflecting on how we will use technology in our classrooms as teachers and why we think it is important for students to use in today's society. With our blogs we are reflecting on various topics such as Web 2.0 tools, problems with technology in schools, and our own digital footprint. As part of the class we have also had chapter review questions that have asked us to reflect on topics from the text and to analyze how the ideas can be best used in classrooms today.


Objective: evaluate technological resources for professional and classroom use

We have had many projects that fall under this objective. We had a tool challenge project in which we each had to research a tool and present to the class on it. This assignment had multiple functions; we not only had to research our own tool enough to present it, but we also learned about the tools that our classmates did research on. This gives us a toolbox that we can use in our own classrooms during student teaching and once we become certified teachers ourselves.

Objective: Turn theory into practice by completing 5 hours of related field experience.

I did my field experience at my former high school. I was there for approximately 4 hours and had the opportunity to talk to not only the primary computer teacher, but also a social studies teacher, the technology director, the family and consumer science teacher, and an art teacher. During these discussions I learned about how integrating technology into every classroom is important. Students need to be learning about and using technology in every educational discipline. By using technology for art and psychology and sociology they are learning how to function as a member of society and are learning how to use tools that may help them at a job later.

Objectives Web

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