EDLD+5364+Course+Reflection

EDLD 5364 Final Course Evaluation
The group assignment for EDLD 5364 proved to be interesting and challenging even for those of us who are experienced teachers. One of the challenges we faced dealt with the teacher’s lack of experience with technology. Solomon and Schrum (2007) suggest that teachers must be able to guide students with “new ways of learning.” Our hypothetical teacher had no practice to draw from to present new ways of learning using technology. Since this teacher’s learning must be quick and thorough, we determined that he/she must be expected to learn “on the fly” so to speak with professional development provided all along the way. We were satisfied that the professional developmeny was adequate to get the teacher up and running. When I first approached this project, I felt that it might be simpler than not. Having to look at the whole problem for both the students and the teacher made the solution quite complicated. I found that though I knew the “how” of teaching with technology, I really had not embraced that as a coach, I must be able to encourage and teach what I know to someone else who might not be as excited about the prospect of using technology as I am. Planning the lessons was fairly easy. Planning for the teacher’s education was much more difficult. Our group worked very well together as we really played on each others’ strengths. While one of us was excited about building the site, another of our group was laying the groundwork for the lessons. One was eager to look at the technology needs and the teacher’s needs, and another was focused on writing the lessons and reflections. We found working on the Google doc was a little tedious, but it did help us accomplish our tasks. The few times that we actually talked together helped us pull the project to its final end. Overall, working as a group was highly productive and exhilarating for all of us. I believe that this project actually heightened my understanding of an administrator’s role in managing personnel and students simultaneously. It also helped me see how far behind we are as a district and as educators in general. Fifteen years ago there was no Internet for the general population. Today, if we don’t do something to catch up, we will find ourselves further and further behind. Teachers really need to use the great open access products available on the Internet. It is true that Web 2.0 tools are the keys to our “interconnectedness…for end users” that allow “multiple users to participate” in receiving and delivering information in our present age (Solomon & Schrum, 2007). Our students must not only see themselves as users but as participators in sharing and providing information for the world through blogs, discussions, chats, wikis, and forums. In the final chapter of their book, Solomon and Schrum (2007) decry the gap that exists between what is and what should be in classrooms today. They leave the reader with a hope that “professional development will fill that gap for current teachers and that new teachers will enter the profession armed with the technology skills they’ll need to help students learn in new ways.” One thing I absolutely learned is that I must be a part of making the change happen as I strive to do my work as a technology coach. Solomon, G, & Schrum, L. (2007). //Web 2.0: new tools, new schools//. Intl Society for Technology in educ.