IT 365 Class Reflection

As I mentioned in my introduction, before taking this class I had limited skills using the computer and very little knowledge in being able to take advantage of all the Webtools it has to offer. I never before realize how I could use this technology to be a more effective and efficient teacher. After taking this class I now realize more than ever that this was a very weak area for me that I really need to strengthen and become knowledgeable in.

I never thought to highly of blogs before, but now I realize that this type of communication is a great way to connect to my students, their parents, and colleagues. I think emails are still a tool to have, but creating your own classroom website that others can see who you are and what you’re all about, takes communicating with others on a whole new level. I am on the few people that has never had a FaceBook account, and I am not sure if I going to go that far, but I do see the benefits for creating a classroom website.

Since I am majoring in elementary and special education, I will certainly benefit from the knowledge I have gain taking this class. Recently, I had to complete a Curriculum Adaptation Assignment for eight students with different types of physical disabilities. In every single one of the adaptations I made accommodations for, I was able use the information I have learned about Assistive technologies in accessing Microsoft Windows.

Concept mapping is another tool that I plan on using a lot as a teacher. I have always enjoyed using PowerPoint presentations, because it helps me to organize and present information in a format that I could separate and connect information on each slide. Concept mapping just takes this to a whole new level also. Since thematic units are going to be so much a part of my life, concept mapping is a great tool to use to in creating one.

I plan to incorporate everything I have learned with continued practice.  I understand that if I don’t build upon the skills I have developed taking this class, the chances are I will not likely to use them in the future. I don’t want to forget everything I have learned, I really want to be the kind of teacher that I have imagine myself to be, and utilizing technology is going to be essential to making that dream a reality.