This has been a
wonderful class to take. It was engaging
with all the new technology we were able to learn about and try out for
ourselves. If I had fun using these tools,
then I know my students will find them engaging as well.
My thinking of
technology in the classroom has definitely changed. I went from thinking that technology
integration meant using smartboards to realizing that it is much more than
that. Like Marc Prenky said,
“Technology’s role – and its only role – should be to support students teaching
themselves (with, of course, their teachers’ guidance)” (p. 1). It isn’t about showing a power point or a
video, the technology needs to be in the hands of the students. They should be the ones using it to receiving
the full benefits. Tools like
screen-casts and podcasting can be extremely effective in a classroom when used
to their full potential.
I enjoyed Marc Prensky’s articles
the most because he presented the information in an interesting way. He explained things in ways that were easy to
understand and I actually remembered later on.
One day, I caught myself using the phrases “digital native” and “digital
immigrant” in conversation when I was talking to a colleague about using iPads.
Overall, I really enjoyed this
class and am taking away many, many, useful tools and tips for my “teacher tool
bag”.
