Reflection

I feel that my theory of learning has not really changed since the start of this course. Rather, I believe in my theory of teaching more. I am able to see more clearly the reasons and benefits behind the way that I teach.

I have several short term goals for intergrating technology into my classroom. Immedietly, I would like to explore the new SMARTboard software that was pushed through to us this week. There are so many more ways that I can use my board than just reading and calendar. I have slowly started using it for my math lessons and would like to start using it daily to enhance learning. Another strategy that I would like to implemnet would be the online content mapping. My students will be able to use this to think through the information they learned in a topic. Of course we will need to do this whole group, but it will be a way of introducing them to something they will later do on their own.

Long term goals include getting a voice thread account for each of my students. I would love to use this technology as an assessment for a unit. My students are still learning to write, but would have a lot to say. This would let them tell me what they know without writing ability hindering their voice. I would also like to finish completing my class website by adding a page that would be a link to a blog for parents to interact with each other and myself. These two strategies most likely will be worked on during summer break when I have more time to explore and learn.

Talking with other teachers and sharing ideas has empowered me to try new things....even with first graders. I am excited and very ready for summer break so that I can get started.