EDUC 6715- Final Reflection

Over the past eight weeks I have been able to look at and learn about many different emerging technologies I would love to implement in my classroom. The unit and lesson plans I just created allowed my students to use digital gaming in the class to learn, practice, assess, and differentiate learning. This is a fabulous opportunity for students to use a tool they have access to in the classroom or at home. Also many of the students play video games using systems such as X-Box, Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii; these games are similar to those they are playing at home just with an educational focus.

With my school year starting on Wednesday I am implementing several new technologies with my students this year. First, I will be using a computer based reading program called Read 180 with 25 of my students. This program allows for whole-group instruction, small-group instruction, and individualized computer instruction. I will be continuing the use of my blog with my students and plan to create a wiki for my advanced class. I had the luck of Christmas coming in July with the installation of a projector, screen and Bluetooth SmartPad, so all of these technologies will be used on a daily basis to implement the new core content standards adopted by Kentucky. I would love to purchase access to the website Education City for the use of digital gaming with some of my lessons and plan to discuss this with several administrators at our first meeting on Monday.

With my knowledge from this course I hope to collaborate with other teachers to adopt and implement new technologies this school year. I feel I have the experience and exposure with implementing my blog and working with emerging technologies in this class. I hope to discuss with the staff members at my school the impact these technologies will have on our students’ motivation to learn and their 21st Century skills. I am excited to start the school year and begin implementing the many tools I have been introduced to.