Week+10+(March+22+2010)


 * Reflecting on my usage of technology... **

This week we have been asked to go back and look at the "**What is your TEACHER ICT Score**" questionnaire that we filled out at the beginning of the year. In it, we find questions such as:
 * Have you ever let students use cellphones in your classroom?
 * Have you ever set up a wiki or a website for students to get homework and follow the course?
 * Have you ever shown a trailer, a short clip or just a website to get the kids' attention and help get them engaged?

At the beginning of this course, I had to answer NO to at least half of those questions, if not more. However, since taking this course, I think there has been a dramatic change in the way I think about lesson planning. I have noticed that since I became aware of the different software that is out there, and learned how to use it, all the lesson plans that I have made for my other courses have ALWAYS involved the use of technology. For example, in my English class I had to plan a unit with 3 other group members. We decided to plan a unit of short stories and I immediately volunteered to be responsible for their final project, which is a movie maker presentation. Knowing how to use technology is especially important when teaching English these days because "Media Studies" has become an important part of the curriculum. I'm really glad I know how integrate the use of media into my teaching now.

On a final note, I would like to conclude with a reflection about how I will use technology. I wonder how I can make sure to integrate it in a way that pushes students to use their higher order thinking skills. I know that for students, making a movie is fun and interactive. However, using new technology should be more than just giving students a chance to be creative and original. I want the technology to push them to develop their thinking and learning skills.