I was a bit timid to begin this class
and worried the technology would quickly become overwhelming, but as I worked
through each assignment I gained new knowledge that I could immediately apply
to my classroom. I did not know about
the C.R.A.P. design elements, but I began to notice them in all kinds of
print. Sometimes I noticed the lack of
the design elements and thought about how I would redo the item to make it more
visually appealing using the C.R.A.P. elements. It was much easier with these guidelines to
follow since I am a person who like a sense of organization. I found the most difficult part of doing the
logo was making it represent my personal style to others. I liked the curves of the fonts and
reflection of the inverted “S” which I thought showed I have the ability to be
flexible and reflective. I liked this
assignment the best. I have never created an animation, but found it easy to
do. I can use this as a great visual to
aid in the development of vocabulary (particularly verbs). My technology confidence was building as I
found using technology was easier than I previously thought. I will share what I have learned with other
colleagues so they can use it in their classrooms. The early grades will love it! As discussed in Understanding Multimedia
Learning: Integrating Multimedia in the K-12 Classroom (2008) “When information
is presented using both channels, the brain can accommodate more new
information. By taking advantage of this multimodal processing capability and
technology-based tools, we can dramatically enhance student learning through multimedia
instruction.” My technology confidence
was building as I found using technology was easier than I previously
thought. I have only made a website and
blog once before and that was in another class so I had room to improve. Improve I did. I worked with a truly collaborative group of
ladies. We were used to discussing and
bouncing ideas off each other in other classes since we have been working
together since the first class. I felt
comfort that I would have backup if I reached frustrating points and more responsibility
since others were also depending on me.
I wanted our team to perform to exemplary levels. We went to the creation level of learning in
Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy (2007). We used
C.R.A.P. during the creation by logo and page layout repetition on each
page. We were stronger as a group than
we ever could have been individually. If
educators want students to become more reflective then the educator himself
must use reflective practice. I have
applied reflective practice to my own teaching practice. I reflect as an educator and also have my
students reflect upon their daily learning.
I agree with what Gerstein (2011) said about reflection “The only way
that educators can teach and promote reflective practice by their students (of
all ages) in their own classrooms is to engage in, embrace, and fully
understand this process themselves.”
As part of
my own reflections, I feel there should be further reflection at the end of
learning units. Students are becoming
more reflective in day to day learning, but I need to have them stop longer at
the end of units to reflect on the learning as a whole and connect this
learning to other areas. This can be
reflection through any creative process that comes from group work at the end
of units. Students need practice in reflection
to learn to connect prior knowledge with new knowledge. Sharing teachers’ reflection should also
become a normal practice. Teachers
should get together to discuss classroom experience and how to improve their
own performance. I think this should be a
regular roundtable activity during staff meetings. This is a topic I intend to
address with our administration.
Churches, A.
(2007, April). Bloom's digital taxonomy. Retrieved from
http://www.techlearning.com/article/8670
Gerstein, J.
(2011, August). Where is reflection in the learning process. Retrieved fromhttp://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/where-is-reflection-in-the-learning-process/
Understanding
Multimedia Learning: Integrating Multimedia in the K-12 Classroom. (2008,
September). Retrieved from http://www.brainpop.com/new_common_images/files/76/76426_BrainPOP_White_Paper-20090426.pdf
