EDTECH 541 is exactly the class I was searching for when I had the idea to go back and pursue a Masters in Educational Technology. I was watching education and the world change because of the impact of technology and I wanted to know how I could be a part of that change. I have learned that technology needs to be integrated into our classrooms because it is already so much a part of our students’ lives. I also learned about relative advantage – the need to use technology to benefit our students and not just for the sake of using technology (Roblyer). Because I have been asked to teach technology to preschoolers this year, I thought it would be a great grade level to focus on for my course work. There was so little I knew about the curriculum and standards and finding ways to integrate technology was challenging. By applying the AECT standards and learning theories, I created and will be using many of the projects and lessons I have developed in this class. Applying the standards has taught me to assess and evaluate materials, resources and my own teaching to make sure my content is appropriate and comprehensive for my students. I had to stretch and be creative. I worked hard and learned a lot about myself as a teacher, a student and as a person. I believe I will be a better teacher because of it.
Part Two: Assess Your Performance
Criteria | Outstanding | Proficient | Basic | Below Expectations |
Content
70 points |
Rich in content, full of thought, insight and synthesis with clear connections to previous or current content and/or to real life situations made with depth and detail. | Substantial information, thought, insight and analysis has taken place with some connection to previous or current content and/or to real life situations but lack of depth and detail. | Generally competent in summarizing learning, but information is thin and commonplace with limited connections and vague generalities. | Rudimentary and superficial regurgitation of content with no connections and/or completely off topic. |
Readings and Resources
20 points |
Readings (from course text) and other resource materials are used to support blog comments. APA style is used to cite references. | There is some reference to readings and other resource material. No or limited use of APA style references. | Little if any reference is made to readings an other course materials. | Readings and resources are not mentioned. |
Timeliness
20 points |
All required postings are made early in the module to give others time to comment. | All required postings are made but not in time for others to read and respond. | Some or all of the required postings are made, but most are at the last minute without allowing for response time. | Some or all of the required postings are missing. |
Responses to Other Students
30 Points |
Two or more substantial posts with at least one detailed response made to address another students’ post. | One or more satisfactory posts with at least one satisfactory response made to address another students’ post. | One satisfactory post with a brief response to another students’ post. | One brief post or no post at all and no response to another students’ post. |
Comments on my self-evaluation: 130 points/140 points
I think I could have gone a bit more in depth on some of my posts. While the posts met all criteria listed, I probably could have gone into more detail in two of the posts, rather than being concise. With three classes in a shortened semester and the workload, I think time was a rare commodity.
Reference
Roblyer, M. (2016). Integrating educational technology into teaching (Seventh ed.).