EDLD+5364+Final+Assessment

 Final Assessment Week 5 1. What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned?  When beginning this course, I was excited to learn about some different methods of applying technology to the classroom. I also was interested in learning how the job of a technologist differs from that of a classroom instructor and the group project was able to provide insight into that arena as well. This class provided many ideas, as did my group, on how to incorporate different approached to technology. The frustrating part about it is that many of the web-based ideas cannot be utilized in the classroom due to the intense filter that our district employees. Wikis cannot be opened, limiting the resources to those that can make it through the filter. As far as the course itself, however, I have been able to brainstorm the use of many applications that can be used in my classroom and well as use for suggestions for when I am able to fill the role of a technologist at my school.  2. To the extent that you achived the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not?   The course met my objectives in many aspects, all of which are relevant to the work I currently do in my school. Before assuming the role of technologist or teaching a technology course, it has not stopped me from working in the role of tech support for my neighboring teachers and support staff. Because of my extensive work with computers in the private sector, much of that knowledge has been applied to my work at hand. Additionally now, I now know more approaches with educational technology tools that not only will I be able to apply in my own classroom, but use as tools to suggest to others when they need assistance or advice on their own technology integration. I feel as the communication applications teacher, it would be a disservice to the students if I did not only show but utilize the technological resources and their relevance to how communication works and the digital direction it is moving.   3. What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?   The brick wall that I feel I am up against the most when it comes to technology is the overly sensitive web filter that is employed by our region. While the course met the objectives I had in mind, the real world application at times can fall short. I can understand having a very sensitive filter at the elementary and junior high level, but it is very frustrating at the high school level to not have access to subject specific websites because contained within is a word or two that might be questionable. Since I coach debate, we must do a plethora of web based research and more often than not the sites with the articles that apply to our topics are blocked. Many of the digitally based research and storage tools are not accessible at the school due to the filter, Wikis included. A debate team wiki would be a great idea to incorporate into my program, however many of my students do not have internet at home and therefore would never be able to access it.  <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">4. Were you successful in completing the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you? <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I was successful in completing the course assignments and the group project was a much smoother endeavor than I could have hoped. I am apprehensive about group work since for as long as I can remember I was that student who picked up the slack for others and would end up more frustrated than anything else. This experience was different however. The group was responsive and for the most part very timely in their participation. The use of the Google doc facilitated this immensely since we were able to all contribute on our own time schedule. The only discouraging factor occurred the first week when no one replied to my discussion board post and in turn I was unsure about the Final Word aspect. I should have inquired about that scenario prior so I would have know to reply to myself. However, in the grand scheme of things, the course was straightforward and informative and I will be able to apply many of the skills and ideas learned here into my own classroom. <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">5. What did you learn from this course: about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes? <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I definitely learned that I am a much better performer when it comes to completing tasks when there are others dependent on me. The group project helped me see that aspect of myself very clearly. While I have a drive to succeed, it is often partnered with procrastination, although things may get pushed back to the last minute, they tend to get accomplished before the deadline. With this course and the group project, I realized I was more apt to work on my assignments at the beginning of the week, rather than wait until Sunday to dive in to the week’s assignments. I have also learned that I am still more comfortable in the driver’s seat than I am as a passenger. I know that there were participants in my group that would have made excellent leaders, I volunteered to serve as the leader of my group. A great team supported me and that always makes leadership roles much more pleasant. I was able to reflect upon the experience and recognize that there were times that I could have been more organized and that would have made me a more effective leader, but all in all, it was a great experience.