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[|Course Reflections EDLD 5363]
My expectations for this course were very open. I have worked in video technology and multimedia for quite a while so my hopes were to learn some new techniques or get some new ideas to use with my students and with my own work. I had not considered the idea of a group project for this course becasue of the nature of the course format. As it turned out this type of project worked very well for this class. Having to work together to overcome some of the limitations of working at a distance from other team members put an interesting challenge in front of us. I feel like that my group was successful in adapting to the challenges and in overcoming them.

At first I was not sure how I could take the lessons learned in this class and apply them to my school experience, then I realized that I could take the same basic concept and develop a collaboration with some of the other schools in my district. Several of the other campuses are developing video programs like the one on my campus and this would be an excellent opportunity to apply the lessons learned in this class to help our students learn. I have already contacted two of the other elementary campus IT Specialist to see if they would be interested in moving forward with a cooperative project of some type.

I feel like our team was very successful in achieving the outcomes set forth in the class. I feel like my individual projects met the criteria established and hopefully provided some information or entertainment as well.

I often underestimate my own creativity when it comes to completing project like the ones required in this class. I especially enjoyed the challenges that the assignments presented each of them required a different take on dealing with multimedia and video issues and problems. All in all I feel like I gained from this class because of the need to meet each of the challenges presented in the assignments. =Welcome to the Cardinal's Nest at Lamar University!=

A second learning theory, connectivism, regards learning as more complex than just constructing knowledge within an individual. Another learning theory you will explore this week is called cyborg theory. The premise for this theory is founded upon the way humans and machines interact. The integration of technology in education is no longer a "new" idea. Because technology has become such an integral part of society, it is necessary to integrate its use in education in a variety of ways. The use of computer technology has moved beyond computer assisted instruction in the form of tutorials or drill and practice. Today's technology can provide teachers and students with opportunities for teaching and learning that were impossible in the past. Computers can be used as devices for communicating with people literally a world apart. They can be used as tools to create instructional materials or as presentation devices to provide information in ways never before possible.
 * Teaching with technology: One learning theory, constructivism, is based upon the premise that learners begin with what they know about a subject, topic, or item.**

These three theories,as well as, collaboration with small groups of educators will fosters growth in technology in the classroom. Three advantages have been found regarding technology in the classroom including: Consistent student access to the technology, positive attitudes towards the technology (by both teachers and students), and teacher training in the technology led to the greatest student achievement gains. All students’ test scores rose on the Stanford 9 because of BS/CE with lower achieving student scores rising the most" (Schacter, 1999, p. 6).
 * Constructivism
 * Connectivism
 * Cyborg Theories
 * Educators should use technology in the classroom because its wide range of uses and forms has the potential to reach students of all learning styles, as well as be more efficient.
 * The interest and motivation that technology induces in students makes its usage in schools important.
 * Educators better prepare students for the future when using technology aimed at addressing each learning style.

Week two: This particular finding demonstrates what should be obvious by now to education leaders. For any pedagogical approach to have a chance of making a positive impact on student learning, teachers being asked to implement it need to be thoroughly trained, the method needs to be used consistently, and it needs to be executed by teachers in a positive manner. I believe this balanced approach to implementing instructional initiatives infused with technology is even more important, since the instructional use of technology is not second-nature to many teachers.

Week three: I really enjoyed my activities these week using the cast website. The video gave me just enough information to begin the assignment without any difficulties. Though I would said that if would not be a bad idea to see many ,more videos of teachers using UDL in the classroom. It is something that I enjoyed as so much that I informed my sister, a elementary school teacher about the website. This website helps us truly see the decisions we make every step of the way.I am glad to see that this type of information is available for educators to be able to use. Remaining questions for educators regarding teachers and the technology that could be used.

Week Five: I have really enjoyed this week. I would have to say that this is the most intensive week that I have ever had to work in but I can say that I learned alot. The googledocs page was finally updated and fully collaborated. We had a few miscommunications on the assignment but it was straigtened out before the assignment was to be submitted. This week marts the end of another course that I feel was a tough class that we learned alot about. I look for forward to the New Year and a new course. Lesson two of our unit was an introduction stage to describing the classifications of matter. The students began with an introduction of of various classifications of matter. This introduction allows for a discussion of previous knowledge and also the use of their recognition network. Using this information, as a whole group, the students indicated their knowledge physical matter. As an anticipatory set for the scientific inquiry process, they will Classify, compare, and contrast the various types of matter (elements, compounds, and mixtures). Differentiate between physical and chemical properties and changes of matter. Organize their findings into a cumulative unit research presentation/study/project that can be utilized by future students during this unit of study. T  he results for the class will be placed on the board/interactive whiteboard. This will lead to a class discussion of correct/incorrect answers and why. This method of sharing as a class will provide immediate feedback by the teacher and also discussion by all. Some students will stand in the front of the class writing a description of the the results on a overhead projecter. The class is required to develop a reasonable understanding of the lesson and the results.  The technology used will be a combination of projectors (powerpoint and overhead), spreadsheets, online blogs and wikis, wireless laptops and podcasts. The powerpoint projectors will be a benefit for the students that are visually impaired and cannot see small objects or words written on a normal board. The projectors will also provide assistance for students that cannot hear very well. The spreadsheets will be an important visual as it will help organize the lesson and the results for the class and will also provide a framework to work from when discussing the results of the assignment. The online blogs and wikis are a way to have an updated assesment and response page for students to go online and add their reflections on the page. Students could comment on others posting and form a discussion page as a result to the conversatition. The wireless laptops will allow the above activites to happen during school hours. And podcasts will allow students to post digital videos of their projects and discussions online, creating an online copy of what is going on in class.
 * Do you feel the addition of laptops in schools will strenghten the Infrastructure of Technology?
 * I think that the addition of laptop in school will help students and the schools in the long run.
 * Financially for schools. (replaces textbooks)
 * Intellectually for students. ( Enhances the technological skills)
 * Further Strenghten the Infrastructure for Technology in Texas.
 * Provides quick information
 * Easy access
 * Provides interesting learning
 * What changes in technology have you noticed since your school days?
 * Laptops, Television/Computer connections, iPods, online learning communities.
 * The replacement of the original floppy disk, then the 3 1/2inch floppy.
 * The immersion of the flash drive.
 * Cell phones
 * Are schools doing enough to strengthen the infrastructure of schools?
 * With the Texas Long-Range Plan I believe that we are staying ahead of the curve.
 * Do you believe that different political parties have different agendas for education?

Need Help?

 * Contact Brian Roberson at Bkroberson@my.lamar.edu