Reflection

This on-line work seemed more like a refresher course for me as I completed 23 things last summer. I don't have a lot of "free" time to putter around on the computer as I stay busy w/ teaching, coaching, and researching topics that I use for grant writing as well as staying current in my field. I did enjoy going back and reviewing the skills. I spent time looking at other options to the ones that I am currently using and enjoyed doing so.
I incorporate technology in the gym which is an unlikely place, but it has been very successful and students enjoy it. I have found that although the high school kids are tech savvy, they do not know about all the tools that we covered in 23 things and 11 tools. I spend time showing them how we use it for HF classes and how they can also use this in their other classes.
What I love most about working w/ high school students is using them to help me when I hit a bump w/ technology. I don't hesitate to ask them for help and several students sign up for my classes just to be the "tech" helper with other students as we create projects.
I have been researching and taking lessons in PBL and 21st learning, and tech is part of this. I believe that giving students options in the class allows them to take ownership in their learning. Technology gives them the freedom to make choices about how to present their projects, document data and be creative while doing so. I also use technology to access their mastery in skills and feel that technology is the bests way for me to do so.
Because I was busy this summer, the on-line course gave me the flexibility to do the work at my own pace and time. This is a plus for people like me.
I will continue to take any on-line tech classes offered by the district as I am always looking for new ideas and want to continue to grow as an educator.
I am teaching a tech class for HF teachers this week and had planned to show many of the skills from 23 things and 11 tools as it applies to our field.