CEP 416 Class Summary

Throughout the semester this class on teaching & learning with technology has given me a wide variety of tools and resources to use in my future teaching career. I've learned about how to expand my PLN (Personal Learning Network) with sites like twitter, RSS readers, or by reading blogs. I have the tools to find a resource online that will help me on any topic I can think of by using the skills and tools I learned from this class. I learned about copyright, and how to use and teach it in the classroom. I learned about different technological tools that I can use in the classroom like podcasts, or digital storytelling applications.
I think that the most beneficial thing I learned in the class was how to apply all this technology into the classroom. One example I thought was really cool was the lab on voicethread.com, where I had PowerPoint slides and my voice recorded for students or whoever to play. I liked how this could be individualized, and allows every student to work at their own pace. That is one thing that is really beneficial about using technology in the classroom. Students are able to learn at their own pace, go over something a couple times if it doesn't make sense, search for more examples or definitions that aren't in a book. Technology is a great thing that is constantly involved in our everyday lives. It is time that our educational system catches up to it and integrates it seamlessly into the curriculum wherever possible.