Reflection

I agree with what Jordan said about this class being stressful in a good way. It really was frustrating to find myself having to figure out how to use some new, unfamiliar, and oft-obscure program or website in order to complete an assignment. But it was definitely a growing experience worth having.


I especially liked the projects. Creating a website for this course taught me something that has already proven helpful in other settings (after doing my fictional class website for project #1, I was able to offer to build this website for the non-profit I work with). That skill seemed impossible to me before, and yet it was always within reach if I'd only attempted. So I'm grateful to have been pushed through that.


I believe that actively thinking about ways in which technology can be incorporated in the classroom has been important in defining the kind of teacher that I will become. I think it's given me a clearer perspective on what to look for and how to seamlessly integrate it into my lesson plans.


The unanswered questions that I still harbor are regarding where technology will be by the time I get in the classroom. How different will things be then? And can I keep up with the changes? But this class has taught me to have more confidence, to experiment more, and to have a personal learning network where I can find support for the problems I run into.


Overall, I really think that a course like this would benefit everyone, regardless of whether they plan on becoming teachers themselves. Perhaps this should be a required course for all freshman. It really would make such a difference in their ability to grow and flourish in the rest of their classes here.


Thanks for your help and guidance!