Course Reflection

1) Has your perspective and/or feelings changed about technology in instruction as a result of being in this course? How?

Over the course of this semester, I have learned that integrating technology into my physical education class is much more doable than I imagined. Although time consuming, I think using the technology tools we learned about will keep my students more engaged and more productive during their time in my class. Now that a lot of school districts are moving towards providing personal devices for each student, using these tools are easier than ever for students and provides a great way for teachers to monitor student learning.

2) Which technologies or tools used in this course stand out to you? Why?

During this semester and the detailed research we have done on varying online technology tools we can implement into our classrooms, I thought that the Vlog and Screencastify tools really stood out the most. Both of these tools have so many uses. From the teacher's standpoint, these tools make it easy to see whether or not students are meeting ISTE standards. Being able to see what students are seeing on their screens for classwork makes it almost impossible for students to"sneak in under the radar" with classwork. They are forced to demonstrate learning with these tools, which makes it much easier for teachers to gauge learning in their classrooms,

3) Which technology(-ies) are you most eager to use in the classroom? How will you use it? (This may or may not be the one(s) chosen for your final project.)

I am really excited to implement blogging into my physical education and health classes. Students love technology today, and I think it will excited them to learn that they will be graded on what they write online. This also teaches them that what they write online stays forever, and it is the same thing as saying those words in real life. Students today need to learn to use words that are constructive for learning and bettering the world,  rather than destructive language.

4) Based on your answer to number 3, do you think you can implement the tech. tool in a planned upcoming lesson that you will be teaching? Or, suggest it to your CT to use in an upcoming lesson? Explain.

I think I will be able to implement these technological tools into my classroom next semester. I have the opportunity to work with a younger physical educator who is very open to trying new methods and developing new ideas. It might be difficult to try blogging with middle school, but it might be worth trying. My students are constantly surprising me with how much they know about technology at such a young age... so it could work!  I am very excited to begin my journey student teaching in Hudsonville, implementing technology at Baldwin St. Middle School in Health and PE classes!