Reflection

The biggest thing I learned about effective teaching strategies when integrating technology is to make sure that you have a solid plan for implementation. Before you try a new strategy or tool, it is important that you have seriously considered the methods, learning, and outcomes that will come from using the technology. Without doing that, there is bound to be issues that will limit your intended goals of learning.

Integrating web-based technologies really helped me to evaluate the proper use of technology. I thought a lot about the theme of "change with a difference" when using technology. Even though some technology might be exciting and fun for the students, it is important to make sure that the technology use is effective in the learning process. Regardless of how interesting the technology might be, it is important that we keep our focus on the educational improvements they can bring to the classroom.

I would say that I met my own personal goals for learning about technology integration. I have begun implementing web 2.0 technologies in my classroom for next year. Before this course, I would have probably not formulated a plan like the TechQuest to actually bring them into my teaching. So with that, I believe I met what I set out to do for learning about integrating technology.

The next goal that I have is to begin to implement podcasts into my teaching. I am hoping that I can reach that goal by getting a wireless microphone so that I can record classroom lessons so that I can stream them in a daily podcast. For me, this will not only continue my goals of using technology, but also give my students a chance to review lessons or stay tuned in at any time, regardless of if they are in the classroom physically or not.