Blog Post #16

Final Reflection

Part 1

Looking back on my first blog post I see a lot of good things I had planned for my classroom. I was enamored with Sugata Mitra. It was the first time I started to comprehend Project Based Learning. Now I know even more about Project Based Learning. I was proud of myself at the time of my first blog post, because I believed I knew everything I needed to know about technology's role in the classroom. I was arrogant and mistaken.

Over the course of this semester I have learned more than I expected. I wouldn't change the passion I had when I typed my first blog post, but I was vague because I just didn't know the things I know now. I stated that I wanted to use technology in the classroom, but in my mind that was limited to iPads and computers. I didn't know much (if anything) about blogging, iMovie, Google-Docs, and iBooks Author. Also, I didn't realize that I could network with teachers from all over the world through blogging and the internet. I considered networking to be simply talking with someone in person about ideas.

Now when I think about the methods of my teaching I think about a concept known as flipping the classroom. I learned about a flipped classroom from my first C4T assignment, Ken Halla. I want to implement that in my classroom on top of project based learning. I also want my students to use google docs and google hangouts to collaborate with fellow students, and students from all over the world. Google maps is another tool I will use when teaching Geographical concepts. All of these tools can be used on the iPad. I've always used the kindle app on my iPad, but after learning about iBooks author I think I will create my own lectures on iBooks and share it with my class. If there's one thing I want to always remember it's that I will always be learning new things. Being open to learning new things requires humility. Humility is something I will have to continue to strive for.

Part 2