TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION

REFLECTIONBY ANDREW LETCHUK

PRESENTATION CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. What have I learned about the use of Technology?

3. How did I learn it?

4. Why Learn it?

5. Types of tech tools that I’ve learned and explored

6. Obstacles that I’ve encountered when completing assignments

7. Review: Looking back and considering the future

INTRODUCTION Throughout the past few months of this course , I have discovered myself that

my feelings towards Technology has definitely been changed from being nervous to self-confident on exploring different tools that educators use in the work field.

My first thoughts about this class was what will I highly expect from this course and the kinds of tools that I’m going to explore throughout this course? These are the types of questions that I ask myself most of the time.

At this point of the course, I now feel that I have demonstrated a better understanding of the use of ed-tech tools in today’s education. It’s all about taking risks and trying out new tools that I’ve never used or heard before such as Twubs, Tweet deck , Twiddla and Bitly.

WHAT HAVE I LEARNED ABOUT THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY?

Technology tools can be used to connect with other Educators and teachers around the world like Twitter for example. It makes it much easier to communicate online rather than meeting in person.

Teachers, EA’s and educators use technology ( Ed-tech tools ) to teach students in the classroom ranging from elementary to high school.

WHAT HAVE I LEARNED ABOUT THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY? (CONT’D) For class activities and quizzes, Kahoot and Socrative are two examples of tool apps that teachers use

in the classroom. For example; a Science teacher is using Socrative to create a class quiz. The teacher then divides the students into colored teams ( Red , Green , Blue, Violet , Green ) . Then the teacher creates a ‘’space race’’ quiz to see which team can quickly answer the questions before anyone else

What I also learned is people can communicate with other educators, friends and peers in the same time - different place /different time –same place which is commonly known as Synchronous communication. Skype ,Facetime and Google Hangouts are good examples of using online face-to-face communication for business meetings , talking with friends, etc. People also use Asynchronous communication tools such as Facebook , Facebook messenger, Twitter , texting, etc.

Educators and teachers can use social bookmarking to favorite (*) their educational webpage and tool. Pinterest however, is a fantastic tool of social bookmarking. For example; say you created a board about autism and you want to have at least 5 pictures in it. You go to the search bar , type in your chosen topic, scroll down , once you have your pictures pin them and add them to your autism board. You can choose to have your board private or have it public so that people can see .

HOW DID I LEARN IT? They way I learned about technology is based on the course

content, assignments, lectures and the in-class demos. It taught me on how technology continues to impact today’s education , how it can benefit / support students with disabilities in classrooms and the tool apps that teachers and educators use to teach students.

When I met up with my tech group, each of my members demonstrated and showed us the tool / apps that they are going to show to the class. I also had the chance to try out on one of the tools. For example; Socrative, Edmodo.

Not only learning the tools in class , but also continuing to learn and explore other ed-tech tools after class, completing class assignments & projects. For example; the activity log tracker and the e-collaboration project. I never knew that there is so many fascinating tools that teachers/ educators / students use worldwide.

WHY LEARN IT? It’s important to learn about technology because if you

are going to be working as part of the school team, you’ll need to understand the kinds of ed-tech tools and apps that teachers use to teach students in the classroom.

Technology can be very a helpful tool to have when you’re working with students with learning disabilities ( Autism, PDD-NOS , Asperger’s) and physical exceptionalities.

Once you’re able to understand the value and use of technology today, you will have a chance of being successful in your future co-op placements and / or jobs later in life. Technology is like having a best friend to keep .

Why Learn It ? (CONT’D) Technology is everywhere , we simply can’t avoid it . It changes the evolution

of education . Without having technology today ,we wouldn’t be able to communicate with our friends, teachers, parents , educators, students and employers. Everybody needs technology to learn, teach, communicate and to engage. As an EA , you must learn how to use ed-tech apps / tools in the classrooms and understanding that you must be able to feel confident using tech tools rather than being afraid.

“Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them , the teacher is the most important’’ – Bill Gates

TYPES OF ED-TECH TOOLS THAT I’VE LEARNED AND EXPLORED

TYPES OF ED-TECH TOOLS THAT I’VE LEARNED AND EXPLORED (CONT’D)• The pictures from the last slide were examples of ed-tech tools that I explored during

and after class. What I really enjoyed about these tools is exploring , learning and having fun trying out activities from each of the different tools. For example; During class , I learned how to use Incredibox. This tools allows you to create music using beats , voices, sound effects , and the chorus. I was totally amazed, intrigued and impressed .

• Another example is when I was working on my activity log tracker assignment (Twitter) , I explored different tools that were connected with Twitter such as Bitly, Tweetdeck, Twubs and Tweet binder. At first I never knew that they are closely related to Twitter but, now I know I can not only stick to one website . I can choose another tech tool to socialize with ( e.g. ; using Twubs to join a group chat on education, entertainment, news).

OBSTACLES THAT I’VE ENCOUNTERED WHEN COMPLETING ASSIGNMENTS • Throughout the course I was capable of completing the assignments before class

and at home. Sometimes when I try to work on my assignments, I intend to face challenges that stand in between myself and the work. The first obstacle that I was noticing was trying to finish the work on time. At first I found it difficult of keeping up on the time ( e.g. submit the activity log tracker before Wednesday) but as I progressed throughout this semester , I started to get the rhythm of managing my time wisely of completing assignments at college & at home. I would definitely say that the timing was the biggest challenge for me.

• The first couple of weeks wasn’t easy at first. Exploring and learning different tech tools was the second obstacle that I was facing. It’s not like that I was afraid, it was understanding how to navigate / explore the webpages and trying to get out of my comfort zone . However, my fears had suddenly changed to excitement and willing to learn new tech-tools each week. It’s because that I started to feel confident working with other peers , the instructor and learning the basics of tech-ed. Staying in the comfort zone was the third obstacle that I’ve encountered on the first few weeks of this class.

REVIEW: LOOKING BACK & CONSIDERING THE FUTURE • Although this course is coming to an end I will always continue to look back on how my learning has

developed & changed from the first day of class to where I am right now. I’m absolutely grateful of taking this course this semester because I will be able to use my learning experience and take it to my future co-op placements. Technology is worth having in today’s society and we need it for social communication, teaching , creativity and / or just to have fun with it during our spare time.

• You’ll never know when Technology will become in handy. Once you get to know and experience it, you will feel totally amazed on learning them everyday throughout your life. I personally feel that I’ve become more confident on taking risks of experiencing technology. What I also noticed was seeing myself having a strong admiration towards technology and the passion of learning it day by day .

• There are many possibilities about what the future holds in store for my career. However, I believe that whatever road I’m walking on, I will know that I am making the perfect choice of taking the exact route to the road of success with a little help from technology.

REVIEW: LOOKING BACK & CONSIDERING THE FUTURE (CONT’D)

• My best advice to give to a future EA would be: “Technology maybe intimidating at first but you shouldn’t be afraid of it. Take a risk of trying out new tech tools that you’ve never heard about . Be creative and explore the possibilities‘’.

• What does success look like? To me it’s having the motivation ,inspiration, trust and confidence . Success is like climbing a mountain. You first need to achieve your short & long term goals in order for you to work your way up to the top of the peak.

• Overall, learning about technology in education is definitely the best learning experience I ever had. I absolutely enjoyed learning new ed-tech tools each week, understanding its purpose and the value of technology.

THE END. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!