My Course Reflection

MY COURSE REFLECTION

            As I reflect upon the course Educational Technology and all that I have accomplished by doing this course, it helped me as a person to realise how important the use of technology is.  As a result of doing this course, I have gained a better understanding of how I can incorporate the use of technology within my lessons.  There are a number of things that I would say I now have knowledge of doing, which I did not know to some extent that could be done until I started doing Educational Technology.   As for me, this course was somewhat challenging, but with the help of my lecturer I was able to understand what was being taught and benefited tremendously.

The first unit of this course was all about Introduction to Educational Technology. This unit give me an insight as to what the course was all about and the different tools in which one can use in teaching and all the elements that are involved.  The content that was covered in this unit included:  the Introductions, Overview of Course, Computer Terminology, Define Educational Technology, Personal Philosophy and goals for using Technology in Education, Educational Technology Standards (ISTE NETS – Teachers & Students), Selecting and Using Technology (SECTIONS Model), Technology Integration Matrix, Learning environment that facilitates technology integration, Issues regarding equity, access, social, ethical and human issues of using technology in education, Framework for evaluating Educational Technology, Technology Literacy in the Society and the Government regulations and the implications for educational technology.

The second unit which was looked at was the Theoretical Framework of Educational Technology.  This unit involved items about Reflecting on Learning Experiences, Learning Theories, Relationship between learning theory and technology integration and Utilize theoretical models for teaching and learning environment.

The third unit was based on Instructional Planning which involved: Instructional System, Dales Cone of Experience, and Instructional Design Models, ASSURE Model and ADDIE Model. From this unit, a course work was given to design a lesson for teaching based on the use of the assure model and the Dales Cone of Experience.

The fourth unit involved Designing Effective Computer-based Instructional Support Tools which consisted of items such as Instructional Software, Mobile Phones, Desktop Publishing, and Computer-based Digital Storytelling, Podcasts and Interactive PowerPoint.  This unit help to prepare me for what was to come.

The fifth unit was all about Designing Effective Web-based Instructional Support Tools which involved: Text-Based Tools, Blogging, Social Networking, Wiki Tools, Audio/Video Tools, Podcasting/Youtube, Productivity Tools, Google doc/Google drive, Prezi, Webquest – (Zunal.com),Online Content/Learning Objects,  and Websites – Yola&Weebly, Cartoons – Toon doo, Pixton.  This unit also helped me in preparing a Digital Portfolio that was the final piece of assignment that would close off the course.

The sixth unit was based on Assessment with Technology which included: Technology and rubrics, Technology for diagnosis, Technology-based interventions, and Educational technology continuum in the Jamaican Education System (Using technology based on low technology to high technology).

And the seventh and final unit of this course was based on Trends in Educational Technology, which involved: Trends in technology and media – impact on teachers and students, Educational Technology and exceptional students, Communities of practice (COP) and Distance Education.

Overall this course has allowed me to gain on my prior knowledge of Educational Technology and how I can incorporate technology in my classroom and in my profession on a hold to help make what I do more interesting and enjoyable.  Thanks to this course I now can use what I have achieved to help in the teaching and learning process.  I must say this course was one that is of great importance in society today and is one that was worthwhile doing.

My wikispaces

PowerPoint

PowerPoint on taxation

My WebQuest

My WebQuest on Source Document - Sales Invoice

Lesson Plan Assure Model

Lesson Plan Assure Model

Subject:          Principles of Business

Topic:             The Roles of Government

Subtopic:        Taxation

Grade:            Ten (B)

Age Group:    15 to 16 years 

Time:             30 minutes

Date:               March 09, 2015

Analyze Learners

The lesson is organized for students of a 10-grade class. The class has a population of 15 students. There is one (1) male and fourteen (14) females in the class. The students are fascinated about Principles of Business. 80% of the group of students has managed to maintain an average above 75%. The Learning style in the class varies from linguistic to spatial and to bodily/kinesthetic learners. The students’ level of focus during class is very hard to maintain as their attention span is limited. In order to deal with these issues, the lessons must be able to facilitate and accommodate the needs of the students' in order to grab the students’ attention span. Learning styles in this class comprises of different students such as visual to auditory and also kinetic.

Entry competencies

Students should be able to obtain a knowledgeable understanding of Taxation.

Learning Styles:

Students learning styles may vary from visual to auditory and also kinetic learners. In order to ensure that learning takes place with each of the students, each of the learning styles must be considered.  The text that is recommended for this grade is the CXC Principles of Business with SBA, Study Guide & Exercises By Karlene Robinson & Sybile Hamil.

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

Cognitive

1.1  Accurately define the term Taxation after watching and listening to the video.

Psychomotor

1.2  Identify the different forms of tax after discussion.

Affective

1.3 Explain the two different types of taxes after discussion.

Selected Media, Materials and Methods

Whiteboard: to give a visual display of the lesson and to record students’ responses.

 Projector: will be used to present the power point presentation. 

External speakers: will be used for students to listen to the video.

Computer: This will be used to introduce the topic by the use of video and also to show power point presentations. The version of the power point that is being used is power point (2010) to provide students with information on the definition of taxation, principles of taxation, the different types of tax and the reasons for taxation.

Discussion: to enhance critical thinking and get students involved in the lesson.

Questioning: to get feedback from the students and to test their understanding.

Explanation: will be used to clarify students’ understanding.

Cooperative Learning: to encourage communication and teamwork.

Utilize Media and Material

Preview the Material

The teacher will listen to the clip ensuring that video is functioning properly and the audio and external speakers are functioning properly and clear. The teacher will examine the overhead projector and the computer ensuring their compatibility. 

Prepare the Materials

The teacher will set up the computer and overhead projector before the class start and equipment will then be turned on and tested.

Prepare the Environment

The seating will be arranged so that all students will have a clear view of the projection. The external speakers will be placed at a volume where all students will be able to hear the video clearly. The overhead projector will only be used for the first ten minutes of the lesson where the teacher will deliver her introduction. 

Prepare the Learners

The teacher will inform the students of the activities planned before the class. The students will also be informed of the evaluation exercises that they will be given at the end of the class. By doing this, the students will be comfortable when the class begins.

Provide the Learning Experience

Students will listen to a video after which they will be engaged in a question and answer discussion to formulate a definition for motivation. Students’ responses will be recorded on the board by the teacher. Clarifications will be made if necessary. Students will be allowed to record this in their notebooks.

In addition, the students and teacher will be engaged in a discussion. During the discussion, students will be asked to identify two different ways employees can be motivated in a business organization. The teacher will compare her information by means of a power point presentation with that of the students. Students will be given two minutes to record the information in their notebooks.

As well students and teacher will be engaged in a demonstration showing, how to construct a concept map ,after which they will be asked to draw a concept map showing at least two reasons why it is important  to motivate employees in a business organization. The teacher will compare her information via power point presentation. Clarifications will be made if necessary. Students will then record this in their notebooks.

Require Learners Participation

Students will be placed in three groups. Each group should have a leader who will be a business owner and the others will be the employees. Each group should then discuss how their employer can motivate them to be better workers. A representative from each group will share at least one means of motivation.

Evaluate and Revise

A game will be played whereas each student will pick a strip of paper from a bag and whatever is written on the paper the student will be asked to identify the word and provide an explanation.