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.