Reflection

This week wraps up my Educational Technology class and ends my blogging requirements.  At this point, I am not sure I can stop.  I may have to join bloggers anonymous.  "Hi, my name is Hope, and I'm a blog addict!"
I have considered blogging several times in the past as a way of journaling but always decided I would not keep with it long enough to make it worthwhile.  Having an assignment to blog weekly has been fun and interesting.  Surprisingly, I have more to share that I expected.  Maybe it is the unknown audience - I can just assume you are interested in my ramblings.  Or maybe its just my unending need to talk, even in written form.

Reflection on Ed Tech:
I have learned a lot in my Ed Tech class.  I explored and played with lots of technology I had heard of but never really experienced.  I feel more comfortable now with the thought of using technology in the classroom and have better expectations of student and learning outcomes.  With technology, I hope to improve communications with students and parents through websites, blogs and RSS feeds.  I hope to inspire learning with internet based tools as well as I-pad apps to make learning more fun and interesting.  I plan to teach student real life skills in technology that will endure even as technology changes, like copyright regulations, research evaluation tools and communication skills.

As I progress through my alternative certification and come closer to my goal of being a teacher, I am becoming more confident and excited about the prospect of teaching.  I have always felt I could connect with kids, but now I am learning skills that will allow me connect kids with knowledge.  I am looking forward to my future as an educator and my students' future as productive, educated citizens.

PS:  My e-portfolio can be found here.  While it is obviously not finished and will evolve with me, I am quite proud of all I have managed to accumulate so far.