Reflection

Throughout this course, the critical importance of utilizing technology in instruction has become obvious to me. I have been made aware of so many rich technology resources that I can have my students utilize to enhance their learning and better their assignments and projects. As an English teacher, who is continually pressured to make sure I am adequately teaching to the standards and hitting all of the required curriculum, it is easy to lose perspective of the importance of including technology in into as many different lessons as possible. This class has given me a renewed focus on making sure I am giving my students the best education possible, by actively incorporating technology elements into my curriculum. Is it realistic for me to utilize technology every day? No. Is there lab space available to me on a daily basis? No. However, I can make a conscious effort to schedule lab time in advance to ensure my students do not have to be limited.

Thanks to my classmates, I have been introduced to a variety of different websites that I hadn’t known about prior to this class, and they will all enable me to give my students a number of different learning experiences and technology-rich lessons.
In addition, working through the GAME plan model also reminded me of the importance of creating structured, well-formatted lesson plans. I was already practicing many of the components that are present in the GAME plan, but it was a good reminder to make sure each of my lessons identify the technology that I will use, the modifications I will make for individual students, as well as a clearly-identified back-up plan.

As a whole, this class has given me some incredibly valuable resources that I will take with me into this new school year, and I will make focused, conscious effort to create and implement lessons that utilize technology as a means to enhance learning.