Reflection...

This class showed me a few new technologies I have never thought of before.  One thing I never knew about was the flipped classroom.  I think this idea is a really good start to making the classroom about the students and not about listening to a lecture all class.  It engages the students more in the classroom, and it uses the knowledge they gained from the night before, instead of lecturing first, and then the students apply what they know by themselves at home.  I think this can involve more students and I think it can be very beneficial.  Let's see where else technology takes us !

I found that some of the websites we created accounts for, I will not use.  As much as I love technology, I believe it should be an asset to learning, not the whole learning process itself.  I still see nothing wrong with using a pencil and paper when students want to figure out a math problem.  However, I see where technology can be useful, especially when students might work in groups.  Wikispaces can be a easy and effective way for students to work with each other without having to coordinate a common meeting time.

I feel tech savvy going forward.  I know that if I do not know how to use a piece of technology or a new website, I will be able to figure it out, given I have a wide tech background now.  I do not have a lot of fears when it comes to technology.  I used to be a PC girl all the way, but about three or four years ago, I was converted to Apple products, and I am now able to use both systems.  I feel I have worked my way through both products, and I am ready to tackle anything :)

I am still unsure whether I will use this blog, or other blogs in my future classroom.  I so see a class blog beneficial, I do not want to take away a lot of class time to show my students how to create a blog, and how to use a blog.  However, I can see a benefit to having a blog, especially when the students are at home and have a question on homework or a concept they do not understand.  As long as students do not use the blog as a way to just get answers, it can definitely be an aide in the learning process.