As this semester comes to an end it is time to for me to reflect over my experience with my Educational Techniques course. I have learned a lot in these last four months mainly how to use the computer and Internet more effectively to plan technical experiences for young children in the classroom. I have gained knowledge that I would not have if this course was not required to complete my Early Childhood Development and Education degree. My professor has ask that as part of our final exam that we answer the questions below as a form of evaluation of our experience in this course.
a.
Coming into this course, what was your level of technological
savvy or skill? What aspects of the
course did you find the most difficult and which did you find the easiest? Upon entering this course my technological knowledge was limited. I knew how to send and open emails. I could use multiple serech engines for research. I would on occasion use Pinterest to acquire lesson plan activities. I am very formalise with Microsoft word, as I have become very acquainted with from the many papers i had to write. I did not know that there were sites such as Pic monkey that one could use to edit photographs. The most challenging part of this course for me has been creating technology extension of my lesson plans.
b. In what
ways has your level of technological skill/knowledge increased the most this
semester? I would have to say that my confidence in my own ability to use the computer. I am now able to figure it out opposed to just giving up when the technical task was to challenging. I have learned alot in this course. I never knew that you could download a brower, I have learned how to download google chrome. It is a much faster browser than any of the others.
c. What have
been your favorite activities/assignments in class so far and why? Learning how to create a blog. Having this platform to share my beliefs and practices about teaching young children is great. I can use my blog to introduce myself to future parents and to new jobs as well as use it to share learning experiences in the classroom. My favorite activities in this class has been using pic monkey, I can picture myself using it to edit my classroom photograph of myself and the children. I also like Pinterest, it is so many educational ideas that makes learning fun and meaningful for young children.
d. How do
you see yourself using educational technologies in the classroom (as a
teacher/student)? Out of all
the tools we’ve learned about so far this semester, which ones do you see using
the most frequently as a teacher/student and why? I can see myself using an Avatar to teach with. For example; I am teaching young children about the life cycle of a butterfly, the Avatar could be used to explain the cycle to the children. I would use the Avatar to read stories to the children. By first designing the Avatar and then by reading different books to the Avatar. The children will than be able to choose which story they would like to hear and click that Avatar.
e. What do
you want to know MORE about concerning educational? The next thing I want to learn is how to use a smart board effectively in the classroom. I want to learn how to design a website. An educational website that can be used to get ideas, strategies and practices as they relate to the education of young children
