Reflection for week 1

I can honestly say that I am excited about this class and the topic. From reading the class “introductions,” it seems we all have general technology knowledge—Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.—and it is interesting to learn that people have experimented themselves with and within their classrooms with more complex technology (in my opinion). I am generally interested in using technology and its capabilities; however, I’m embarrassed to admit that there is a mountain of information on technology out there with which I am unfamiliar. Although I work in education, my role is as an administrator verses K-12 teacher, so I do not develop curriculum for the classroom, but support U of M staff, students, and faculty. I see it as a necessary and on going part of my job to be familiar with and literate of technology, no matter the format—podcasting, Interactive Television (ITV), WebCT/Vista, FileNet. I do see many similarities between K-12 and my job as far as how technology can be incorporated and its limitless possibilities.

This is the sixth class I have taken in the M.Ed. program, and the first that has requested all assignments and feedback be dealt with through WebCT. I am a bit intimidated, but look forward to learning how to work with the technology. I can then take my experiences back to the instructors I work with to see if they are interested in incorporating it in to their curriculum.

I found the Jonassen reading and the Greenhow reading interesting and thought provoking. With regards to Jonassen’s piece, to think of computers as Mindtools that facilitate learning for students, I found myself in a topic and using a term I had never experienced. I felt particularly drawn to the use of computers as Mindtools because I am a person that can not just read to learn. I have to engage with content—read, write, discuss—to fully develop and understand meaning. It is exciting to think there are various computer applications that can assist learning and knowledge development for people such as myself. With regards to the Greenhow piece, I was drawn to how the constructivist theory stresses that the teacher and/or learner be an active part of the process to make meaning. I believe that teachers serve an integral part of the learning process, but agree that if they take the constructivist standpoint in their classroom, they will help to support “a learner-centered classroom.”

Overall, I look forward to learning and experimenting with various technology tools/software/programs in this class.