My final reflections....

This is going to be a rather long post, so my apologies in advance...

What have I learned in this course to further my own technology integration?

While I’ve been introduced to various new Web 2.0 tools (Animoto might be my favorite - I really enjoyed creating the Recycling Relay video), I think that the fact that I created and maintained a blog and participated in a professional learning network are, by far, the biggest accomplishments.

While I still have some concerns about my privacy, I’ve found the experience to be helpful both personally and professionally. Maintaining a blog has helped me appreciate some of the ways I’ve already integrated technology into my classroom (and I like reading the kudos in comments).

Reading my classmates blogs and looking at their projects has influenced me. Two examples:

Andrea’s final project using The Cay started a discussion with the Grade 5 teachers about using a dusty, unused class set of the novels for next year. Since we have Grade 5 students reading at a middle school level already, they can utilize her unit as a way of integrating technology into their classrooms for Chapter 11 of the novel.

Dan’s Prezi on digital citizenship made me consider how I had designed my own Prezi, and over the summer, I’ll be modifying my own presentation as I give it “more meat.” After looking at his Prezi, even though he considered it basic, I thought mine needed more substance; however, I have no plans to drop some of the Korean cultural references in my own (since it’s important for the new teachers to be aware of these facets of culture).

How far have I come?

Part of me is pleased with what I was already doing within my classroom. When I look back to my first blog post, and I think about how I was kicking myself for not feeling as though I was doing enough, I realize that this is a gradual process. But I’m starting to appreciate the idea of maintaining a PLN, especially when I feel as though I need to do more to understand Korean culture and language, and my role as a principal.

I already give parents and my students some access to my classroom through my Weebly website, but now it’s time to take things to the next level. I need to feel comfortable with them accessing my blog as I express some of my ideas. I still won’t have a Facebook account, especially with all of the data mining going on, but if I want the students to be responsible digital citizens, then I need to model responsible blogging.

How I’m going to apply what I've learned in this course within my profession (and since I believe we should integrate technology into the classroom, this is how I plan to work with my teachers to implement enhanced integration).

As the new elementary school principal, I plan to post some questions from The Connected Educator, (from page 144) on my school blog (and office wall). When I’m having conversations with teachers and parents, I want the focus to remain on ways to answer these questions.

Nussbaum-Beach and Hall suggested that we think about:

What principled changes should we be making to our classrooms to ensure that we are developing in students the skills sets they will need as they face future challenges?

Creating more opportunities for student-centered learning is key.

Are we preparing kids for yesterday, today, or tomorrow?

The mission of KIS is to promote preparing kids for tomorrow through English education (the new global lingua franca), and through project-based learning activities utilizing Web 2.0 tools and a 1 to 1 laptop program.

Are current classroom techniques helping those we teach become future scientists, technologists, and imagineers who will solve the social ills of the society of the future?

I would say that the Service Learning component to the curriculum is one way that my school tries to help kids think more globally.

How can we collectively advocate best for needed policy changes that will enable our teachers and students to engage in connected, authentic learning?

I think forming a PLN within the elementary school will be a big step towards helping teachers advocate (and share) ideas about authentic learning.

How can we help our students be ready to learn using tools we cannot yet imagine?

I would say that if students have strong basic communication skills (reading, writing, and digital), they can adapt and teach themselves.

And so, in conclusion, I'd just like to say that it's been an interesting, and at times challenging, journey. I'm glad I took this course. I came along at the right time for me in my professional life.