CED 521 Overall Class Reflection (Week Six)

This class has greatly expanded my understanding of a philosophy behind technology integration. While I still question how practical this scale is at the early elementary level, my knowledge of the LoTI scale has encouraged me to re-examine my instructional practices and challenge my students to use technology in a manner other than to check the temperature and play reinforcement style games and activities.

On a personal level, the demands of this program and everything else going on at work and in my personal life has taken my ability to multi-task and handle multiple demands to a new level. While I always considered myself to be a fairly good multi-tasker, I have definitely gained time-management skills and an ability to be more relaxed about stressors than in the past.

I have also greatly appreciated the flexibility and responsiveness that Ed has given as an instructor. More than with any other class, I feel as though he understands the demands and reality of those demands. Although challenging and at times frustrating, it has truly been an enjoyable class.

CED 521 Class Five Reflections

After reading through many of my classmates' blogs, I have a few reactions. Primarily, I felt my stress level rise as I read through everyone's anxiety-ridden rants about everything from work samples to managing life within the confines of this program. I too am feeling the stress of the program and knew that it would be intense. I wasn't prepared for the intensity that it has been! I'm hoping that once I get through the anxiety of report cards, conferences, a slew of IEPs, and moving, I will have more time to be more relaxed about this course. The philosophy I've tried to adopt within the stress of the last month is to keep plugging along, somehow it always all gets done. Who needs sleep anyways??? Another overarching theme is the lack of definition in criteria for assignments. This course has been better than most, although I still feel somewhat unclear. It would really help to have examples of some of the bigger projects (i.e. unit plan, comps). I additionally appreciate Ed's willingness to drop some of the "busy work" assignments from this course. We are still definitely meeting all the criteria without having to do as many seemingly pointless assignments. I sure hope he teaches again!

CED 521, Class Four

I found Wednesday's class to be somewhat different. I liked that our concerns were addressed and questions were answered. It's nice to know that someone is listening!

I was surprised at the different takes on the LoTI presentation. I assumed that they would be very repetitive and somewhat dull. Instead, I found each presentation to be unique and somewhat different although the information presented was similar. I also found the unintended use of our web conferencing to be a new and valuable experience. I have to admit I was a little uncomfortable because it was so different than anything I've experienced before. In the end, I thought it was an excellent demonstration of our technology skills and a great way to problem-solve. In the past we would have post-poned the presentation. It's amazing what can be done with technology!