Reflection

REFLECTION FOR COURSE EDUC-67101-2








Reflection for Course EDUC-67101-2
Victoria Menna-Perez
Walden University
A New Mind Set
EDUC-67101-2
Kevin Jarrett
April 23, 2009
Reflection for Course EDUC-67101-2

This course, “Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society” has fulfilled the S1.1 Specialization outcome by offering resources that have deepened my understanding of what education in the 21st century should become. I have gained increased understanding of this by listening to the expert presenters such as Dr. David Thornberg and Dr. Chris Dede discuss how education should include more producing and discovery. Reading articles such as Marc Prensky’s “Turning On the Lights” has lead me to “acknowledge that today’s kids grow up differently and that students are enlightened by all their various connections to the world” (Prensky, 2008). Watching YouTube videos was enlightening because it highlighted all the hours each day that students multitask using digital methods. The discussions I participated in allowed me to see what other professional educators are teaching in their classrooms. I learned that they are using technology based projects to explain knowledge. I recognize that they must adapt and overcome institutional barriers.
This evolving role is progressing smoothly with the help of this course. I am changing to satisfy the demands of the digital natives. This course has raised my awareness of learning perspectives. The applications of this course have strengthened my confidence for using the Web 2.0 methods for researching and (learning) activities for the students. It has taught me to create blogs, wikis, and pod casts. I am infusing new pedagogical skills into my learning environment. Presently students in the Perez art room are filming their constructive commercials. Because this course has shown me that students can reach a zone of proximal level as explained by Dr. David Thornburg, a theory from Vygostsky, I am depending on the students for guidance with the video camera. They have reached that zone with this project because I am no longer a teacher-centered classroom environment. This environment will allow the students to grow and improve on their methods with the Web 2.0 practice at home as well as in school. Students can bring new ideas from the home back to the classroom.
By creating small communities where new roles are acted upon, my students will learn to be successful in their future. The future brings communications from across the globe in our now flattened world. My future as an art teacher will improve because the experiences from EDUC-67101-2, “Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society” has given me adaptability, knowledge, and practices to become a 21st century teacher.