TPTE 486 Experiences

When I started this class, I felt somewhat confident in my ability to use technology in the classroom. I had previously taken a general computer science course, and I have worked with technology both as a user and in the classroom as a practicum student prior to this class. However, I had never used some of this technology in the way that we did in class (which I will talk about in a moment) and had never used some of it at all.

My favorite projects in the course were actually the two biggest projects - the interactive whiteboard flipchart and the digital story. I had never worked with ActivInspire before, nor had I created my own flipchart or even heard about Promethean Planet. I really enjoyed trying to find ways to make the content I was covering interactive and fun for my students. Because I want to teach science, I am constantly looking for ways to make learning hands on and fun, especially outside of the lab. I liked putting all the small parts together to make one large final piece of work. This is also why I enjoyed working on the digital story. Prior to that project, I had never worked with iMovie professionally. I find iMovie to be a really fun tool to work with in general, but creating something I could use in the classroom with it was highly satisfying. The final product that came from putting all the smaller parts together was very personally gratifying for me, and I think it is something that does not take too much time, especially now that I'm familiar with ways to use the program. It is something I highly expect I will work into my curriculum in the future.

I do not really think there was any part of this class that I did not enjoy or reap some benefit from, honestly. I feel like I now have a lot more knowledge about technology and how to use it in the classroom, as well as a variety of resources to use already. I have no suggestions for anything to add to or remove from the course overall. I really enjoyed this class, and I definitely feel more prepared to use the technology I will likely find in my classroom - from interactive whiteboards to iPads and smart phones. But I do not only feel much more confident in my ability to use the technology, but also in my ability to help other teachers and students use the technology. Hopefully, I will end up in a tech savvy school, willing to allow me to use the most technology I can for the maximum benefit my students!