902- Final Reflective Post

This course has been a fantastic learning experience. I will try to be concise with what I have learned and how I will apply these things. Though, with so much great content, I feel like I am going to leave out something. Like picking my favorite children (at home or in class), I am going to leave out some good stuff.

• Bookakucha- This was a great activity that had many possible uses. Eduprotocols are ways that I can use a template to create many possible applications. This is good pedagogy because it allows the student time to reflect on their learning, in this case on a book they have been reading. In addition, it allows the students an opportunity to present, even if it is just a short time. I think this will also help with those students who are being disrespectful when I teach, because we all want to be heard, so they will gain some empathy when others are sharing. So, students get an opportunity to hit several standards in reading, writing and presenting (among others). The open structure makes this a great addition to the classroom.
• Hyperdocs- I can’t wait to add this to my toolbox. The thing I liked about this is that the structure is something that could be adapted to many content areas. Plus I love that there are many resources already created that we can “borrow” and share from and with others. One of the main things that makes this a good teaching practice is that it can be adapted for differentiating between our students.

Having it as a document on the computer can allow developing readers to use text to speech tools. Or, as a teacher, I can include videos (whether I create them or link from YouTube), that helps many of our students. The reflection piece from students can also be individualized depending on how students can respond, using speech to text tools, typing an answer and/or including their own video response. So many possibilities.

• Search- For me, one of the valuable tools was the Custom Search Engine. This was one that I could have used with my 2nd graders. What it allows me to do is to create some imposed structure around a topic we are studying. The custom search lets me help students search topics in kid friendly, age appropriate search on the topic I want them to learn about. Like habitats.

Sometimes I may want students to develop their discernment skills in what is a good site, but sometimes I want them limited so they can focus on learning about a topic. CSE allows me to support my students in their learning. This is similar to going to the library and I tell them to pick books about a certain topic. Another good tool to use.

As far as my final project, I can certainly use some of these ideas to guide me. For me, a big one is the Hyperdoc. I am still partially undecided on the specific direction but I know I can easily include Hyperdocs to help with that. I am on the Hyperdoc bandwagon for sure.

Elective Status- I am only through about 5 modules of my first elective, at this time. It is the end of the school year and all that entails. My plan is to get more focused when we are off (and even now that report cards and such are done). I am currently in TEC 950- Web Tools and plan on taking the PBL and Tech and the Creating a Class Website course, both of which I am looking forward to doing.

Derrick