FINAL REFLECTIONS ON ALL WEEKS

Final Reflections

I had an awesome experience throughout the course! Despite the fact it was an intensive MOOC, the content of the units was absolutely awesome. I liked the fact each unit started with Shelly Terrell’s introductory video to the unit. Her voice and words were always encouraging and she highlighted key points of each new week; this way, participants were smoothly introduced to each week’s challenges. I believe I got more reflective on my instruction practices and I developed to a goal-minded teacher; I realized the significance of mission-based learning to inspire my students. Moreover, I was excited with the abundance of resources and free web tools and apps we were provided with in order to try them in our challenges and with our classes! I tried out genial.ly to create an interactive image for my survival kit challenge and google sites to use as a learning diary/portfolio for all the weeks of the MOOC. I found them user-friendly and quite appealing. I have to further explore google sites as I believe there are more features I have not found out yet .

I loved all the MOOC’s assignments! My most favourite one was that of transforming a task into a learning mission in week 2 and then issuing a badge for my students. I believe it was extremely helpful because it focused on how a teacher can provide students with meaningful and engaging experiences of learning which relate to their real world. The learning mission I planned to send my students to was to get them create and share a digital book with a classmate as an act of kindness. In her amazing book, Hacking Digital Learning Strategies, Shelly Terrell inspires teachers with ten learning missions they can use with their students. Have a look at the graphic I have created on the missions the book includes.

The most helpful unit was that of the digital learning theories, in unit 3, because they explained how a teacher can effectively use technology to transform his/her instruction. I also liked the tips on classroom management in unit 4.

The challenge I found a bit demanding was that of designing a digital esafety, citizenship and learning resource for parents because I felt it needed a great deal of time to research, gather and design the final resource. Despite the fact I received very positive feedback from the peer reviews on my assignment, I feel it needs to be enriched and, of course, constantly updated in the future.

All in all, the Goal-Minded Teacher MOOC offered me incredible knowledge and lots of inspiration. I enjoyed sharing my completed assignments and reflections! I loved reading my co-participants' hard work and their innovative ideas on how they can empower their students. I hope I will have the time to read more of their thoughts and creations as soon I have more free time! Thank you, Shelly Terrell, Fabiana Casella and Jake Duncan for the knowledge you shared, your inspiration, your encouragement and support throughout the course! I had a fantastic experience!

A Goal-Minded Teacher,

Anthi