EDLD+5364++Week+3+Reflection

Week 3 Reflection
The readings, videos, and discussion from this week, Week 3, have given me insight into incorporating more technology into the classroom. The Solomon and Schrum text highlighted innovative schools and the many ways that they are using technology within many different subjects. There were many new ideas to draw from and to try to incorporate into my own classroom and into the group project. The PItler text stressed the importance of providing students with feedback, even declaring it “the most powerful single innovation that enhances (student) achievement” (Pitler 2007). Another important point from this text was that “teachers should design a quality lesson first, and then select the most appropriate technologies to support that lesson.”

The videos this week that focused on the Digital Youth Project participants Luis and Cameron were incredible. They illustrated the level of engagement that students can rise to and demonstrated the role reversals that occur in technology-rich classrooms where the teacher sometimes becomes the student and vice versa. As my group continues to collaborate on the group project, I am learning many new ideas to reach the needs of diverse learners today. Technology integration seems to be an excellent way to differentiate lessons to meet those diverse needs. Each week in this course brings new ideas and new illustrations of meeting the needs of all students, while improving overall student achievement through the implementation of more and more technology.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., Malenoski, K., (2007) Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, pp. 41, 217.