Reflection+Seven

// Reflection Prompt: //** Reflect on how you perceive yourself as an online learner? Are you well-prepare to be an online leaner? Tell us about what you need to improve in order to be a successful online learner. **

Description:

I perceive myself as as an online learner both because I am enrolled in the instructional technology program and because I spend a lot of time online doing research and utilizing resources. Although I am not as savvy as I could be, I understand enough about technology to use what I know to figure out a new tool. In order to be more successful, I need to educate myself more about learning management systems and how to navigate one more efficiently.

Impact: This week, I have been contemplating the transition from traditional paper/pencil learning to digital technology learning. In the school setting, there are so many issues to deal with, I begin to wonder if it isn't just simpler to take out paper and pencil. For example, our task this week was to create pod casts using Audacity. We have 3 computer labs in our building, but we were still not able to use any one computer brand to create our projects without having to sacrifice something. We ended up completing the pod casts on Macs with headphones to hear our music, but without the ability to use the microphone on the headsets to record. The students had to speak into the computer. All background noise from the room was recorded too. The impact is less than acceptable projects when finished. I spent hours trying to find a place for them to record that would do what we needed to do. Two other educators also helped in the preparation.

Intent: I know that if using technology is always this much effort, I will not continue to use it as much. I am required to teach language arts standards which my students will be tested on, not technology standards. If technology can not be used efficiently and easily, it will not be used. This is an issue that school districts need to address. Time is precious. Technology should afford better time management, but it does not, due to the complexity of use in the school setting.