EDLD+5306+-+Course+Reflections

> the bad. I also learned several things from others in the group from reading the discussion boards. The week we discussed the safety, ethics, and privacy issues with using the technology in the classroom; there were many great topics and discussions on the board. I was able to find out how other school districts handled different situations. The course opened my eyes to many of the fears of the school districts as well of ideas to help avoid these situations in the future. I feel that the knowledge gained from this course will help me in the classroom this upcoming year as well as in the many courses to come.
 * 1) **What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned?** I was expecting to learn the basics about technology in the classrooms and the school districts. From the articles that were assigned for weekly readings, I learned quite a bit of information about technology in the classrooms. There were many areas covered, from the good to
 * 1) **To the extent that you achieved the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not?** The outcomes that I achieved through this course had a lot to do with using discussion boards as well as keeping my students safe. Through discussions on the board and articles that I read, I feel that I will be better suited in the classroom now. Even though I teach math courses, I will still be able to incorporate discussion boards in my classroom. Being leery of using the internet for much more than research, I feel more comfortable integrating technology into my lesson plans. There are many areas that I will pay very close attention to for the safety of the students as well as myself. If there are any chances that students are bullying other students through the discussion boards, I feel more comfortable about addressing it now. I will more than likely have the students choose a “pen name” so that I will be able to prevent the cyber bulling before it starts.
 * 2) ** What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them? ** One of the outcomes that I did not achieve was I did not make it back to fixing my assignment from week one. This really needed to be done and I wanted to make it back to get it fixed, but I did not have time in my schedule. I have been going non-stop since I was told that I could re-do that assignment. Since I did not make it back to this assignment, I do not feel that I know very much about the Texas Long-Range Plan. Since the schools are based on the Texas Long-Range Plan, I will go back and read it very closely to have a better understanding as to where the schools should be in the future. I know this plan is a very big part of my future, due to the fact that the degree that I am getting is lead by this plan.
 * 3) ** Were you successful in carrying out the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you? ** In the beginning, I had a very hard time with the course assignments. I felt like a blind goose in a hail storm. I feel that if I would have looked at the syllabus more closely and understood what was expected of me, then that would have made a difference. Once I realized what was expected, I tried to pull myself out of the rut that I had created. The main issue that discouraged me was my lack of time management. I felt that there was no leading up to this course for me, so I had to hit the ground running. Towards the end of the course, I was getting better at this. I know it is not an excuse, but I was in a bad relationship during this course. I was also in the process of leaving the school that I was teaching at. Everything just began adding up and taking up all my time, instead of giving this course the time it needed.
 * 4) ** What did you learn from this course…about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes? ** Personally, I know that I need to put out more efforts in the courses in the future. I had very poor time management skills, but I know that I can change that. I was not prepared mentally to start this course. Now, my mind is in the right mindset to excel at the courses to come. My technology skills were exactly where I thought they were. I did learn a few things about technology. I did not realize the leadership skills that I have. I have always been told that I am a great leader, but through articles and readings I feel more confident in myself. I know that I can make a great leader in bringing more technology in the classroom; whether it is just being a teacher and showing those around me, or if I am in an Educational Technology Integration Specialist position. I am more confident and more comfortable in my course work as well, after having a short web conference with the professors and my fellow students.