Reflections

Reflection
Reflecting on the past weeks in this course, I am satisfied that incorporating technology into the learning process is possible and is a necessity. The course transformed my now old perception of technology as a distraction to the learning process. The problem was of a digital immigrant teacher that was ignorant of the power of the web 2.0 (Prensky, 2001).
In the course, I had the privilege of collaborating with professional colleagues through blogging. I was intimidated with web resources and research on the importance, implications and ways of using technology to enhance learning. I subscribed to the feeds of my classmates and some educational research websites like Tech & Learn, Partnership in learning 21st century skill among others. I explored the rich resources by various institutions that provide information that a student can use as a source of information. Learning is both for the teacher and student in the 21st century workplace. I was exposed to learning experiences like research findings, articles that underscore the importance and implication of the digital disconnect between the student and instructional process (Bull, 2004). I also had the opportunity of practicing the use of some 21st century skills like collaboration with the wiki, communication with podcast.
The course brought the awareness that my role as a teacher is one of facilitating and assessing learning (Thornburg, 2008). It also provides ways to guide my students to acquire and use the requisite 21st century skills in preparing for the workforce of the future. This implies that my instructional procedure must incorporate technology tools to allow the student acquire and practice the web 2.0 tools for learning rather than social networking only (Thornburg, 2004). Most of our students are digital natives so incorporating the digital language in learning increases motivation and engagement which is needed for effective learning process.
In order to expand my knowledge, I am going to continue collaborating with colleagues through blogging, subscribing to feeds, seminars as well as sharing my experiences (Nussbaum-Beach, 2008). I am also going to commit to lifelong learning
In my classroom, I am going to increase the frequency of the use of technology so that students get to express themselves and take control of their own learning as well as remove the classroom boundary to learning. They get to express their knowledge in the way they understand and that conform to their learning style (Prensky, 2001). I am also going to liaise with the instructional technology personnel to help in getting the outmost form of technological tools available. I will create an environment for learning from one another, other teachers using the web.
In conclusion this course has provided me with the necessary skills to teach content using 21st century skills with content in science using 21st century tools.

Resources
Bull, G., & Bull, G. (2004). The digital disconnect: A recent pew study. Learning and Leading with Technology, 31(4), 28–31
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008a). Program #17: Transforming the classroom with technology: Part 1 [Motion Picture]. In Understanding the impact of technology on education, work, and society. Baltimore: Author.
Nussbaum-Beach, S. (2008). No limits. Technology & Learning, 28(7), 14–18.
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants. On the Horizon, 9(5)
Thornburg, D. (2004). Technology and education: Expectations, not options. (Executive Briefing No. 401). Retrieved from http://www.tcpdpodcast.org/briefings/expectations.pdf
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008b). Program 11. Skills for the 21st Century [Motion Picture]. Understanding the impact of technology on education, work, and society. Baltimore: Author.