Reflection
Artifact: ECMP 355 – Course Reflection Blog Post View here
Description:
I took the course ECMP 355 – Introduction to Computers in the Classroom with Alec Couros during the 2008 Spring semester. Throughout the course we were introduced to a ton of resources, tools and inspiring educators. One of our last tasks for the class was a Reflection; to take a look back on everything you have done this semester and how/what you will take with you from this course. I reflected on this course summarizing some of the important things I had learned as well as some tools and ideas that I had planned to take with me to improve my teaching. With so many amazing resources, tools, projects and contacts in this course it was necessary to do a reflection just so that one could catch their breathe and soak everything in.
Impact:
In this instance I felt that a course reflection was very much needed. At times in the course I was blown away with the amount free web2.0 teaching tools that are out there and trying to test all of them out. It was really important that students took a step back and looked at what they had learned, preventing them from forgetting about some amazing tools by just simply forgetting and not keeping up with what they have been shown. I feel that often times students learn and discover amazing new things but when it is just a quick one stop introduction (and there is no follow up) that students tend to forget about it.
Intention/Challenges:
How will I continue to use reflections to my advantage as an undergraduate education student? In what ways can I incorporate reflective practices into my teachings so that my learners may benefit? How can I best use reflections in a Physical Education setting? A middle years setting? High school setting?
Recommendations:
As an undergraduate student I should continue to reflect on my courses, experiences and changing thoughts. I can do this through writing and blogging. I must make the effort to take time during the semester and reflect back on older issues and also look at current issues. As an educator I could have my students do journal entries every class or every so often which would allow them to reflect on the course material, their ideas and thoughts.
