Throughout this course, I found myself learning about new tools and resources that I never knew existed. I found myself to be growing and exploring throughout the past couple of weeks by completing these assignments, expressing myself and getting ideas from classmates. I have reached some goals and have even created new ones. By evaluating resources use of content, pedagogy and technology, I've learned the importance of the blend of all three of these criterias. I felt that this concept was the most valuable thing I discovered within this class because it will definitely benefit me in the future.
One of the effective teacher strategies I learned when integrating technology is to always reflect back on those UDL Principles. I think every teacher incorporating technology into their curriculum should have that check-list handy. It provided me with insight of different areas that I never normally thought about when planning a lesson. By having the opportunity to evaluate my own lesson plan creation with this check-list, I was able to recognize the things I need to work on as a teacher to make my lesson plans more differentiated for diverse learning styles. I also learned many things by evaluating a Web Quest. It gave me ideas of things I should try when creating my own but it also made me realize ideas that aren't so great and that I should avoid using in any of my future web-based creations.
I also really enjoyed creating my StAIR project. This project helped me to integrate UDL Principles and create a tool that I could use one day in my own classroom. I also was able to evaluate StAIR creations made by my classes using the UDL Principles. This was also very helpful because I am now understanding the importance of these principles and what I need to remember. I got to see otehr ideas and demonstrations that were present in other StAIR creations that I did not have in mine. This taught me a lot about myself and how I do things. I think I tend to get so wrapped in a big idea that I forget minor details and some times those details, at least in this case, are very important. This experience will definitely help me to stay on top of future assignments and/or lessons I create.
One goal of mine that I have met during this course is to find new technology resources that will be of use to me in the future. I found this with the Merlot site we used frequently during this course. I thought this was a very beneficial resource for all teachers. This website is an example of how important collaboration is within the education world. Not only can you submit your own ideas to share but you can also get ideas from other educators, tweek them and make them your own. Whether you use the direct link or change it and adapt it to your classroom content, it's an excellent site for any resource you want to use in your class. However, although this is a goal I have met, I think this is a goal that I can continue to set because technology is constantly growing and I am always learning.
Besides that goal, a new one that I have created for myself is to meet my UDL principles with all my lesson creations to come. I found that by doing this I can become a better educator because I will be able to accomodate multiple learning styles and diverse needs. I also set another goal to use the Merlot website as a tool for me in the future. It is a place that I can share what I've learned, but also to get ideas myself. As for my long-term goals, I hope that one day I can be an educated Spanish teacher who is able to use technology to lead her students to success by keeping my lessons engaging and interactive. My dream job would be to one day be an Educational Technology Coordinator within a school district. Either way, I know that these goals can both be accomplished by continuing my way through the MAET program and applying what I learn in the future.
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