Reflection on the course-Education Technology

As a classroom teacher, I have always had some reservation about using different technologybased instructions in my lessons, because I really did not know how to use most of them. Once I
started the course the course in Education Technology, I realized that I had to quickly familiarize
myself with using different tools, devices and websites. Being a frequent user of technology, and
using technology at every opportunity,has given me such self-confidence, that I am now
eagerlyanticipating any opportunity that I will get to show off what I have learnt.
I believe that technology integration continues to increase in the Jamaican society. In the year
2015, 38 educational institution were given tablets under a Tablets in Schools pilot programme
as one such initiative, to encourage the use of technology in schools.It is therefore very important
that as teachers we acquire the skills and behaviours of professionals in a digital age. As
facilitators of learning wemust be competent enough if we are to guide students.
The course afforded me the opportunity to use technology to teach a topic using the Assured
Lesson Plan. Applying technology in the lessons and viewing how other students applied
technology to their lessons, has had a great impact on me.This experience has given me more
knowledge of technology gadgets such as using the internet to create website/blogs, having
discussions and gaining information through schoology, podcasts, movie makers, interactive
presentations and much more. The lessons that were presented were so interactive, that it made
me anticipate the differences in my lessons and the students and how the student will enjoy my
lessons.This course has taught me different techniques that I can use to plan effective lesson
plans for students. It has also taught me how to select an appropriately use technology to enhance
my lessons. Using the knowledge of technology application, I can help my students and my

colleagues to analyze, learn, explore and think critically and also to be creative, innovative in this
digital age.
I have learned so many new ways to incorporate technology into my classroom that it has made
all the frustration and challenges worth the while. I have learned how to engage students more by
using technology in different ways, such as telling story using audacity to record my voice or
using movie maker to show and tell the story. I have also learned how to operate many tools and
wesites that will become useful in helping my teaching skills in the classroom. The greatest
reward from this course was been able to look at some of the things that I had created using
different tools, and just feeling proud of myself. I even opted to try different things even though I
wasnt sure how it would work, but because of my determination and curiosity, I did it anyway
and it worked.
As I willingly accepted the opportunity to explore educational technology, my darkened state
was lit as it was brought to my attention how technology savvy the 21st century learners are.
However, as the course progressed new information surfaced. At vary points in the course I felt
frustrated, and at times I had to drag myself to class, because the work load was too much.
Depressed at times, I continued to try and seek assistance when needed, knowing that it would
only boost to my success.
As I continue to reflect I realize that this course has helped me to understand that the use of
interactive educational activities can promote higher order thinking skills, such as problem
solving, critical thinking and creativity. I have proven this to be true, based on the presentations
and group teaching lessons done in class. This course has helped me as I work with my
colleagues and we collaborate and make decisions while we used various activities such as;

Microsoft power point, publisher, and podcast/audio recording to create meaningful, learning
experiences.Without a doubt technology has become a vehicle for educational growth and I am
happy to be a part of this vision. One thing I would change if I had to do this course again, is the
negative attitude that I used to approach this course at the beginning. After one semester doing
Education technology, I can say Look at me now
Reflection on the various tools created guided by the ISTE NETS Standards
The course Educational Technology has helped to extend my knowledge and made me more
confident, when using the various tools and technology devices to facilitate learning. The
Educational Technology course has shed some needed light in the ISTE Standards, formerly
known as the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS), are standards for the use of
technology in teaching and learning.They are published by the International Society for
Technology in Education (ISTE), a nonprofit membership association for educators focused
oneducational technology. They include the ISTE Standards for Students, which list skills and
attitudes expected of students, which therefore guides teachers as to how to integrate technology
in the classrooms.
Educational Technology has given us first-hand experience as to how to use the ASSURE model
for lesson planning. With the idea of making learning more student centred and using Inductive
Methods of teaching, the ASSURE model assisted perfectly. The ASSURE lesson plan stresses,
the analysis of the learner, clearly stating the objectives, selection of the materials, media and
methods, the utilization of the media and materials requisition of the learners attention and
proper evaluation. I really benefited from using the ASSURE lesson plan, because I now know
what an interactive students centred lesson should feel like. As the different teams of students

taught their lesson using the ASSURE lesson plans in different subject areas, I was exposed to
various ways of effectively engaging students in the lesson,such as using interactive videos,
webquest, wiki, power point, movie maker along with other technology tools. The lessons were
so interactive, that topics and subjects that were once seen as boring became quite interesting.
The use of technology in education involves computer based or web based tools. The ISTE
NETS standards were implemented for both teachers and students to ensure best practices
through the use of technology. The ISTE NETS standards focus on learning and creativity and
how teachers can facilitate these qualities in students through the use of technology. It also looks
at the learning experiences and assessments through the use of technology, while asking teachers
to assess their own progress in the development of technology-enriched learning
environments.These standard asks teachers to model digital-age work and learning in their
teaching.Digital age skills are important in preparing students to work, live and contribute to
their communities. The ISTE NETS for students are the standards for evaluating the skills
students need to learn effectively and live productively in an increasingly global and digital
world. The ISTE NETS for teachers are the standards for evaluating the skills and knowledge
educators need to teach, work and learn in an increasingly connected global and digital society.
The ISTE standards for both teachers and students have led to the implementation and
recommended use of many different technology tools such as wiki, podcast, blog, movie maker,
webquest among others. All of these tools if used correctly can produce excellent results on the
part of the teacher and students. Based on my understanding; these standards have been
implemented for teachers to assist with the effective tools to engage students.Throughout the
course, we both able to make use of tools that other person created and we were also able to
create tools for teaching that other persons will use.