Lessons Learned

Throughout the course, integrating technology into the curriculum I have learned how to use many web 2.0 tools effectively in my instruction. Most importantly, I have learned that in order to use technology effectively, I must be proactive and plan ahead, I must be knowledgeable about how to use the web 2.0 tools, I must be adaptive to meet the needs of my learners, I must be culturally sensitive to adapt the technology to meet the needs of my students, I must be collaborative to find new, innovative ways to integrate technology into the curriculum, I must be make decisions about what technology to use, I must be a leader to integrate technology more extensively and assist others, and most of all, I must be reflective in order to continuously improve my teaching strategies.

As I completed online discussions with my classmates and the required projects for the course, I met the course objectives of being a part of an online learning community, reviewing learning theories and technology standards to evaluate technology proficiency at my school, creating and evaluating lesson plans that incorporate technology, and developing an instructional unit that meets a defined need and incorporates technology. Meeting these objectives have helped me to gain a better understanding of how, when, and why I should technology in my own classroom. I am leaving this class with a deeper comprehension of how to effectively integrate technology into the curriculum. I have enjoyed blogging about my experiences, and I hope to continue sharing my ideas and reading the ideas of my peers to find new, innovative ways to use technology in my classroom. Technology is constantly changing and it is up to educators to commit to being lifelong learners of how to integrate technology into the curriculum in order to prepare the future (our children) with the 21 century skills and knowledge that they need to be successful members of society!