Course Reflection

Looking back at my week one “Personal Theory of Learning”, I see that the two large ideas that I was trying to expand was to have my students expand their problem solving skills and to allow a hands on learning environment.  One modification I would like to add would be to also create a student centered learning environment.  With this course I was able to learn the difference between an instructional tool and a learning tool.  With my desire to create a student centered learning environment I need to make sure that how I am introducing new technology is in a way that it is a learning tool and not as an instructional tool.  In other words I have to remember to have my students use the technology.  Then and only then will it be a learning tool.   

            With this idea I will always make sure to have my students use the technology as much as possible.  I will be getting a whiteboard or smart board next semester and will be introducing it in all of my presentations of new art projects.  So I must remember to allow my students to use the whiteboard so that I am using it as a learning tool and not as an instructional tool.  If I can get my students using the tools there will be a much higher level of students engagement going on in the classroom.  I also look forward to be able to my overhead projector and elmo to introduce new projects to my classes in a way I would not have to have my back to them like I would normally when working on the board.  This would help with my classroom management during the year.  Once again knowing how to now make my classroom a student centered learning environment is a tribute to this class.

            I just want to restate the want to allow my students to use as much of the technology in my classroom as possible.  So I do not make the mistake to only teach with instructional tools instead of teaching with learning tools.  It is so easy to fall back and just lecture to the class as to how to create the art project and give them time to work.  I want my students to learn how to incorporate the technology into their art work.