Technology Reflection

Technology Reflection
Technology in the Classroom:
I envision my classroom to be extremely technology oriented; I envision both myself and
my students to be equally engaged with technology. While technology will not be replacing my
instruction, it will enhance it. By assigning students to engage in project-based learning using
technology, students will be using Bloom’s Higher Order Thinking Skills and reaching higher
levels of Technology Integration. While I am familiar and comfortable using just about any
technology tool in my classroom, one of my favorites is Nearpod. Nearpod has endless
possibilities that enhance my instruction in the classroom. With some features being virtual field
trips, interactive drawing, and instant assessments, Nearpod engages students in learning content
to a deeper and more interactive way. Like Nearpod, there are many other technology tools that
enhance instruction as well (please see the other pages on my portfolio for reference.) To avoid
running into issues with technology devices, I will use strategies like technology contracts,
teaching a lesson on Digital Citizenship, and including technology topics within my classroom
rules and procedures.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the Classroom:
I have several ideas to promote the three principles of Universal Design for Learning
(UDL), engagement, representation, and action and expression, to support the needs of all
learners in my classroom. Technology has endless possibilities to differentiate the content,
process, and products for students. Technology has the possibility of being as simple or complex
as intended by the user. A simple way to promote UDL in the classroom is by simply providing
an audio tape while students follow along to their printed copy of the text. Another simple option
is providing students with Closed Caption while they are watching a video. While these are
simple yet effective methods to promote UDL in the classroom, technology also allows for more
complex methods. A more complex method could include students coding a robot to move.
While this could have just been done virtually using a technology tool on the internet, engaging
students in a hands-on activity supports UDL.
Technology Troubleshooting Tips
1) If your display on your computer or device is frozen, reboot it. In most cases, rebooting
the device will always fix the error since it allows it to reset itself.
2) Be proactive by saving your work frequently. While technology is designed to work
100% of the time, unfortunately, it does not always. Like humans, technology can have
bad days too, so it is crucial to save your work frequently. If the technology crashes, do
not worry because your work will not be gone since you saved it!
3) If you land on an inappropriate website, please be responsible by exiting out of the site
immediately. Please remember that you signed an internet safety contract before being
allowed to access the internet.
4) Never provide any website or online resource with personal or identifying information.
This is for your own privacy and safety.
5) Always talk to your parents or teachers if something online makes you uncomfortable.
Online/Blended Activities and Student Learning
Administrators, teachers, and parents may have valid concerns about using online
projects, online collaboration sites, and/or online student publishing opportunities in the
classroom. Such concerns can include a range from student safety and privacy to appropriate
online behavior. While these are all valid issues and concerns, a detailed lesson on Digital
Citizenship and a technology contract for both students and their parents or guardians to fill out
with address all mentioned concerns. With this in mind, I plan to implement Online/Blended
learning activities in my classroom. I believe students will be successful by receiving instruction
and being able to practice the content on their own as well using technology that will provide
support at home. Online/Blended learning activities will be implemented through flipped
classroom lessons that can be accessed on my blog.
Social Media as a Professional Learning Network (PLN)
I envision using Social Media as a Professional Learning Network (PLN) within my
teaching career. I will use my professional Twitter account to share resources with my students
regarding subjects that involve English Language Arts, Reading, and other Educational related
topics. I will also use a PLN like Edmodo to keep students in my classes up to date on the latest
content, assignments, and will even use it as a form for assessments. There are several critical
steps for teachers to implement when using Social Media as a PLN. The first and arguably most
important step is to ensure that any information or messaging features on the PLN you are using
is public. Another step is to ensure that only appropriate content is being shared and/or
published. A PLN will publicly follow you for the rest of your career; thus, ensuring everything
is held to correct expectation and standards is vital.
Coding and Computation Thinking
Coding and Computation Thinking allows students to solve puzzle-like problems to
compute a product. One would think that Coding can only be implemented in a STEM
classroom; however, this is false. Coding can be used in any content area for different types of
assignments, products, and project-based learning opportunities. Coding also allows different
content areas to work together and complement each other to compute the end-result-product.
For example, my lesson idea on my Coding page (see Coding page) requires students to code a
picture of a Plot Diagram on Scratch. To code such a product, a student must calculate the angles
and distance (using their math skills) the Diagram requires in order to create the product
successfully. Thus, this product requires the student to use their Math, English Language Arts,
Reading, and Technology skills.

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Technology Reflection

Technology in the Classroom:

I envision my classroom to be extremely technology oriented; I envision both myself and

technology tool in my classroom, one of my favorites is Nearpod. Nearpod has endless

rules and procedures.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the Classroom:

learners in my classroom. Technology has endless possibilities to differentiate the content,

students in a hands-on activity supports UDL.

Technology Troubleshooting Tips

2) Be proactive by saving your work frequently. While technology is designed to work

allowed to access the internet.

This is for your own privacy and safety.

Online/Blended Activities and Student Learning

learning activities in my classroom. I believe students will be successful by receiving instruction

support at home. Online/Blended learning activities will be implemented through flipped

classroom lessons that can be accessed on my blog.

Social Media as a Professional Learning Network (PLN)

I envision using Social Media as a Professional Learning Network (PLN) within my

is held to correct expectation and standards is vital.

Coding and Computation Thinking

Coding and Computation Thinking allows students to solve puzzle-like problems to

Reading, and Technology skills.

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