Reflection

Coming into this class, I realized that a big job of a technology integrator is to be able to successfully collaborate with all colleagues whether they are teachers, administrators, or support staff.  I also knew that being a technology integrator involved planning to create changes in a school or district, I just didn’t realize how much.  Completing the task was eye opening to me in seeing how much planning comes into just one development plan.  Completing a plan for bringing new technology into a district takes lots of thought, making it work for administrators, teachers, and other staff.  In addition to all the planning, the plan needs to be implemented and adjusted problems, questions and situations arise.

I also realized the importance of collaborating with other people who are technologically savvy.  Through the module where we were paired with a classmate to help with the integration of technology in lessons, I learned a lot.  Not only did I take away ways to improve my lesson and ideas to use from her lesson, I saw first hand how coming together with someone who understands technology can better both of our work.  Two minds are better than one, and through collaborating this way, I can grow as a learner not only through getting help and ideas, but through helping others.

Before taking this class, I felt that technology integration is essential in 21st Century classrooms.  Students are living in a world where they’re accessing technology multiple times a day, every day.  School should be no different.  While I realize the importance of technology integration, many teachers do not.  Either they don’t want to integrate technology because it’s something new to them or they just don’t know the advantages of introducing technology to the classroom.  Through this class, I discovered ways to assess what staff knows regarding technology and what can be done from a technology integrator standpoint to show teachers what they can be doing in their room and why it can help.

While it’s important to help staff in the district grow in their technological knowledge, I also realized that I can always grow.  I like to think of myself as someone who is technologically savvy, and as a teacher who does a pretty good job integrating technology into my classroom as much as I can.  Through looking at my classmates blogs and discussions, as well as the tools suggested in the learning modules, I discovered tons of new tools that I can use in lessons, and teach my students how to use.  I’m leaving this class realizing that I need to put more effort into researching what new technology is out there and different web 2.0 tools I can be using in my lessons.