Final Reflection KWL

KWL

I started this class knowing a little bit about a lot of the topics that were on our list.  I had a Diigo account, followed a blog, used blogging with my students, used Skype, and had used some Web 2.0tools with my students.  We had also just become a Google school so I had a bit of information about some Google tools.

What I wanted to know was how to translate the use of technology into my second grade class.  Many of the ideas, projects, and videos I had seen before were aimed at using technology with older students.  I also wanted to become more fluent with using Google tools. 

There were some tools we talked about specifically in class that I got better at using such as Diigo.  I really hadn’t been using it since making my account but I began adding things throughout this class.  Two weeks ago when our media specialist came to me and said, “Safety Day is next week.  What do you think I should do for internet safety at my station?”  I was able to quickly show her all of the resources I had on the topic through my Diigo account.  I think I’m starting to get the picture.

I was able to use some of the Web 2.0 tools with my second graders.  They loved putting their continents information into an Animoto video.  They practiced reading fluently for days in order make the Podcast.  They wanted it to sound just right, and knowing they would be creating a VoiceThread helped them stay really focused during our field trip to Squam Lake.

I still don’t know everything I need to know about the Google tools our school will be using but that brings me to the biggest thing I learned in this class.  My own learning can be 24/7.  I do not have to wait for the district to schedule a workshop day on Google tools.  There are videos, webinars, and blogs on everything imaginable and it is my responsibility to be self motivated and find out what I need to know.  Adding a reader to my iGoogle page is a constant reminder to keep up on my learning even if it’s just for a few minutes each day.