Final Blog for L&T: "Parting is such sweet sorrow"

I can’t believe this course (Literacy & Technology) is over already! Upon reflection of this course I find that I have become much more technologically savvy. Here are my final thoughts on what I have learned and what skills I now possess in my quest to become a digital native:

In this class I have practiced and refined the following skills:
* wiki entries
- I better understand their purpose too
* blogging
- very comfortable posting and commenting on these
- am now able to add links, videos and pictures
* powerpoints
- can now add video links, hyperlinks, do animations and add sound and

pictures


I must admit that I still need to work on the following skills:
* refining the art of creating videos with corresponding soundtrack
* podcasting still seems to be beyond my capabilities
* I still have difficulty maneuvering social networking sites
* I have yet to create a voiki (I find them a bit freaky)

I have learned so many new technologies in this class and I know I have only just begun to scratch the surface of what is available out there. I have gained confidence in my ability to investigate web 2.0 tools and am no longer impatient with my progress. I have learned that it takes me longer than others to investigate and master these new skills but it I persevere than I am successful. I have also learned that I cannot learn everything the first time I try it. I must spend some quality time investigating and maneuvering through each tool before I am comfortable with it.

I am definitely no longer a digital immigrant. I am a far cry from considering myself a digital native but I have come a long way. I now not only understand the importance of using technology in the classroom with my students but I understand why I should use them. In order to help my students achieve the highest level of learning they are capable of I must exploit what they know and understand already. Technology is an integral part of their lives and can help motivate student learning.

For the past two years my science colleagues and I have been asking for professional development to help us utilize the smartboard technology we have more efficiently. I now can show the administration why it is crucial for us to tap into the technology we already have and add new ones as well. I hope to be the spark that leads us all closer to having web 2.0 classrooms.

Literacy & Technology has been a wonderful experience for me and I know it will help me to keep learning more so that I can help maximize the potential of my student’s learning experience. The key to success in today’s world is to be a life-long learner.