Sam Sharpe Teachers College

In partial completion of a Bachelors Degree in Primary Education

Name: Ashani Lee

Course: Citizenship
Lecturer: Ms. Culyard
ID#: SS20156877
Date: March 17, 2016

Reflection On Educational Technology Course

As a young teacher in the classroom, my stance has always been to enhance

the teaching and learning process through the adequate use of Technology. It is
my belief that we live in a day and age where students are extremely motivated
whenever they get the opportunity to utilize technology, especially when it
comes on to school. I was knowledgeable of utilizing technology in the
classroom but this course has severely exposed me to understand that there is a
higher level of integrating technology in the classroom. It is upon completing
this course that I have reflected and decided that as great educators we need to
introduce web 2.0 tools to reach our pupils. Technology helps bridge the gap
between the teacher and student as through tools such as blogs, podcasts and
websites you can communicate with your pupils outside the contact hours.
The course Educational Technology as the name suggest involves using
technology in the classroom to enhance the teaching learning process. At first,
this course was viewed by many as a repetition of the course Technology in
Education one and two. However, as the course progressed new information
started to surface. It was amazing to see how simple things such as a cellular
phone could be used in your classroom to captivate students attention and
ultimately used to convey important information. At some points in this course I
felt frustrated as most of these technological devices were new to me. This was
when I realized that I was indeed an immigrant. My lecturer, Ms. Culyard , will

always be remembered as an individual with a sense of humour and creativity.

She afforded me the opportunity to manipulate many new devices and tools. We
were also exposed to different materials highlighting the importance of
integrating technology in the classroom. As I reflect on the course, I must say
that I have really learnt a lot.

I believe that technology integration continues to increase in the Jamaican

society. This is so after doing an essay on the article Our Brain Extended by
Marc Prensky which states that the new curriculum has many implications for
the wider society, even the Jamaicas system of education, where the use of
technology is a reality. It is important that teachers possess the skills and
behaviours of professionals in a digital age. They must become comfortable
being co-learners with their students and colleagues.
Applying technology at school has had a great impact on me as it has given
me more knowledge of technology gadgets such as using the internet to create
website/blogs, having discussions and gaining information through schoology,
podcasts, movie makers, interactive presentations and much more. This course
has taught me different techniques that I can use to plan effective lesson plans
for students. Using the knowledge of technology application, I can help my
students at work and my classmates at the college to analyse, learn, explore and
think critically and also to be creative, innovative in this digital age.

In this class it was challenging at times, but I have learned so many new ways
to incorporate technology into my classroom. I have learned how to engage
students more by using technology in different ways, such as telling story using
audacity to record my voice or using movie maker to show and tell the story. I
have also learned how to operate many tools that will become useful in helping
my teaching skills in the classroom. As I learnt how to use different
technological tools, I opted to try different things even though I wasnt sure how
it would work, but because of my determination and curiosity, I did it anyway
and it worked. I guess this says that I take risks in learning on my own at times.

As I willingly accepted the opportunity to explore educational technology, my

darkened state was lit as it was brought to my attention how technology savvy

the 21st century learners are. However, as the course progressed new
information surfaced. At some point in the course I felt frustrated, but I
continued to do what I had to do, knowing that it would only redound to my
success.

As I continue to reflect I realize that this course has helped me to understand

that the use of interactive educational activities can promote higher order
thinking skills, such as problem solving, critical thinking and creativity. I have
proven this to be true, based on the presentations and group teaching lessons
done in class. This course has helped me as I work with my colleagues and we
collaborate and make decisions while we use various activities using Microsoft
power point, publisher, and podcast/audio recording to create meaningful,
learning experience.

Without a doubt technology has become a vehicle for educational growth and I
am happy to be a part of this vision. This course has definitely helped me to
realize it and special thanks must go out to Ms, Culyard for facilitating this
opportunity for me to improve as an educator.