6.2 Reflection
Candidates regularly evaluate and reflect on their professional practice and dispositions to improve and strengthen their ability to effectively model and facilitate technology-enhanced learning experiences. (PSC 6.2/ISTE 6c)
Artifact:
Weebly Blog
Reflect:
During the period of my master’s degree in Instructional Technology at Kennesaw State University I completed a blog over the last two years on all the classes that I have taken throughout the program. In this blog I shared my thoughts, new learnings and experiences which clearly demonstrates the importance of reflection during this program.
Before I was accepted into the program, I was not a blogger and never even considered what it would be like to blog on a regular basis. However, after completing my first few blogs, I realized it wasn’t bad at all. I knew that I would be happy to look back and see just how much I grew once I made it to the end of my journey. I utilized the blog that was embedded in my Weebly site to evaluate and reflect on what I learned from each of the classes I took. I reflected on the classes, the work that I completed each semester, and how each one supported me in becoming a productive and effective technology facilitator. I regularly evaluated and reflected on my learning, knowledge, skills and dispositions to transform the way I viewed technology working in a 21st century classroom. My blog allowed me to reflect on my professional practice and disposition as a teacher and technology leader.
One course that was particularly challenging for me was my Data Analysis & School Improvement class. The words “data analysis” heavily intimidate me from the start and once I learned that I had to collect data about my school, district, and state scores, along with the academic strengths and challenges, I became even more nervous. I had to buckle down, step out of my comfort zone, and become familiar with our school data which was very interesting information and opened up my mind to seeing how in-depth data really is. I learned several important skills such as data gathering and making sure it was from a credible source, being able to look at the data and identify strengths and weaknesses so I could help the school data team make an informed decision and then create an action plan that would describe how to improve those weaknesses. As I reflected on this experience, I made note of the skills I still needed to work on and how this assignment had an impact on my professional practice going forward. While I was successful in completing Data Analysis course, I know that there is always room for growth and improvement.
I learned that blogging is an excellent way of reflecting on instructional skills gained throughout the ITEC program. I truly feel as though this artifact was important because it allowed me to self-reflect on my professional growth. Through these reflections, I was able to determine assignments and field experiences that were most beneficial to my teaching and share ideas with my colleagues as I gained more and more knowledge during the process. Additionally, I learned the importance of valuing constructive criticism and be flexible to change. To improve the quality of this artifact, I would be more intentional about blogging during the middle of each course opposed to waiting at the very end. That way I could have more to reflect on and consider for future references if I ever need to go back and refresh on past experiences.
This artifact impacts faculty development simply by me being able to share my instructional knowledge and how effective technology enhances instruction and student learning with staff members at my school. The impact of this artifact can be assessed through observation of technology integration at my school as a result of the knowledge and skills I will bring. I will continue to model and collaborate with teachers who are interested in improving technology integration within their students’ learning environment.
Reflect:
During the period of my master’s degree in Instructional Technology at Kennesaw State University I completed a blog over the last two years on all the classes that I have taken throughout the program. In this blog I shared my thoughts, new learnings and experiences which clearly demonstrates the importance of reflection during this program.
Before I was accepted into the program, I was not a blogger and never even considered what it would be like to blog on a regular basis. However, after completing my first few blogs, I realized it wasn’t bad at all. I knew that I would be happy to look back and see just how much I grew once I made it to the end of my journey. I utilized the blog that was embedded in my Weebly site to evaluate and reflect on what I learned from each of the classes I took. I reflected on the classes, the work that I completed each semester, and how each one supported me in becoming a productive and effective technology facilitator. I regularly evaluated and reflected on my learning, knowledge, skills and dispositions to transform the way I viewed technology working in a 21st century classroom. My blog allowed me to reflect on my professional practice and disposition as a teacher and technology leader.
One course that was particularly challenging for me was my Data Analysis & School Improvement class. The words “data analysis” heavily intimidate me from the start and once I learned that I had to collect data about my school, district, and state scores, along with the academic strengths and challenges, I became even more nervous. I had to buckle down, step out of my comfort zone, and become familiar with our school data which was very interesting information and opened up my mind to seeing how in-depth data really is. I learned several important skills such as data gathering and making sure it was from a credible source, being able to look at the data and identify strengths and weaknesses so I could help the school data team make an informed decision and then create an action plan that would describe how to improve those weaknesses. As I reflected on this experience, I made note of the skills I still needed to work on and how this assignment had an impact on my professional practice going forward. While I was successful in completing Data Analysis course, I know that there is always room for growth and improvement.
I learned that blogging is an excellent way of reflecting on instructional skills gained throughout the ITEC program. I truly feel as though this artifact was important because it allowed me to self-reflect on my professional growth. Through these reflections, I was able to determine assignments and field experiences that were most beneficial to my teaching and share ideas with my colleagues as I gained more and more knowledge during the process. Additionally, I learned the importance of valuing constructive criticism and be flexible to change. To improve the quality of this artifact, I would be more intentional about blogging during the middle of each course opposed to waiting at the very end. That way I could have more to reflect on and consider for future references if I ever need to go back and refresh on past experiences.
This artifact impacts faculty development simply by me being able to share my instructional knowledge and how effective technology enhances instruction and student learning with staff members at my school. The impact of this artifact can be assessed through observation of technology integration at my school as a result of the knowledge and skills I will bring. I will continue to model and collaborate with teachers who are interested in improving technology integration within their students’ learning environment.