Reflection # 4

• What are some specific challenges that you foresee in implementing the initiative you developed? How do you plan to overcome them?
The main stumbling blocks that I see have to do with internet safety. The legal issues that we discussed at the last session are the areas that I need to think about for implementing my initiative. I should be able to find out all of the different areas that I need to address before I am able to get the e-learning class up and running.
• Thinking about all we covered in this course, in addition to implementing your initiative, how will you continue to develop 21st century literacy skills in the students that you serve.
Oh boy, as you have witnessed getting my students to use tools (as well as learning what tools are out there for them to use) is my passion. I have been doing all that I can to get them ready to find more for themselves. I keep finding tools that they can use, like for free, and they are all over them. I have turned them on to the directory for web 2.0 tools and some of them have come to tell me about what they have found that they feel I might like or be able to use. I have some short term goals that include teaching technology classes. In preparing myself for this I have become “friendly” with some of the staff in the IT academy. I am not planning on trying to teach it classes next year but maybe a summer school class. Long term I have an interest in teaching all IT classes.
• What other thoughts and ideas do you have for developing future e-learning initiatives in your teaching and learning environment?
Next year the 12th grade curriculum is going to include using blogs. I am planning of presenting some staff development sessions on using the blogs and how many of these web 2.0 tools are vital to classroom use.

Reflection #3

To what extent did the team facilitation activities you and your team developed promote engagement?
The team seemed to really engage in the activity that we created for them. The outcome was up to par and there was no real trouble for the team in getting the job done. They gave feedback to the student that they were assigned and they collaborated with each other as well. The conversation was deliberately not centered on educational discussion and the team managed very well. There was no problem addressing the topic, Feedback, in relation to the posts that were being analyzed by each "teacher" who provided feedback. The high order thinking that was present came through in the thoughtful responses that the team members gave to each student and also in the use of the rubric. They explained their scoring in the feedback as well.

To what extent did the activities developed by the other team promote engagement and higher order thinking? Were their directions clear? Was there anything that you thought could have been improved?
The Podcasting Team Activity was a lot of fun. Becca and Ben and me were able to peer evaluate each other easily having worked together throughout the semester, being familiar -enough- with each other and our skills. I thought it was a great activity. I don't think that there is any thing that could have been improved upon.

Which of the two activities developed by the other team was the most relevant and meaningful to you, and why?

Both activities are relevant to daily use in my educational arena. I need just as much technology to add into my classroom practices as I need help with providing feedback. They were different enough so that I feel they are both useful and equally important.