My Reflection on Education Technology

Reflection is part of learning and thinking. We reflect in order to learn something, or we learn as

a result of reflecting, and the term 'reflective learning' emphasises the intention to learn from
current or prior experience (Moon 2004). Reflection allows us to open ourselves to different
perspectives as well as helping us to identify our strengths and weaknesses and how to make
them better. Reflecting is also an empowerment tool that will help us to grow and look at things
critically through different lenses.
Considering John Deweys famous quote We dont learn from experience. We learn
from reflecting on experience, I have engaged in reflecting on my experiences in Educational
Technology class, both in theory and in practice. I believe that we are in the midst of a major
revolution in the technological field. Over the past four months, I have been introduced to a
plethora of technological aids, resources, and tools that I never suspected would exist.
Technology will be a great asset in my classroom, as a motivational aid and a teaching tool to
help students succeed. The realms of technology in the classroom have expanded far beyond
mere word processing and basic presentations with images. Technology is now a prime way to
motivate students.
The first day I went to Education Technology class I was as a blank slate. I was not
technologically inclined furthermore, I was just an immigrant. I felt hopeless and wanted to give
up. Days after days, classes after classes I started to feel much better. However, it was the first
time doing an online course Schoology. I thought the use of an online medium such as
Schoology was great; it was my first time experiencing a virtual learning tool in a classroom. I
liked the discussion forums we held in Schoology and the fact that we had access to information
and course work through that medium.

As the days and months go by I started to feel a sense of belonging in Education

Technology class. My lecturer, Mrs. N. Yearde made every effort to ensure we understood the
concepts that were being taught. She would allow us to do small group presentations in class
that catered to our multiple intelligences. This was good at all times because we grasp and learnt
the concepts more. The lecturer created a safe and psycho-social environment where we could
feel relax to voice our opinions and participated willingly in discussions. This was achieve
through her charismatic personality, she was able to build a relationship with the class this
facilitated the opening of a door for us to learn, making us receptive to what was said and to be
done; this gave us the confidence to contribute as well. Furthermore, in class we explore the
theories of Education Technology. These theories include constructivism, social constructivism,
behaviourism, transformative, activity theory, transactional distance theory, cognitive theory of
multimedia learning, social cognition, Piagetian theory, situated cognition, distributed cognition
and socially-shared cognition, transactional distance theory, transformative learning theory and
connectivism. Through these theories we were able to see a reflection in a real attempt at
bridging theory and practice to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of theory as it applies
to educational technology as a learning tool in the classroom. We were also engaged in practical
work such as creating our own Voki and the other web 2.0 tools. Indeed we have learnt how to
infuse high Tec technology in teaching instead of using the low Tec technology such as
chalkboard and television. We are in the twenty-first century and we must cater to these students
as well to be educated on technology. Thus, with the course Educational Technology I am now
better able to plan for my students using appropriate technologies to match my students needs
which will enhance the teaching and learning experience in the classroom.

As I reflect on the course I remember I started off as a digital immigrant but now I am
proud to say the Education Technology course has done a lot for me. I am now almost a proud
digital native. I have grown, accomplished and achieved many skills through the technology
Education course. I am now able to create my own Voki which I can use as in as introductory
activity when teaching a lesson. I can also make my own video by using windows movie maker.
As a Religious Education teacher, if my students cannot go on certain fieldtrips I can use the
internet and get pictures and create my own digital story where my students can go on a virtual
tour. I am now able to create my own website and webquest where I can set work online for my
students and also have online classes. Isnt this great? Life is now easier for me as teacher. I can
now use technology to do any task especially when teaching Religious Education.
The ISTE NETS standards for teacher were designed for teachers to engage students and
improve learning. The five standards are to facilitate and Inspire Student Learning, to design and
Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments and Creativity, to Model Digital
Age Work and Learning, to promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility and to
engage in Professional Growth and Leadership. The following ISTE NETS are standards and
performance indicators that are to be met by all teachers. The standards that ISTE NETS outline
in my opinion were met in Education Technology by my lecturer. She demonstrated proper use
of technologies by modeling the different technological tools such as PowerPoint and the web
2.0 tools. We the students were also engaged by researching information and presenting it in
creative ways using the different tools. Furthermore, our technological learning environment was
rich because every student had access to a computer and the lessons were developed for us
students to be active participants.
The virtual learning tool Schoology demanded us to manage our own learning by

logging on to retrieve information and post comments on the class. Through that tool, both
lecturer and the students were evaluating and assessing the learning process. The lecturer
demonstrated fluency and knowledge of her content and it was clearly handed down to the
students. We collaborated as students to get some of our assignment done with the assistance
from our lecturer. The promotion and modeling of digital etiquette and responsible social
interactions related to the use of technology was evident throughout the class exercises.
The lecturer exhibited leadership by demonstrating the infusion of technology while we
participated in shared decision making. The ISTE NETS standards were evident in the way the
lecturer planned and executed her lesson. I am motivated to impact my students with the use of
technology in the classroom and to also use the ISTE NETS standards with the way I plan for my
students. The Education Technology course overall was great. I will implore my lecturer to
continue to be an effective lecturer.