Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Week 10 Last Round!



These past 10 weeks, many things have been learned in this Webskill class, and various topics related to teaching and learning have been discussed. For the first time, I heard about Nicenet-- the online class-- during week 0. Writing my very first blog (or web log) using Blogger marked my first week in this course. Then, week 2 came with interesting stuff that included: Websearch using Noodle Tools, writing objectives using the ABCD model, and most importantly starting the work on a final project/ plan. The scaffolding of the latter was reinforced, during week 3 with our knowledge of former Webskill course participants' work. The third week also allowed me to discover the use of an online bookmarker, called Delicious.  One of my heaviest weekly tasks was that of week 4, in which a detailed lesson plan using technology-- Technology- Enhanced Lesson Plan-- was required in addition to explanations of problems related to a plan- targeted class. Even though week 5 was not that easy, it was rewarding with its Webquest and Rubistar content because these two things were the pillars supporting my final action plan. As for week 6, it was very busy with an Interactive Power Point lesson. My favorite was week 7 as it was very practical and easy to post something on the class Padlet from WallWisher. Week 8's tools for educators were, are, and will be useful as long as I keep this teaching career; therefore, that week-- going along with the final plan implementation-- would be called "the mature learning week" for a teacher. I appreciate what my coursemate, Samarat, did to me during week 9, when my final plan was given rational feedback on. That penultimate week was fantastic in that I could know what type of learner I was with the topic of Mutiple Intelligences and Learning Styles (very important to comprehend for teachers!).
This last and final week focuses on Technology Integration into Teaching and on giving advice to future participants in this Webskill class; yet, what I liked the most among its readings was Implementing the Seven Principles: Technology as Lever, by Arthur W. Chickering and Stephen C. Ehrmann, that you can find at  http://polaris.umuc.edu/~cschwebe/gsmt800/7principles.htm . This article highlights how important it is to give value more to how students learn than to how teachers instruct; and that would be perfect if technology were integrated.

 This tenth week has made me realize that there are many efforts to make if I want to continue using technology in teaching. The reason for that is I barely meet any categories in the Technology Integration Matrix and Indicators. Nevertheless, I do not lose faith in using technology for teaching since this Webskill class has given me lots of ideas on how teaching can be enhanced in a more innovative way for the benefit of students.
To finish with, I want to thank you all for having supported me, in your own way, during these ten weeks of Webskill training.
Let us keep in touch!

5 comments:

  1. Dear Manda,

    I was so delighted to find your post on my blog and I was more than happy to read your post on the last week. I have a feeling after having read it as if I have had the best revision of the course! :)

    I would also agree with you that one of the most difficult tasks for me too was to create a Technology Enhanced Lesson Plan. It has just confirmed once again how important it is to take into consideration every tiny detail so the lesson would be fruitful and not only students would understand your aims but also the teacher who might need to use the same plan in case you cannot conduct the class. Also, I do agree with you that Week 5 was pretty tough as it was really time and effort consuming when we came to the creation of the WebQuest. However, you are absolutely right when saying that this partiuclar task has given us a lot and has been a cornerstone to some of us, especially the ones who have used WebQuest as the base for their technology related projects/plans.

    Manda, I am sure you are and will be a great teacher and this course has just opened more opportunities for you to grow as a teacher and to be a contemporary teacher who does not lag behind his students! :) Thank you for you posts, ideas, experience and comments! I do hope we will all keep in touch in the future!

    Best wishes,

    Jurga.

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    1. Thanks a lot Jurga. I wish all the same good things for you.

      Manda

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  2. Hello Manda,

    This is great to read here with detailed description. I know you are fist one who submitted the project on time and inspired me to works hard to complete my project soon after. I would take this opportunity to thank you for the contribution you have made me to learn so many thing from you.

    Lets be in touch.

    Regards
    Kamlesh

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  3. Hi Manda,
    Thank you for refreshing all the steps we've gone through the course. I do agree with you that some tasks were quite difficult, anyway we were able to accomplish all of them. The more difficult the task was, the more interesting was to work on it!
    I would like to thank you for being a great partner once again!
    I wish you good luck!
    Best,

    Samarat

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  4. Hi Manda,

    Thanks for the enriching exchange during the "Developing Webskills for teachers Winter 2014".
    "May the road you thread, be a road that's paved with adventure and fun"

    Kind regards from Brazil,
    Juliana

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