Final Reflection
Jennifer Kizer
EDU 697 Learning Experiences
This Capstone class has allowed me to reflect on the past year and a half. It is important as educators to be lifelong learners. This means being able to modify lessons and activities based on things learned. I have enjoyed this class as I have looked back on all of my prior coursework and finally understood how it all fits together. Integrating technology into the classroom has been such an important part of my teaching philosophy, and I now feel I have gained a new knowledge of how to implement it in my own classroom.
Final Project Challenges and Suggestions
I decided to do my final project as a blog. I have to admit that sometimes I get a little frustrated with Blogger, but I want to continue to become more familiar with it. One of the challenges for me was to figure out how to put in pages on the blog. This took some time, but I was excited when I finally figured it out!
At the beginning of this course, I was not really sure how to redesign the projects I had already done. It was also a challenge for me to determine which project or activity would fit with which program outcome. However, I really appreciated having examples. This helped me greatly. It was good for me to look back at all my work and apply what I had learned.
My suggestion for the Final Project would be to encourage more projects throughout the program. I felt that I wrote more papers than activities or projects. It might be nice to have more actual activities to choose from.
At the beginning of this course, I was not really sure how to redesign the projects I had already done. It was also a challenge for me to determine which project or activity would fit with which program outcome. However, I really appreciated having examples. This helped me greatly. It was good for me to look back at all my work and apply what I had learned.
My suggestion for the Final Project would be to encourage more projects throughout the program. I felt that I wrote more papers than activities or projects. It might be nice to have more actual activities to choose from.
MATLT Program
This was the first time I had ever taken an online course. I was very nervous when I started, and it took me some time to adjust. I will admit that I still feel I learn better in a classroom face to face, but I do appreciate the flexibility this program offered. I also liked the discussion forums and really learned a lot from my peers. I found a lot of websites, learning tools, and ideas from classmates.
I feel that I am leaving this program with a better understanding of the role technology needs to play in education today. I look back to the beginning of the program when I had to review all the different learning theories. This was a good review for me, and it gave me a better understanding of how technology fits into the picture. I will use what I have learned to improve my classroom and my fellow teachers' classrooms.
I feel that I am leaving this program with a better understanding of the role technology needs to play in education today. I look back to the beginning of the program when I had to review all the different learning theories. This was a good review for me, and it gave me a better understanding of how technology fits into the picture. I will use what I have learned to improve my classroom and my fellow teachers' classrooms.
Final Piece of the Puzzle
It is amazing to to me that this journey is now coming to an end. It started almost 18 months ago when my principal encouraged me to apply for a scholarship for the MATLT program. I was hesitant, but I am glad I took her advice and decided to pursue the work. I have learned so much and am excited to use the things I have learned in my classroom.
Of course, this journey would not have been completed without the help of many people. Thank you to my family for being so understanding when mom had to do homework. My husband, Warren, and my two girls Madison and Emma have been very patient with me this past year. Thank you to my principal, Sharon Roling for encouraging me and helping me in any way she could. Thanks to my fellow teachers at St. Joseph Catholic School who were so understanding this past school year. They were always motivating me and giving me kind words. Special thanks to Tami Claus. It was so nice to have someone to talk to throughout this experience. I appreciate all the encouragement and advice. We made it!
Of course, this journey would not have been completed without the help of many people. Thank you to my family for being so understanding when mom had to do homework. My husband, Warren, and my two girls Madison and Emma have been very patient with me this past year. Thank you to my principal, Sharon Roling for encouraging me and helping me in any way she could. Thanks to my fellow teachers at St. Joseph Catholic School who were so understanding this past school year. They were always motivating me and giving me kind words. Special thanks to Tami Claus. It was so nice to have someone to talk to throughout this experience. I appreciate all the encouragement and advice. We made it!