End of Class Reflection

End of Semester Reflection

Production has taught me many new interesting concepts to implement into my classroom. Learning how to create a Podcast and a Wiki was extremely useful and interesting. The students’ positive feedback and improved grades reflect how important it is to have technology in the classroom. Wikis and Podcasts are wonderful technological tools that helped instruct the lesson and transmit the objective to the students. Wikis can be used for any subject. After creating a Wiki in a small group for my graduate course, I decided to try it in my own classes. The students were told to create their own Wiki with information from different scenes from “The Crucible.” The students were separated into groups of three and followed an outline. When we were done, the students loved the idea of working on the Internet and creating a document that other students can use. Next, I want to create a Blog where students can post all their homework and projects. I especially like the point that the book, Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts…for Classrooms, written by Will Richardson, made about assignments not being lost or handed in late when teachers use Blogs because students have to post assignments on the blog. This helps foster students’ responsibility for completing assignments on time.
Another topic we learned was how to use Visual Vocabulary. It is already known that virtually anything taught visually will benefit learners. Teaching Special Education has taught me that any modification will help students. When a teacher is teaching new vocabulary terms, images and video clips greatly assist with instructing and explaining the meaning of words.