Week 8: Course Reflection EDUC-6714

What a whirlwind the past eight weeks have been! Time has really flown!

I have learned so much throughout this course—I am excited to jump back into teaching next fall and share some of these ideas with my colleagues and see how my students respond. I have a new found confidence and comfort with my skills in the area of differentiation. I always worried that I did not have the “know how” to follow through with differentiated lessons, but I realize now, that it is a strong skill that I naturally have applied to my lessons to begin with and my apprehension was unwarranted.

Through open discussion with my Walden peers and my colleagues, I have built quite a repertoire of lessons and resources to assist me in my endeavors next year and for years to come. I cannot thank my peers enough for all of their input during this course; they have inspired me to continue evolving as an educator. It is with these tools and resources in tote that I can implement lessons rich with technology and activities that will engage even the most hesitant of students. The goal has always been to teach to each individual student’s strengths and encourage growth in ALL students; reaching that goal has simply become more realistic and less overwhelming. Technology can make a classroom a haven that inspires and develops student minds and makes life “easier” for the teacher.

My classroom atmosphere in general will change next year—not only will computers and laptops be a regular appearance, but I will be taking more of a facilitator role in my room. I have always loved playing that role, but I still relied heavily on the teacher-centered role as well. I am more comfortable with giving up control and becoming the “guide on the side” as opposed to the “sage on the stage” attitude (Laureate Education Inc., 2009).

Resource:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Putting it all together. Reaching and engaging all learners through technology. Baltimore: Author.