Final Summary Reflection

 


    
    Throughout this course, I gained a wealth of new skills and discovered a variety of innovative resources that have broadened my understanding of technology in the classroom. Each module offered valuable insights and practical applications to my current work. As I reflect on the journey through this class, I'm excited to share key concepts that stood out, highlight some of my favorite challenges, and consider how I'll carry these lessons forward in my teaching. 

    Two important concepts that really stood out to me are the accessibility of technology and the use of videos and screencasting to support families in understanding what their children are learning. Adding closed captions to my YouTube video was more challenging than I expected, and it gave me a new appreciation for the time and effort it takes to make content accessible to all. I also have students who rely on assistive technology, and this course has inspired me to learn more about these tools so I can better support their learning needs. Moving forward, I want to continue developing my video and screencasting skills to create helpful resources for families, especially to explain the phonics rules and strategies we're using in class.

    Next, I want to highlight two assignments that I both enjoyed and learned a great deal from. First, the introduction to the ISTE Standards really opened my eyes to the possibilities of what I could be teaching my first graders. I now feel a deeper sense of responsibility to build a strong foundation in digital literacy and citizenship from an early age. I also loved the ISTE lesson plan assignment, it brought me so much joy to design a lesson that integrated technology and to imagine what's possible in a future-ready classroom. Creating the accompanying presentation in Canva was a challenge, but it pushed me to grow, and I'm genuinely proud of the final product I created. 

    One of my biggest takeaways from this course is that technology use is a way to prepare students for the digital world they are growing up in. I want to help my first graders build the confidence and skills they'll need to navigate technology responsibly. At the same time, I've realized how valuable technology is to bridge the gap between school and home by creating resources that support families. Moving forward I'm excited to continue this work, both in my classroom and in the way I communicate and collaborate with my students' caregivers.

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