Class Reflection

In looking back on this class, I  was exposed to many new technologies, and I learned much about myself as a user of technology. I did not expect that I would have such difficulty learning through trial-and-error, and that I would instead learn through online  video tutorials. I had assumed that I would learn tools through "playing" and experimenting with them, because I think of myself as an experiential learner. However, I realized that when it comes to learning technology, perhaps because of my own anxieties surrounding technology, I learn best through something approximating "direct instruction," where I would search Youtube for tutorial videos and then ask friends and classmates to help walk me through the technology. This was an interesting lesson for me, as my students who have autism often learn best through direct instruction and not through "trial and error." I felt that I gained insight into their learning style through this.

I am very excited about several of these technologies, and am already starting to apply them in my own classroom. For example, I thought Boardmaker was only to make PECS, but I know use the templates to make all sorts of games, visual aids, and schedules. I also had only used my SmartBoard like a dry erase board, but now use all sorts of interactive lessons that I design at home, and they gain my students rapt attention. I also use Prezi instead of Powerpoint with my students, and the novelty still hasn't worn off-they are glued to the Prezi's! I love using Kurzweil to record my voice for my students, because they really attend to directions delivered through the computer in a way that they might not attend to my actual voice! Its exciting to have new tools to engage my students, because motivation is so often one of the biggest issues when teaching students with intellectual disabilities.

I think I benefited a lot from the discussions about when to use technology, and when not to use it. I also had never thought about how some students have a right to technology, because it enables them to access information, and thus technology is their gateway to their "right to learn." I now think of access to technology as a student right. This was certainly something I did not expect.

Another thing I did not expect was that I now understand that technology can be used for a much broader spectrum of students than I previously understood. I did not previously think that certain technologies would be appropriate for students as "low functioning" as my population, and this opened my eyes to how technologies not designed for populations with special needs can be adapted to meet their needs and support their learning.

I think that I probably took a more back-seat role in this class than I typically do,because I was feeling very shy about what I perceived as my relative lack of competence with the technology. I still feel a little insecure in my abilities with these technologies, but have enjoyed practicing them and teaching them to myself at home. I think that I am slowly gaining confidence, and if this were a year long course, I think that I would become increasingly confident.

I never thought I would actively seek out new technologies for my classroom, because I think of myself as something of a Luddite, or at least someone who is inept with new technologies. I now am searching for new technologies to maintain the attention and motivation of my students, and I think that I am a much better teacher because of it. I think my students certainly enjoy learning with me more now that I am incorporating all of these new technologies into my class.