Final reflection

During this course we learnt how to use many web tools, as well as, ideas of how to use them in the classroom, for instance using twitter and about 100 ways to implement it on classes (from Science, History, English, and foreign languages), web quest to design interesting and digital quest for students on all grade levels (from the examples we read, I liked the use of podcast for Harlem Renaissance and Poet Laureate because they both included many activities and research students had to do collaboratively, and wikis as a space for students to do their teamwork without have to leave their houses, which make it very convenient. Besides, students can all edit each other work and add new posts.

I expanded my knowledge on Google docs; I only knew of the document and presentation, but I learnt about the form and drawing. I also learnt how to do a podcast, which turned out to be quiet simple after all. I also learnt how to make and edit a movie (in movie maker) and pictures (in flickr, which also includes slideshow).

I will like to use the following technologies Wikis, Google docs, Podcast, Web Quest, and RSS feed in my classes because for both wikis and Google doc’s students will practice and improve their writing skill, while doing meaningful exercises (I am describing the objectives for English as a Second Language class). Podcast to either practice or assess their speaking skills, and web quest to engage them in activities that will help them develop the four skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking), while working cooperatively. Finally, I will use RSS to lead them into authentic materials.

I am not so sure about integrating twitter in my classes because I still have a little hard time understanding how it works, and I do not want to have students use something I am not familiar with since I will not be able to assist them properly.
I am not a very technological person, thus, I am not updated when it comes to new software or web tools, but I am aware that our students need to learn how to use technology, and that it could be adapt to any classroom, hence, I need to learn for future demands of my career. Nevertheless, I had fun using some of the technologies, for example creating a movie, and creating a podcast (although at the beginning I had no idea what to talk about).

I think my advice will be to read the articles I selected for my Google reader account because I include some web pages, which explain the new educational technologies in the market. Besides, I will need to read the tutorial to have a better understanding of the web tool potential.