EDLD+5364+Course+Embedded+Reflection

I have greatly enjoyed the series of assignments in which I collaborated with four other students in a group, who are also teachers. I learned a lot from them, since I am not a classroom teacher, who creates lessons. There was online collaboration within the group (which is all that is possible due to distance) that was very effective, both synchronous (Google chat, while viewing and editing a live, shared Google document) and asynchronous (via e-mail throughout the week). We created an extensive group project page, which showed evidence of our online brainstorming and collaboration, as well as documented productivity in creating actual sample lessons using the creativity and online tools accessible to the group. The site can be found at: []   Though the textbook content was good and relevant, I did get the most out of this course due to its interactive elements, especially the group collaboration regarding the scenario-based project. I realize the fact that we are modelling project-based learning exactly the way we research shows it is best for students to do it. This is to prove to us as current or future technology leaders in our schools that these techniques are real and not merely theoretical. We were also introduced to a sample of free, accessible online tools such as the Universal Design for Learning at the CAST Lesson Builder http://lessonbuilder.cast.org to show how much can be done for free with only a computer with an internet connection. The power of everyday word processing software to create graphic organizers was outlined by Pitler in Ch. 9 (Pitler, 2007, p. 168) It has been eye-opening for me to see practical application and to practice myself the planning and implementation it takes to implement technology integration to implement the technology facilitator standards and also learning how to meet the state (technology TEKS)and national technology standards (NETS) to benefit our students as well as teachers.  Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). //Using technology with classroom instruction that works.// Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. // Texas administrative code (tac), title 19, part ii //. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter126/ //Iste nets and performance indicators for students (nets-s) //. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Student_2007_EN.sflb.ashx