The end is in sight!

I cannot believe how fast the end of the semester has come. Is it really December?! This semester has been filled with methods, models, strategies, theorists, web-questing, direct instruction, information processing, social interaction, group projects, and TECHNOLOGY, TECHNOLOGY, TECHNOLOGY! Thinking back to my first class with Dr. S over the summer (literacy and technology) to now, I cannot believe I am actually comfortably using much of the technology that I have learned. Dr. S is truly an inspiration when it comes to trying new things. All that I have learned have definitely opened my eyes to planning more effective, engaging, and motivating lessons for my students.

I was happy to actually TEACH the lessons that I have made in methods this semester. I am fortunate enough to work as a permanent substitute teacher in an elementary school where I have free reign to teach students the lessons I am working on. This semester I concentrated on 4th grade science in particular. My students were AMAZED at the web-quest I used. Never, have the students, nor the teacher, used such a tool in the classroom during a lesson. I really think I am able now to teach other teachers in the building how to incorporate all my new, and effective skills. I feel I now have a strong grasp on the differences, and the importances of using the different models to create meaningful lessons for my students. There are so many ways to teach!!!!! I truly feel like I have mastered these three types in particular, and feel confident I can use them in the future with no problem.

This course was definitely a ton of work, but without hard work, you cannot truly succeed. I am so proud of my accomplishments, my learning, my mistakes, my interactions with my classmates, and most of all everything I learned from Dr.S.

Thank you Dr. S for everything you have done for me, and our class this semester! I look forward to keeping in touch with you in the future, and of course as my personal technology reference!!!!