Final Reflection

In this course, I came up with a GAME plan to integrate more technology in my classroom using NETS-T standards. Two that I chose to work on were design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments and model digital-age work and learning. The digital age learning experiences I concentrated on were using video projects in my classroom to help students learn and use the content area knowledge they were learning. Also during this class, we were asked to come up with lesson plans that used technology in several different ways. This helped me in my goals that it helped me to focus on adding technology to my classroom in various ways. I now see the benefit and the ease of adding technology to teach students and help them learn Spanish through problem-based learning that involves technology where they can discover things that will interest them and be applicable for them. The students were also enthusiastic about using the computer to practice their grammar and vocabulary which gave them a different way of learning other than the usual rote memory of verbal repetition. Playing games with the vocabulary on the website improved their retention and use. The video activity made them more enthusiastic for using their Spanish conversation skills and even made them more eager to try new areas and become more fluent.

On the other goal of modeling digital age work and learning, I was able to use technology through blogging, e-mail and a website to communicate with the students and the parents. The students were able to get on the website and get tutoring help for Spanish concepts they did not understand. The parents were able to track when assignments were due, check what standards we were working on, and check on rubrics for projects that are due. The students watched and participated with me as we learned together how to edit videos. As I made lesson plans with technology, I learned how students enjoy learning through technology and how simple technology is to add to a lesson. This has made me more eager to add this to my classroom in the future so that my students will become more fluent in Spanish. The NETS-T and the NETS-S standards are very important to the students future and I look forward to implementing them within my classroom.