Final Reflection: "I'd Hate to Leave the Party"

When I was a young student, I did not get the opportunity to learn using the internet.  On lucky days, I went to the computer lab where I practiced typing and played literacy games such as "Kiki's Adventures" or "Oregon Trail."  Most of my learning was through printed text and audio-visual media.  Students nowadays, have an opportunity to learn through digital media sources, or web-based learning.  Since the internet has a lot of influence over the young generations, the internet is an engaging and effective tool to use in the classroom.  In the near future, I hope to implement these strategies I learned in the course by developing professional growth plans that includes the use of internet sources.  In addition, I will encourage other teachers to use these tools and strategies as well by holding training and workshops that promote online literacy.  I strongly believe that the use of the internet will be effective in teaching essential content and technology skills students will need in their future.  I also think that it will encourage them to become critical thinkers, communicators, problem solvers, and inquires—all skills needed to become a life-long learner.

I am glad to have the opportunity to build my technologically-based literacy skills to become an effective teacher.  I plan to continue to grow professionally by applying what I learned and share it with my colleagues. In addition, I learned so much through all of you.  Your blogs, reflections, and comments really helped me to reflect on what you learned in relation to what I learned.  We all gained the same skills, but received a different experience.  Because of these different experiences, I gained even more by by taking your ideas and using to build my own.  Thank you everyone, and thank you Dr. Rivera, for creating such an exciting and engaging course.  This experience had a great impact on me, and I do not think that I will leave this course the same teacher as I was when I entered. Farewell to all, and I wish you the best in your endeavors.  Good luck in becoming the "new" tech-savvy teacher.