The project-based learning lessons, group projects, technology, and ideas presented in EDUC 407 have completely enlightened my perspective on digital integration in the classroom. I feel more informed on the possibilities of using tech with students and I understand how beneficial it can be in successfully teaching digital-native-students (Thank you Marc Prensky for teaching me that I am a digital immigrant and my students will be digital natives).
As a future teacher, I feel confident in saying that I will be an advocate for digital technology in my classroom! The articles and videos in this course provide the motivation necessary to be a digital promoter. I believe anyone who watched the amazing results of Sugata Mitra’s experiments on self-teaching with children would agree that technology offers students the tools and information they need to succeed in education. The World is Flat discussion by Thomas Friedman gave the history and insight into how the force of technology has grown and improved our lives exponentially. I was inspired by the story of the little girl in Mexico, Paloma, who became the highest ranking math student in the country because of digital integration in her classroom.
Through this course, I finally utilized tools that I have had access to for years and never touched, such as Google Sites, Google Slides, and Wiki pages. The technology is user-friendly and has made collaborating with my classmates fun and efficient. I am genuinely excited about teaching school-aged children while using all of the “Cool Tools” I was introduced to in this class.
Last, but not least, the astounding references on Project Based Learning have allowed me to envision how I can truly connect my teaching philosophy with my students. I have said in my past posts that I believe children learn best from doing, and PBL is exactly the type of lessons I see myself implementing in my classroom. I tend to get disheartened when I think of teaching a class by merely providing a lecture and administering tests. I want my experience as a teacher and my student’s learning to be so much more than a lecture-test model. The Webquest project solidified my position even further that I intend on providing my students lessons where they can collaborate, be creative, and learn through experiencing a lesson in a real-world context.
Trisha's University Blog 
Hi Trisha, I totally agree, in reference to the fact that children learn best from doing rather than just lectures and tests, which is why I loved learning more about project-based learning and the WebQuest idea and software. Being able to collaborate with each other, and test their learning through experience is where some of the best learning experiences happen. Great post!
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Hi Trisha, This class taught all of us at least a few new things we never knew or heard about. Your WebQuest is fun and colorful, I’m sure anyone who visits your quest will love it. I also agree with you how discouraging it can be to think of teaching the old boring way by lecturing, having students memorize, and testing. I feel so much more confident now after taking this class, it’s like I upgraded myself to a better version of Me. I enjoyed reading your blogs and hope to see you in future classes.
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