Looking Back:
Getting accepted into this program was very amazing, yet scary. Amazing because I love learning new things. As I researched this program, I was intrigued by the focus of the program in regards to STEM, and new innovative ideas that I would be able to take away from the program and fellows. However, I was nervous because science is not my best subject, and I am not too technology savvy. I was unsure what to expect in regards to the depth of knowledge I truly needed to be successful in the program.
I must say that from Day 1 to Day 10 my worry was quickly eliminated. I have learned so much from those 10 days that realistically should have taken me months to learn. In terms of technology, I went from being able to create cool PowerPoint’s to creating a Google classroom, creating and managing a website, creating memes, creating videos and uploading them onto YouTube, creating hyperlinks, and acquiring new knowledge such as technology not only being electronically based but materials such as clay and journals are considered to be technology.
The face-to-face experience this past summer was nothing that I have ever experienced. Each day we came to class, we had a set agenda that we completed at the exact time that was projected. Every minute definitely counted each day. For example, we were given 30 minutes to complete a ‘quick-fire’, and a visible timer was displayed and when that timer stopped, activity was over. I loved how each day we learned something new or learned a different way to do something we already were familiar with. For example, the different tech tips. The classes were full of fun, laughter, and intentional. This program really had me to step outside of my comfort zone with science. The activity that we did on illuminating our discipline required me to know how to put circuits together and I was clueless at first. However my group members assisted me with the task!
I appreciate all of my new learning from this experience. Personally it really had me looking at the world differently. Specifically, finding a science connection everywhere I go similar to the ‘alphabits’ activity that we participated in. It allowed me to appreciate the true meaning of teamwork, with the different activities we were responsible for within our groups. We truly held one another accountable for our roles with reminders, and assisted each other if anyone of us were behind. Or example, one of our team members did not publish everything onto heir site so another and myself stayed behind in class to assist our team member with completing this task.
Looking Forward:
My participation in this summer face-to-face meetings has made me really re-evaluate my approach to professional developments and assisting teachers with repurposing technology within their classroom so that it is effective. This experience has not changed my view on how teaching should look and feel. I am a firm believer that learning should be fun, engaging, meaningful, and most importantly intentional and including new learning.
As I prepare for the processional developments that I will be leading, I am ensuring that I include things such as ‘quick fires’, or brain breaks. Have hands on activities incorporated, so that it is not just lecture. Introduce Google classroom to the teachers, as well as blogs and website creation. I want the teachers to get excited after the meetings and have a toolbox of ideas and activities to incorporate in the classroom.
The concept of STEM is not as scary as I thought it was!
Excerpts from my daily reflections:
"Today’s session was very informal. The way it began with the activity that included technology and engagement was wonderful. Today allowed me to introduce myself to my peers on an intimate level and vice versa." Day 1
"Today began with us completing a Google form regarding PlayStations, things that we would like to learn more about such as blended learning, robotics, Google classrooms, space makers, and etc. Infusing technology effectively in lessons. How mobile phones can be used in the class as well for pictures and videos." Day 2
"We did an activity where we recreated TPACK by finding people that was the t, c, or p. Then took a selfie and discussed how we can make the content, technology, and pedagogy wok together. That was a great way for us to come up with creative ways to make technology work in the class." Day 3
"Conceptual misunderstanding. As a group we came up with misconceptions regarding our discipline and how did e overcome it. Our ‘Quick Fire’, was based on breaking the laws of physics while perpetuating a misconception". Day 5
"Today we switched it up with instructors and classroom. We had a lot of work time today focusing on our I-image, amazing STEM, embedding pictures from the first week, and one on one conferences with Punya and Candance." Day 6
"Today was mainly working on our I Video. Reviewing and discussing the key factors from the reading really made me think deeper into the big idea of my ImagineIT. I came up with the idea: writing in math class." Day 9
"Today I found it to be a little stressful. The I video is truly making me look deeper into my big idea. The amount of things that I learned this past couple of weeks with technology, sites, and shortcuts has really helped me to be more confident in my independent assignment." Day 10
Getting accepted into this program was very amazing, yet scary. Amazing because I love learning new things. As I researched this program, I was intrigued by the focus of the program in regards to STEM, and new innovative ideas that I would be able to take away from the program and fellows. However, I was nervous because science is not my best subject, and I am not too technology savvy. I was unsure what to expect in regards to the depth of knowledge I truly needed to be successful in the program.
I must say that from Day 1 to Day 10 my worry was quickly eliminated. I have learned so much from those 10 days that realistically should have taken me months to learn. In terms of technology, I went from being able to create cool PowerPoint’s to creating a Google classroom, creating and managing a website, creating memes, creating videos and uploading them onto YouTube, creating hyperlinks, and acquiring new knowledge such as technology not only being electronically based but materials such as clay and journals are considered to be technology.
The face-to-face experience this past summer was nothing that I have ever experienced. Each day we came to class, we had a set agenda that we completed at the exact time that was projected. Every minute definitely counted each day. For example, we were given 30 minutes to complete a ‘quick-fire’, and a visible timer was displayed and when that timer stopped, activity was over. I loved how each day we learned something new or learned a different way to do something we already were familiar with. For example, the different tech tips. The classes were full of fun, laughter, and intentional. This program really had me to step outside of my comfort zone with science. The activity that we did on illuminating our discipline required me to know how to put circuits together and I was clueless at first. However my group members assisted me with the task!
I appreciate all of my new learning from this experience. Personally it really had me looking at the world differently. Specifically, finding a science connection everywhere I go similar to the ‘alphabits’ activity that we participated in. It allowed me to appreciate the true meaning of teamwork, with the different activities we were responsible for within our groups. We truly held one another accountable for our roles with reminders, and assisted each other if anyone of us were behind. Or example, one of our team members did not publish everything onto heir site so another and myself stayed behind in class to assist our team member with completing this task.
Looking Forward:
My participation in this summer face-to-face meetings has made me really re-evaluate my approach to professional developments and assisting teachers with repurposing technology within their classroom so that it is effective. This experience has not changed my view on how teaching should look and feel. I am a firm believer that learning should be fun, engaging, meaningful, and most importantly intentional and including new learning.
As I prepare for the processional developments that I will be leading, I am ensuring that I include things such as ‘quick fires’, or brain breaks. Have hands on activities incorporated, so that it is not just lecture. Introduce Google classroom to the teachers, as well as blogs and website creation. I want the teachers to get excited after the meetings and have a toolbox of ideas and activities to incorporate in the classroom.
The concept of STEM is not as scary as I thought it was!
Excerpts from my daily reflections:
"Today’s session was very informal. The way it began with the activity that included technology and engagement was wonderful. Today allowed me to introduce myself to my peers on an intimate level and vice versa." Day 1
"Today began with us completing a Google form regarding PlayStations, things that we would like to learn more about such as blended learning, robotics, Google classrooms, space makers, and etc. Infusing technology effectively in lessons. How mobile phones can be used in the class as well for pictures and videos." Day 2
"We did an activity where we recreated TPACK by finding people that was the t, c, or p. Then took a selfie and discussed how we can make the content, technology, and pedagogy wok together. That was a great way for us to come up with creative ways to make technology work in the class." Day 3
"Conceptual misunderstanding. As a group we came up with misconceptions regarding our discipline and how did e overcome it. Our ‘Quick Fire’, was based on breaking the laws of physics while perpetuating a misconception". Day 5
"Today we switched it up with instructors and classroom. We had a lot of work time today focusing on our I-image, amazing STEM, embedding pictures from the first week, and one on one conferences with Punya and Candance." Day 6
"Today was mainly working on our I Video. Reviewing and discussing the key factors from the reading really made me think deeper into the big idea of my ImagineIT. I came up with the idea: writing in math class." Day 9
"Today I found it to be a little stressful. The I video is truly making me look deeper into my big idea. The amount of things that I learned this past couple of weeks with technology, sites, and shortcuts has really helped me to be more confident in my independent assignment." Day 10