6715-final reflection

This course has helped me gain a better understanding of emergent, emerged, and divergent technologies and their impact on schools and learning. With new technologies continuously on the horizon and all of the technology that is already available, it’s critical that educators who are familiar with technology and it’s impact on learning, take leadership roles within their schools and guide their co-workers in implementing and feeling comfortable in using these technologies.
Implementing digital games such as Wolf Quest can engage and extend students knowledge of content material by students participating and being able to explore, survive, and adapt as wolves at the same time allowing students to communicate and collaborate as team members in wolf packs. These types of activities let students tap into their critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity skills. Students also are able to learn from and lead peers in applying content material related to the standards.
To help lead the influence into my school, I will need to make sure I stay informed on the latest and greatest technologies and research. I also need to continuously implement technology within my classroom so I am comfortable in exposing coworkers to these technologies and their benefits so they can employ them within their own classroom. More importantly, I will need to help ensure that administration is on board with the impact these technologies have on learning so interactive games and multimedia sites are not blocked.