Week 13 Reflection

Well, I have tried three different times to connect my gabcast to this week's reflection and it hasn't worked yet. I used up my five free minutes so if I want to try again, I will need to pay for this experience. The cost seems to be rising as I have already expended my time and patience on this type of technology. Apparently, with this particular form of technology I have been unable to navigate through the "shark infested" waters on my way to "Success Island." In the past, when I have been able to observe what I am to do and then I am able to try it on my own I have been successful. Without any idea of what to do for a gabcast, my results seem to be just be just the opposite, failure.

On a much more cheery note, this week during my field experience I have used various forms of technology. I put the finishing touches on a PowerPoint presentation I had created about the differences between gothic and Romanesque architecture use in cathedrals during the Middle Ages. I spent a great deal of time refining lesson plans with my partner as we prepared a print and digital copy for our cooperating teacher. My partner and I sent a huge amount of time communicating through chat, email, and working on shared documents. In addition, I spent time submitting my technology interview and communicating with other students in the program to finish up our web quest and a presentation for a creative arts methods class.

I have found that I depend quite heavily on internet research when I am learning about topics and creating lesson plans. It must have been very different for educators when the internet was not available. They must have taken most of their information from textbooks. Research must have taken place in the libraries instead of in the comfort of your own home. While creating my teacher work sample, I have remembered to save it in several different locations. I would hate to loose all of my hard work. Learning about shared documents and groups has been my most valuable tool I used daily in my educational experience.

Anyway, I have had three technology filled weeks during my field experience. I will miss the teacher and students we have been observing, but I am ready to finish up the semester so I can get busy in my garden!