This course has taught me many new technology skills that I will be able to use as an educator in my classroom. My view on what 21st-century skills are has been enlightened to a new level. I have learned that 21st-century skills mean information literacy, critical thinking, problem solving, communication skills, teamwork and collaboration, information technology, leadership, creativity and innovative thinking, life-long learning, self-direction, professionalism, ethics, and social responsibility. Before this course, I had very minimal knowledge about blogs and had no knowledge about wikis and podcasts. Not only did I learn about these technology tools, but I learned how to integrate them into my classroom. By using these new technology tools, the kids will be more engaged and more prepared for society. This course has also taught me to think differently when planning lessons. This course and technology has deepened my knowledge of the teaching process and learning process. As a teacher, it is important for me to see my lessons and my classroom as learner-centered rather than teacher-centered. How the kids are learning is so important for teachers to understand. In order to expand my knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology in order to expand student achievement, I will implement everything that I have learned, stay current with technology tools/skills, and promise to provide my students with the technological learning environment that they deserve in this 21st-century world. Two long-term goals for myself include: Developing a classroom blog for the students and parents to interact with and really implementing the 21st-century skills listed above into my daily lessons.
