This is the category to apply to your Weekly Reflection posts from the course.
This week we explored inclusive technologies that support students. There are so many different technologies, like speech-to-text, mics, screen readers, communication supports, and organizational tools. I’ve noticed that these tools work best when schools have enough resources and can use them thoughtfully. Sometimes, though, I’ve seen them cause problems for other students. For example, teachers…
It turns out that I really enjoy Minecraft. I had never played before, but after Kara’s presentation on Minecraft: Education Edition, I got curious and decided to give it a try. I explored the lesson library and was amazed by what teachers and students can do with it. The lessons are creative and open-ended, covering…
This week we were looking at different models for using educational technology. The group I was in was looking at TPACK. The framework is essentially that the technology used in the classroom should align with your pedagogy and content. If it does not, it probably isn’t helpful to use in the classroom. I think this…
The first Focused Ed meeting I attended was the general K-8 one. I am so excited to really get access to these resources when I get hired by a school district. 4 Canoes, Worldbook, and KnowBC are the ones I think I’m looking forward to most. I loved the idea of creating a scavenger hunt…
As we continue our conversations about AI use in education, I am beginning to clarify my position. At this point, I do not think it is beneficial for young children to have access to generative AI, especially within schools. While I can see its value as a tool for teachers—such as modifying articles to different…
I am someone who loves nuance. I enjoy seeing both sides of an issue, learning from multiple perspectives, and sitting with ideas rather than rushing to conclusions. I’m especially drawn to topics that don’t have a clear right or wrong answer, which is why AI has been such an interesting focus over the past couple…
One of the major limitations of Generative AI is that we don’t know how it thinks, or even if it truly “understands” anything at all. Its responses are based on patterns in vast amounts of data, not reasoning or lived experience. That means it can confidently generate information that is wrong, biased, or misleading. In…
I thought I was excited to become a teacher, but I was dead wrong. After visiting the Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry and seeing what learning and teaching can look like, I’m now truly excited to be a teacher. I have never felt more inspired than I did during my visit to PSII. The…
I might have taken it as an omen when I couldn’t log in to Zoom for the first of our Tech Education classes, had the rest of the class not gone so smoothly. As someone who loves learning new technologies and worked in the industry for eight years, I’m excited to explore how technology can…
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