Final Remarks...

It is hard to believe that this is my last blog for Instructional Apps of the Internet.  As I reflect on the past five weeks that have flown by, I know I have acquired new knowledge and skills that I will be able to use in my profession as an educator.  My favorite project and the most challenging for me was the CMS project.  Prior to this course I new nothing about Moodle.  Once I started learning Moodle and after asking Dr. Ingram questions about Moodle, I feel Moodle would be beneficial to me in that I can organize my class materials all online.  Although I do not have computers in my classroom for my students to use currently, I can still organize my computer-based projects in Moodle so that it is easier for my students to access the materials when it is time to complete the projects.  I am all about being organized!  It is just one less challenge and makes life a little easier.

I also enjoyed creating my instructional website.  Although I have created instructional website before, this assignment challenged me to create a website for a different unit within my curriculum.  I like having the opportunity to improve my current curriculum while working and learning towards achieving my Master's degree.  It certainly makes the Master's program worthwhile when you can apply the concepts and materials from the courses.


As far as the podcast and the webquest, I do see a place for both in education.  I do not feel I will use podcasts as much in my teaching unless I have students with learning disabilities that would benefit from them.  Also, the webquest I designed for the course was average.  I do not feel that my webquest would be better than some of the current hands-on exploratory activities I have in my unit.  Webquests do have their place in education.  As I look to improve other areas in my curriculum, I may see that a webquest would be provide the best learning opportunity for my students.

Although it has been a fast and busy month, I am grateful for the projects and the design of the course.  This course has been challenging and rewarding at the same time.  I can tell I have certainly learned from this course and I look forward to applying my knowledge and skills in my teaching.

In the Homestretch!

 As we enter this final week of Instructional Applications of the Internet, I am feeling much more at ease.  I still have a few things to tweak in my CMS project, another blog to complete after this one, post a few comments on others blogs, review the group wiki, and participate in the final discussions.  The list still seems long, but its all small tasks that need to be completed.

The one thing I have enjoyed most about this class is that it has challenged me to learn and use new types of technologies.  For instance, I have never done Blog, but have found it to be beneficial in reflecting on what I am learning in the course.  It is important to reflect and make connections of the materials in a course because that is when it becomes meaningful.  Additionally, I have never used Audacity and Moodle for my own instructional purposes.  I was familiar with Podcasts and CMS, but never had the opportunity or challenge to use it for my instructional purposes.  Furthermore, I realized I had developed my own misconception about webquests and perceived them as just another instructional website.

When we face challenges to change our current views and ideas or to dapple into new territory, we are provided opportunities to learn and grow.  If everything was easy, we would not have to improve or change.  We all know life is not always easy and we will have to learn how to overcome challenges.  I can honestly say that I feel I have learned a great deal from this course and am grateful for the opportunities to acquire more knowledge and skills.