Brian Askins

EDT 180 Reflection Paper

Looking back at all of the reflections I have completed for this class there is a very

obvious trend among them. Before I completed the project I was not completely sure how the

technology could fit into the classroom setting. As I completed each project it opened my eyes

and I was able see how I can possibly use them in my own lesson plans in the future. I also

learned that I definitely need to use the technology a little bit before creating a project as it will

get me accustomed to how it works and help overall with the projects.

One of the main challenges I encountered while working on these projects was the

computer I was working on. At the beginning of the semester I only had a Google Chromebook

to work on, which was very limiting. I was not able to download full versions of apps and had to

find web based alternatives. Later in the semester I was able to buy an iPad but that also had its

limitations, as it is an iOS product and is only compatible with applications made specifically for

the iPad. For example, the construction module was difficult to complete since I could not use all

the features of PowerPoint within the iPad version of the app. I got around these problems by

going to the ASU Library or asking friends if I could use their laptops when I was in my dorm. I

became accustomed to these challenges and knew to plan ahead for them, so I had time to work

around them.

Before this class I did not think technology could be used in the classroom other than

students using iPads for interactive apps. After completing the different types of modules I

learned that there are many types of tech that can be used to encourage learning that I had not

thought about. While I personally will not use everything we learned about in this class as it may

not fit into the elementary level, I will continue to be creative and always think about how I can
 Brian Askins

update my lessons to include the newest creations of tech. I believe my idea changed because I

had never been told to explore this subject before so I was clueless to all it had to offer. Once I

was told to create all the different projects it opened my eyes to the whole world of introducing

technology into schools.

One thing I have seen in my peers work that I would like to implement myself is more

creativity. While I like to think that I am creative in my work, once I do a few peer reviews I

always see room for improvement in my ideas. Another aspect I can improve on that I see in

other’s work is thoroughness. There are some times that I will not complete a project at my full

capability and I know that I can put more effort into them. I see how thorough other students are

with their work and it made me realize that I should put a little more effort into my own work.

One way I can fix this is by making sure that I start the project early and give myself time to edit

and revise. The modules helped me learn that editing and revising is very important to make a

complete and thorough project.

The project that I would revisit and change would be the Inquiry Module Project. If I am

being completely honest, I put this project on hold because I was stressed with other homework

at the time, and was confused by the directions. This meant that I had to wait until I visited the

IgnitED Labs until I could actually write the paper, which put me behind everyone else. Because

of this, it was hard to fix a lot of the feedback I had received from my peers. If I could do this

project again from the start, I would have gone to the lab the day it was assigned just to get that

out of the way, and write the project plan as soon as possible. This would have allowed me to

receive good feedback that I would have time to fix later on. I would have also asked more

questions at the beginning since I did not fully understand the directions. I thought I would be
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bugging the professor by asking questions, so I decided to stay quiet which I regret now.

Obviously after getting to know how college classes work, I understand that asking questions is

crucial, and that is something that I will make sure I do more of in the future.

One goal I would like to set for myself in the next semester is to be proactive. A lot of my

time spent on homework this semester is catching up, and I hardly have time to get ahead. If I

start assignments early and get them done with plenty of extra time, I will not be stressed and can

focus more on harder assignments. This is something that has carried over from my high school

years and while I have improved significantly from then, I can still get even better. I will set up a

plan each week on things that need to be done and use it as a checklist to see exactly how much

work I have left to do. If I can stick to this plan, next semester will be a breeze and I will not be

as stressed as I was this semester.