Edtc640 Simala Project 4 Reflection

Running head: COURSE REFLECTION
Project 4 Course Reflection
Gabby Simala
UMGC - EDTC640
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COURSE REFLECTION
Course Reflection
Introduction
Over the duration of this course, I went from an in-person elementary school teacher to
an online teacher because of circumstances outside of my control. The virus that is spreading
around the world is changing the way teachers deliver instruction and how students learn. Now
more than ever, I am seeing the importance of technology in education. As a graduate student in
an instructional technology program, my colleagues are constantly coming to me for support
with technology. I feel like a technology coach already! I am so appreciative of the solid
educational technology foundation I have from this course and the overall instructional
technology master’s program.
My experience with this course was positive and informative. I felt that I was able to take
all of the useful resources provided and be fearless in using them. I received support from my
peers and professor and felt that even if I made mistakes, I could learn from them, so there was
nothing to lose. I will apply what I learned in this course in my own classroom by integrating
technology into my instruction, and especially my writing instruction using the tools included in
my District Technology Training Program (DTTP).
District Technology Training Program
Out of the course outcomes listed in the syllabus, the one that I have achieved in-depth is
“Develop a detailed teacher training program on technology integration for a school district,
including an assessment strategy for measuring the program's effectiveness”. I met this course
outcome through my detailed work on the creation of my training program. I am so proud of the
DTTP I created because it responded directly to the needs of the staff at my school. They
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COURSE REFLECTION
explained how they wanted support with technology and how to integrate it into their instruction
so I created a program that guided teachers on how to integrate technology into their writing
instruction. The focus of my DTTP was on writing because this subject can be a struggle for all
elementary grade levels (K-5). Writing can be taught in any content area, so the results of this
DTTP will benefit students across all grades, in every subject.
In my DTTP, I included all that I learned through our course readings about what
participants need and want in professional development. Based on everything I learned, I created
a PD program with flexibility in format, content for all grade levels, course options, and short,
teacher-led sessions. By creating a PD program centered around what teachers need and want, I
am more likely to have participants want to try out my program because they will know that this
is worth their time. Through this course, I learned that one of the most important things about
coaching others is being a good listener. Whether you are listening to their needs to determine
how to best help them, or listening to their successes and failures so that you can be more
supportive. Being a good listener will help establish a relationship of trust, which is very
important! You will have a much more receptive audience if you are trusted.
Learning Activities
The learning activity that helped me the most was the creation of my school board
presentation. I felt like creating this presentation with the school board being the audience gave
me purpose and perspective. I now had a reason for the development of my district technology
training program and I was excited to share my hard work.
The creation of the support site was also a very helpful experience for me. I liked how all
of the projects and videos we had done over the course of the semester could now be compiled in
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COURSE REFLECTION
one spot. It was as if I was showing off all of my work this semester in a portfolio. I enjoy
making things organized and visually appealing, so I have fun designing my support site.
Next Steps
After this course, I hope to continue to be a leader of technology at my school and
amongst my peers. I hope to provide the necessary support they need to be able to incorporate
technology in their delivery of instruction and guide their students in the use of technology. I will
also take the technology plan I created for my school’s administration team so they can consider
making the courses I have designed available to teachers at my school. Through the new
professional development program I have created, there will be an increase in opportunities for
teachers to advance their understanding of how to use technology in their teaching. Not only will
this positively impact teachers, but this professional development program will also benefit the
students. Teachers who are more comfortable using technology in their instruction will be able to
confidently guide their students.
Conclusion
This graduate school course has taught me many important things about professional
development and technology. One of the many essential things I will take from this course is
understanding of the use of data to drive decision making so that the outcome is more beneficial
and personalized to the needs of the participants. I look forward to applying all that I learned in
this course by being a supportive mentor to my colleagues and knowledgeable leader to my
students.

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Running head: COURSE REFLECTION

Project 4 Course Reflection

an instructional technology program, my colleagues are constantly coming to me for support

technology master’s program.

my District Technology Training Program (DTTP).

District Technology Training Program

DTTP will benefit students across all grades, in every subject.

training program and I was excited to share my hard work.

After this course, I hope to continue to be a leader of technology at my school and

confidently guide their students.

this course by being a supportive mentor to my colleagues and knowledgeable leader to my

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