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Reflection Module 3 and 4

Connect

                Extend

                                         Challenge

Connect

How are the ideas and information presented 

CONNECTED to what you already knew?

As a veteran teacher I can't help but to reflect on how much the 

traditional classroom has changed over the years. The biggest 

changes started occurring when technology was introduced in the 

classroom. Prior to the introduction of technology, more 

specifically, mobile technology, teachers were confined to using 

black boards, chalk and outdated text books to deliver instruction.  

Although these traditional methods appeared to be effective in 

delivering instruction, it offered nothing exciting for the students or 

the teachers.   Mobile technology takes learning to a new level and 

allows us to present material to our students in a way that at times 

seems "mind-blowing".    

CONNECT                                         

Then

One activity that teachers would often use for instructional delivery was the Find-

A-Word work sheet. Students would receive a sheet with a find-a-word puzzle in 

which the student would fill in the puzzle with the correct words to ultimately 

reveal the concepts that was being taught for that lesson.   Each student would 

be confined to their desk until they had completed their sheet and had no 

interaction with the other classmates.   For a little excitement, teachers would 

sometimes allow the students to work in pairs which supposedly eliminated the 

monotony of completing the activity alone.   This type of activity had students 

functioning at levels of just remembering words and filling in the blanks.   This 

method of instruction delivery was very rigid, teacher-centered, and drill and kill.

Connect

Now

With mobile learning we now have QR Codes.   Quick Response codes offer a fun 

and exciting way for students to use their computer or mobile devices in the 

classroom to lead them in a fun and interactive way of receiving information. A QR 

(quick response) code is similar in principle to a bar code -- a matrix image that 

can be scanned using a mobile device like a smart phone or a tablet with Internet 

access.   This fun and interactive way of delivering instruction allows for student 

movement and gives students the opportunity to control their access to 

information.   Students are now able to apply Higher Order thinking skills by 

implementing skills to gather information, using decoding to analyze the 

information, deciphering the information gathered and devising an appropriate use 

for the information gathered.   It also allows students to develop their Information 

Fluency; the skills you need to not only search for information, but to use the 

acquired knowledge in an effective way.   Students are able to ask, acquire, 

analyze, apply, and assess the information that they discover and apply it in a 

meaningful way.

Extend

What new ideas did you get that EXTENDED 

or pushed your thinking in new directions?

Then

Once again, I can't help but to look at all of this from the 

perspective of the veteran teacher who taught for many years 

straight from a textbook and having only a few tools and resources 

at my fingertips to use for instructional delivery.   For many years we 

were asked to act as the "Technology Cop" and search and confiscate 

any technology being brought into the classroom.   This usually 

angered the student and started the class on a negative note for 

both the student and the teacher. One big change that came in my 

thinking was as a teacher how could I utilize a tool (mobile devices) 

in my classroom instruction that allows my students to bring the fun 

that they receive from using their mobile devices, into our 

classroom.  

Extend

Now

The excitement that mobile technology brings to the classroom is 

contagious!!   Mobile learning has turned the light bulb on for me and 

I have actually observed a direct correlation between excitement and 

retention.   The more excited and interested the students are in the 

learning, the more information they appear to retain. Instead of 

being the "tech cop", I am now the "tech cheerleader"   As a teacher, 

exciting tools like "Photo Treasure Hunts" offer far more to my 

students than the traditional scavenger hunt drills that we would 

use.   This engaging activity allows the students to take charge of 

their learning.   “Treasure hunts are a fun way for students to use 

problem solving skills, to work in teams, to practice comprehensions 

skills, and to use technology resources all while practicing subject 

matter”   These type of ideas definitely pushed my thinking in a 

whole new direction than the instruction methods that have been 

used for years.

Challenge

What is still CHALLENGING or confusing for you to get your mind 

around? What questions, wonderings or puzzles do you now have?

According to the Partnership for 21st Century Skills,"Every child in 

the U.S. needs 21st century knowledge and skills to succeed as 

effective citizens, workers and leaders."   Because of the gap 

between the skills students are learning in school and the skills 

needed in a typical 21st Century workplace, schools must align 

classroom environments with real world environments by fusing the 

3Rs and 4Cs. The challenge that I face is trying to stay abreast of 

all the exciting and engaging tools available for my students and 

do my part in the prep.   One of the reasons why I am in the MS IDT 

program is because I want to surround myself with courses and 

colleagues who are also trying to take their students and instruction 

to needed levels.   But what else could I be doing? It will take all 

stakeholders to meet the challenge of preparing our students with 

21st Century Skills.

References

http://teaching.uncc.edu/learning-resources/articles-

books/best-practice/goals-objectives/writing-objectives

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2013/07/three-ways-to-

make-useful-qr-codes-for.html

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/qr-codes-to-differentiate-

instruction-monica-burns

http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/blog/2013/09/19/klikaklu-

treasure-hunts/

https://docs.google.com/document/d/11aF227wUp_z3Xbkvoolwb

iS0tohiXT3dSp7f9rnPZO0/edit

https://globaldigitalcitizen.org/

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