Final Reflection

A Look Back at the Semester

Where I was

At the beginning of this semester, I considered myself fairly tech savvy. I knew how to use Google slides, docs, and sheets, mostly to collaborate with other teachers. I typically used slides for presentations, but hadn't made the leap to students directly accessing these slides. My kindergarten students used Myon on a regular basis, and we had iPads in our classroom at their disposal. Everyday we use the smartboard at the front of the room. In my mind, we had plenty of tech integrated already.

Where I am

After wrapping up this class, I now realize just how many more opportunities there are to add more technology learning resources in the kindergarten classroom. I was under the impression that there just weren't many applications out there that are primary friendly, or if they were, they required too much time explaining to young students how to use that they weren't practical. 

This course introduced me to so many wonderful applications-- Quizziz, Edpuzzle, Seesaw-- that were easy to use on the teacher, student, and parent side. Each of these apps could help students become more empowered learners, using technology to share what skills they've learned as well as demonstrate their understanding of learning goals. Technology also offers tons of opportunities for formative assessment in a way that students will be more engaged with.

Using technology in the classroom opens up the conversation for digital citizenship, something that can be started early in school. Digital citizenship, or making sure that students understand the rights and responsibilities of living and learning in the digital age and act appropriately in ways that are safe, ethical, and legal, can and should be started in elementary schools. These are topics and skills that can carry over into other aspects of the learning environment, that sense of responsibility to oneself and others. 

Where I'm going

I would like to create more opportunities for students in my kindergarten classroom to not only use technology, but use it in a way that enhances their learning and enriches their understanding of topics. In the future I want to put more of an emphasis on knowledge construction and students using a variety of resources to have meaningful learning experiences and to create artifacts.  

I also plan on talking more with my the school based technology teacher to find ways to better utilize the technology we already have in the classroom, as well as following other teacher's online to see what tech they have and are using in their rooms. 

Myon Reading Resource

Myon

Myon is a virtual library with thousands of books for students in preschool all the way up through high school. These titles are leveled to be age appropriate for their audience and are organized by different topics. 

Students have the option of adding their own books to their device, or teachers can go in and add books for students. There is is even a filter where teachers can select books that are aligned with state standards.

Teacher Resource

 After filling student libraries you can go in a see a break down of your student’s reading habits; you can see how many books they have read, how often they’re reading in class versus at home, and compare week by week. You can also monitor how many books the class has read as a whole.

In addition to assigning readings, educators also have the option of assigning quizzes and projects after students have finished their books. There is a search engine within Myon where you can filter by topic or standard to find age and grade level appropriate projects or readings for students to explore.

Bottom Line: Myon is an excellent literacy tool that can be utilized during Daily Five as a listening station, to teach new science, social studies, or math concepts, and to gauge student and parent involvement outside of the classroom.