Over the past few weeks, I have learned alot about the ways technology and education can transform and provide students with a better method of learning. Something that stood out to me the most within the readings is the role of a teacher in the classroom and the relationship of a teacher and student while using digital technology. I've learned that digital technology does not replace the importance of the teachers but gives teachers the role as facilitators that guide students throughout the process of teaching. I think this is especially a great way to allow students to really master their own skills and explore different ways they can teach themselves with the guidance of teachers. It brings a modern twist to this age which I think is really important considering we are advaning daily in many aspects.

Rose- Being able to utilize tech as a way to explore learning

Thorn-would like to explore how tech changes learning in class-more experiential learning

Already, in the first few weeks we've been in this class, my perception of technology in education has changed drastically. Our reading of Selwyn's Education and Technology: Key Issues and Debates has complicated and expanded my understanding of the many possibilities technology allows for formal and informal education.

Our own project on a Selwyn chapter was challenging in a way that I had not expected. I used Tumblr, a website I associate with mindless procrastination (because that's how most of my friends use it), to present my project. I used it in a way that I didn't know was possible, and it has expanded my idea of how social media and communication on the internet can and should be used academically. I had to work to overcome a nagging sense that because of the medium I was using, my work was not legitimate or worthwhile. I felt a little bit guilty until I finished my project, but then realized that the medium I had used really can be utilized for academic purposes.

I hope I can continue, through this course, to explore and discover new avenues for communication and education. I think our work with Minecraft and Twitter will definitely help me with that.

Technology is a great tool to promote education and learning but not pedagogy in the pure sense of the word. Technological ability and mastery of the digital machine is very appropriate for our global landscape and we need to familiarize our selves with it. Technology though could never replaced the teacher ............

One rose is that I have been encouraged oustide of class to talk with more people, peers, and professors about the issue of technology and education. A thorn is that technology has already shown itself to be a bit of an obstacle in our activities so far, for example, Serendip login issues. 

The first three weeks of this course have been really interesting. I have started thinking about the relationship between people and technology, which is not something I have ever thought about before. Learning about technology through the scope of education has given me a new perspective on the uses of technology and my relationship to tech. I have liked exploring this side of technology and feel like I am beginning to understand how much potential technology has to help teachers.  

As far as the content goes I am not really struggling, however the unstructured setup of the course and field placement are leaving me a little confused. 

Before beginning this course, I thought that technology in the classroom simply meant laptops and Smart Boards, but now I'm finding that "technology" encompasses so much more than that. It's really cool to hear about educators who are incorporating Twitter and a more informal approach to learning in ther curricula. 

However, I still have doubts as to what digital technology can accomplish as compared to more traditional - and sometimes less expensive - technologies. What are the benefits of learning through digital technology? I think that working with students at Shipley will help me answer this question. 

One of the fascinating parts of this course is the in-depth look at digital technology as a learning tool/environment.  Something I felt sure about before entering the course was a positive belief in self directed learning, which keyholes easily with digital technology.   However, I think after reading Selwyn, and researching some of the philosophies and politics of both I have to question my own understanding.  Then more questions arise about just what education is designed to do, and how that changes how it is delivered.  Another part of my world turned upside down... I was contentedly ignorant about twitter, and tumblr, but since being in class have been slowly moving into the light. I realized I am a little bit shy, and did not want to be exposed. Yet, it is not as scary as I imagined, it's actually liberating.  That would count as my rose, and the thorn is the frustratingly slow progress I make with all the new interfaces.

As we are coming into the end of our first unit I realize I have been learning a lot.  Most of what I have learned has come from our Selwyn reading.  Before reading it I had not really explored the possibilities,pros and cons of education and technology. I learned that there are people who believe technology should replace schools and teachers. I have also learned that some online forms of schooling already exist where these traditional educational forms are missing. I'm excited to continue exploring this. 

I feel like we're building a very strong learning community in the classroom. I think as the semester progresses we're really going to learn a lot from one another. It is definitely a strength. At this point in the semester I don't really have anything to complain about. I think we've been discussing readings well. Overall I'm content and excited to move forward!