EDUC-7106

=EDUC 7106=

Final Project PBL Instructional Unit EDUC 7106

**__Reflection__** As this course draws to a close, take some time to reflect on what you have learned and how it will affect your ability to integrate technology effectively and appropriately in the content area(s) you teach. One of the signs of // lifelong learners //is that they continually monitor and evaluate their professional and personal development. An indicator of // reflective lifelong learners // is the “ability to go beyond a simple description of what happened to consider why it happened, how it is connected to other events, and what adjustments should be made to subsequent actions based on this understanding” (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2010, p. 11). In this Discussion, you are asked to reflect on your // teaching and lifelong learning // and how each has changed as a result of this course.

In your EdS handbook, you read about the Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership outcomes that all candidates meet for graduation, based on the vision and mission of the university. These outcomes have been summarized in eight critical components: (1) teaching and lifelong learning, (2) research with application, (3) reflective and analytical thought, (4) leadership, (5) collaboration, (6) communication, (7) diversity, and (8) social change. In this course, you have focused on the critical component // teaching and lifelong learning, //which is further defined as your ability to “demonstrate current knowledge and skills with the understanding that educators are lifelong learners who continually add to their knowledge and skills” (Cennamo et al., 2010). How did the development of your PBL instructional unit help you grow in your teaching and as a lifelong learner?

Please respond reflectively to each of the following questions from your personal, professional GAME plan as you reflect on the critical component.


 * __Reflection Response:__**


 * GOAL:** One of my goals to extend my ability and integrate the use of technology in the curriculum was to effectively design a PBL Unit that would promote a higher level of critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity among students.


 * ACTION:** Because I’m not a core instructional or grade level teacher, I had to really take the time to examine the curriculum that’s taught by the grade level I chose. I also had to take into account that the classroom teachers would be a reliable source of information for me, therefore, it was essential that I establish a connection with them and plan the unit accordingly. This in turn increased my collaboration skills with my peers.


 * MONITOR:** My choice to seek information from the grade level teachers has helped me become a better teacher and integrate the use of technology tools, which neither the students nor the teachers had ever been exposed to.


 * EVALUATE:** I feel that I’ve been very effective in meeting my goal for this course. This course has helped me become more efficient in the planning phase of my PBL Unit and really think about how I would successfully implement and accomplish integration of technology in the lessons designed for the unit. The design of the PBL unit for this course relies heavily on the use of technology. Technology may not always work when we need it. With that in mind, I would need to make immediate adjustments in the event the technology tools were not operating appropriately.