Reflections on pattern of use of technology

Before this class, I have thought that I have a pretty good basic background on which technological tools can be used for education. I thought that there might only be a couple that I did not know. However, till this time, I have learned from many tool and lit presentations that I have not heard before.

 If I were to count some examples for tools presentations, I can say that del.icio.us, Smartboard, Audocity, wikibooks, Google spreadsheet and presentation, many open content websites like flickr ..  are all new to me. Although I have used bookmarking, I have not had used any online one, although I have used Garageband, I haven’t had used Audacity, although I have used Google docs, I have not used Google presentation till this time. I can say that one of the revolutionary learning experiences from tools presentation for me was the Smartboard. I am amazed by that tool. It was my first time that I have seen it and I have asked myself why teachers do not talk about this amazing tool that often. Aren’t they using this often in the schools? or they have used it so many times in the last years and now this technological tool is an old one and people do not pay any attention any more. According to me, this technological tool can never get old so quick, but I really wonder how or why I have not heard about till this time. I believe that I catch up one significant technological tool that I have not been aware of. 

 I believe that actually, having the tools presentations and listening those technological tools from our friends was really a great way of learning from each other. I am sure that all of us have learned many technological tools that we would not know, learn or hear otherwise, as it happened with me on Smartboard.As there is massive information on the net and even the best search engines, most of the time, cannot provide suitable results to educators for learning more about the technological tools and how to incorporate them into teaching and learning.  I am very happy that I have learned about these tools and think about them critically with the help of this course.

As for literature presentations, some of them such as Web 2.0, digital divide, digital disconnect, Curriculum Standards were all new to me. I think I really gained a pretty good perspective on what they are about and what their roles are on education. Having this concrete knowledge on these topics now, I think I can easily understand when I come across a writing piece or a discussion on these topics. Before, I would sit silently and try to figure out what people mean by Web 2.0. Now as a doctoral student, I connot think myself deprived of such crucial education terms like digital divide and digital disconnect.

Finally, I would like to say thank you to everyone who presented a topic and play a role in my learning and above all, I would like to thank Dr. Hammond for providing us the chance to work on and present on such significant technological tools and literature topics that are on the agenda.