Final Reflection

Blogs, wikis, podcasts, Ning, Jing, social webs, photosharing. All are terms that I had not heard and technologies that I knew nothing about. That was eight weeks ago. In taking EDU 255 I not only learned what these technologies are I also created educational tools using them.

I am a high school guidance counselor who is also serving as a work experience coordinator. We, the work experience coordinators, have about eighty students each semester participate in our work experience program. Work experience is a class that has no seat time. The students do not report to a classroom. We, as coordinators, meet with the students as a group at the beginning and end of each semester. With this extremely limited contact it is hard to build a relationship with the students and provide instruction.

Even though I am not into learning technology I enrolled in EDU 255 to learn new ways to communicate with and instruct the students in work experience. Every assignment was an opportunity for me to address an educational need. I created the blog Mingus Union High School Work Experience to communicate with our students. I can now provide instruction in different formats addressing various learning styles. Photosharing, embedded video, and embedded audio allow me to present material in a visual and/or audio form addressing visual and auditory learners. Asking the students to create assignments using blogs, wikis, photosharing, Jings, allows them the opportunity to explore and share their creativity.

With the help of instructors Ruth, Todd and Thatcher I have a good start on the blog that will be used next semester. I plan to use a second blog for gathering and sharing ideas and lesson plans for work experience programs everywhere.

I thank my instructors and fellow classmates for the instruction, guidance, and encouragement provided these past eight weeks. Your support made the learning not only possible but also enjoyable