It is difficult to believe that we only have two weeks left and then this semester will be over. Time has gone by so fast. Looking back, I realize this semester has been very challenging and different. When I started this class, I didn’t know what to expect. I went to the first class not knowing anything about what we would learn. In the beginning, we learned simple things, but later we studied more interesting ideas that made me think deeply about teaching and learning.

This class has helped me understand how important technology is in education. It’s a big help for teachers because it makes lessons more dynamic and interactive for students. For example, using videos, online tools, and games in lessons can make learning easier and more exciting for everyone.

Like everything, technology also has some problems. Students might use it to cheat or copy and paste instead of learning on their own. As a future teacher, I will try to stop this by making specific rules in the classroom. I will also create tasks that require students to think creatively and understand the material better. This way, technology can be used in the right way to help students. I believe it will be a challenge but nothing is impossible!

Today, not all teachers use technology in their lessons, but I think that in the future, almost all teachers will. Technology is such a great tool for teaching because it helps students stay focused and makes lessons more interesting. Teachers who know how to use it well will be better prepared to support their students.

In conclusion, Digital Learning has been very useful for me. It has taught me how to use technology in teaching and explained me why it is so important. I feel more confident about using digital tools in my future classroom to make learning fun and effective for my students. This class has been a big step forward in my journey to becoming a better teacher.

Link: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGWCwDpr88/Ky6UWWTbYukNf0HcezuLYg/edit?utm_content=DAGWCwDpr88&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

Activity: Students will write a well-structured opinion paragraph on a chosen topic, using a combination of digital tools to brainstorm, organize, write, and enhance their work visually.

Content Knowledge (CK)

Teach the structure of an opinion paragraph, giving examples of good paragraph writing and discussing persuasive techniques like providing reasons and examples.

Pedagogical Knowledge (PK)

To teach opinion writing effectively, a scaffolded approach is used. Begin by modeling how to write an opinion paragraph on the board, showing students the step-by-step process. Then, guide students through brainstorming as a class, allowing them to practice forming opinions on given topics. Next, move on to independent writing, where students will apply the steps on their own. Peer review will be incorporated, encouraging students to provide constructive feedback. This teaching method builds confidence and collaborative learning.

Technological Knowledge (TK)

Students will use different tools to enhance their writing and editing process. Google Docs will be used for drafting, enabling easy sharing and collaboration during peer review. Students will use Grammarly to check their paragraphs for grammar and style errors, learning to self-correct and improve their writing. Finally, Canva will be used to transform their written work into a visually engaging presentation, such as an infographic or poster, encouraging creativity and visual literacy alongside writing skills.

Technological Content Knowledge (TCK)

This step involves aligning teaching methods with the content to enhance understanding. Students will first be taught the structure of an opinion paragraph and then guided through practical exercises like brainstorming and drafting, which deepen their understanding of the writing process. Using examples and peer collaboration helps reinforce the content. The aim is to ensure students not only learn the theory behind writing but also practice applying it, making the learning process more interactive and student-centered.

Technological Pedagogical Knowledge (TPK)

Technology is integrated into the teaching strategies to support learning outcomes. Google Docs allows for real-time collaboration and feedback, which fosters an interactive learning environment. Grammarly aids students in refining their writing, helping them become more aware of grammatical rules and stylistic choices. The use of Canva introduces a creative dimension, as students learn to visualize their opinions, enhancing both their engagement and understanding of how opinions can be expressed in multiple formats. Technology here amplifies traditional pedagogical techniques.

Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK)

In the final stage, all elements are combined to create a cohesive learning experience. Students utilize Google Docs to write and edit their paragraphs, receive feedback, and improve their content through Grammarly. They then use Canva to visually present their opinions, connecting writing skills with design principles. The integration of technology supports both the teaching process and the content, helping students develop a deeper understanding of opinion writing while enhancing their digital literacy. This holistic approach fully incorporates technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge.

Summary

In this international faculty second session, we started by summarizing all the tools we discussed in the last meeting. It was really beneficial to review all those concepts. After that, we went deeper into the SAMR model, gaining a more comprehensive understanding of its applications in education. To put our learning into practice, we did a group activity where we selected a specific activity and improved the activity with the integration of technology, guided by the SAMR model.

I chose the phonetics activity where we dubbed a scene from our favorite show or movie. This helped us to think about how technology can transform traditional learning experiences. We discussed how the SAMR model could improve this activity from simple substitution to redefinition, creating deeper engagement and collaboration among students.

Additionally, we had an important discussion about the ethics of artificial intelligence. We shared thoughts on how to use AI responsibly and the role of teachers in guiding students to use these tools ethically. It was an interesting session that not only helped us with practical strategies for our teaching but also emphasized the moral responsibilities we hold in the digital age. Overall, it was a productive and inspiring meeting.

Personal Reflection

I thought that this last session was an excellent conclusion to everything we learned throughout the two meetings. We first had the opportunity to listen to the presentation and engage with the material. After that, we could put our learning into practice by participating in all the activities. I believe that peer collaboration is essential in teaching methodologies and this session reinforced that idea, especially when we had to improve an activity in pairs.

“Magic School” is still my favorite tool for teachers but I am now considering incorporating the SAMR model into my future lessons because it is really helpful for educational experiences. The SAMR model encourages us to rethink how we use technology in our classrooms. It helps us to make the classes more dynamic.

As a closing reflection, I found that everything we reviewed was not only beneficial for our future teaching but also helped us to create a more dynamic learning environment. We know that students engage more in classes that are really interactive and dynamic. Additionally, the tools we saw during the session will take an important place in our future as educators. It motived me to create more engaging and effective learning experiences for my future students.  It was an inspiring session!