I think I am ready to submit my website for review by my tutor. I have spent the last couple of days thoroughly editing this website so it is at a professional level but what I have found is that no matter how much I 'fix' or change there is always something more I can do. I don't know if that is the perfectionist coming out in me but I always see something else I could improve on or update. So I have come to the conclusion that I am going to keep updating my website throughout my degree especially the 'links, software and website' page as I can always refer back to it for information if need be. We also have access to the units main Wikispacewhere Assignment 3a was presented along with other students presentations. This is going to be so handy to have access to this huge amount of collaborated teaching resources with just a click of a button.

Most of all through this unit, I have really enjoyed learning about all the different technology and software out there and especially the FREE kind. In the past I have felt a little uneasy to play around with programs/software as I thought I might make mistakes and 'stuff it up'! Now with ease I tackle these fears head on and just have a go.

I have really enjoyed learning from Jan Herrington about the meaning of ‘Authentic Learning’ and how we can use it in our classrooms. I had heard the term 'Authentic' before but never really knew the definition or meaning. My understanding of ‘authentic learning’ is ‘learning that uses real-world problems or projects, that allow students to discus and explore these problems in ways that are interesting and relevant to them’. Throughout the semester Jan Herrington has been educating us all about authentic learning and its 9 elements:

1. Authentic context
2. Authentic activity
3. Expert performances
4. Multiple perspectives
5. Collaboration
6. Reflection
7. Articulation
8. Coaching and scaffolding
9. Authentic assessment

Herrington also advised us as upcoming teachers that to create an authentic environment in our classrooms we need to focus on the tasks we are presenting to students. A quote from Jan Herrington (2012) in week 6 was "If appropriate, tasks should be authentic rather than academic." which I thought summed it up really nicely. So as teachers we need to focus on the tasks we are providing our students and let them somewhat be in charge of their own learning and not dictate education to them, rather guide...

I have also enjoyed doing the reading from the unit text ‘Meaningful Learning with Technology’ (Howland, Jonassen, Marra, 2012). Hopefully  I will refer back to this book throughout my journey in university and onto teaching as it has explained how to use different technologies to engage and support student learning in the classroom aswell it gave me advise and understanding of what it is going to be like teaching in a 21st Century Classroom!

Overall I have thoroughly enjoyed the unit and this self taught, learning journey. This unit is extremely practical and left us as students to be in charge of our own learning. I have identified some of my own flaws and weaknesses working in group projects, met some great like minded students and I definitely feel so much more confident when it comes to technology as now I have the attitude of ‘Just have a go!’

Sarah

(Image: http://yourmilktoof.tumblr.com/page/5)