Reflection #2 (Friday)

In class on Friday, I really enjoyed learning about the SAMR model. I feel like I can just relate well to the visual aids and understand the concept. I really hope to apply this model for technology in my future classroom and get to a point where technology is so integrated into the environment that the students do not feel that we are necessarily having a specific "tech time". By incorporating more technology and allowing students to communicate across time and space to their peers around the world, I think that we would be achieving the modification level, on a general basis. To reach the redefinition level, I would like to do one collaborative project with students where they worked with students that were outside of our building. I believe that would redefine group work and learning for my students. 

I really enjoyed both days of this class, but I found special appreciation for the Monster Trap youtube video that we watched. Every time the monster trap failed, the child learned something about his set up, and was able to improve it. He celebrated his success, in a big way, but was not discouraged by his failures. He even predicted that he would fail multiple times before he ever succeeded. I took that to heart and feel like it applies to my journey using technology. When I attempt something new on the computer, like using twitter, blogging, or navigating around a website, I may not be successful on the first attempt. Through that I noticed that I am still learning as I struggle. It is not just about the end result, it is the journey, and not getting everything on the first try makes the journey much more interesting!