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EEND 678 Reflection

This was a very interesting class for me.  I learned many practical tools and designs that I intend to implement into my PE classes.  This class gave me the opportunity to rethink how I design my units and my lessons.  Before this class, I had not thought about using a PBL unit in my classes.  From some of my previous posts, you have heard how I struggle with balancing movement and projects.  However, after going through the USF coursework, I am becoming more and more ready to take a leap of faith and just go for it.  I think it is a great way to get every students involved with my lessons and it targets a different part of the brain when working through a problem.  PBL also gives the student who struggle physically, an opportunity to shine.  I am intrigued at how PBL connects my lessons to real life situations.  I feel that there cold be more ownership taken on the project when students can see how and when they will use the information in their day to day lives.

Throughout this class, I appreciated the different ways that we were able to connect with our peers.  I really enjoyed using FlipGrid to give and receive feedback on our flipped classrooms ideas.  It made the feedback more personal and I was more willing to accept the advice.  I feel that I have grown so much as an educator.  I have been pushed to try new things and to take the failures as they come.  I will continue to grow and utilize what I have learned. The SAMR model will continue to be a staple in my lessons as I progress through this program and beyond.  I hope to be able to use more modification and redefinition rather than substitution.  This course has also allowed me be more creative in my lesson and unit planning.  However, I have also been more aware of how I am using technology and not to use technology for the sake of using technology.  I am, after all a PE teacher and the kids do need their movement time rather than more time in front of a screen.   

Over all, I enjoyed this class and the ways I have been able to expand on my tech knowledge.  I hope to continue to build upon my understanding of PBL and to be able to implement it more throughout the school year.
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Comments

  1. Heidi MorganJuly 24, 2018 at 5:03 AM

    I appreciate your comment about not using tech for tech's sake. It is so very important to take into consideration the nature of the content of your class and use it as appropriate, and not just because. You have shared some very creative and authentic ways to use tech in the pe classroom. It is clear you understand your content area and your students' needs.

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  2. UnknownJuly 24, 2018 at 6:37 AM

    I agree with you on learning about new tech tools. I felt that the collaboration with our classmates opened my eyes to so many different tools that I will be able to implement next year. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

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  3. K. KingJuly 24, 2018 at 6:43 AM

    Valerie-I was in the same boat as you with PBL. However, after exploring and creating an outline and an actual PBL unit, I am a little bit more interested in implementing it in my 5th grade class. Based on your blog post, it seems like you really enjoyed this class and it was meaningful for you. I think classes like this one, where you are creating items that can actually be used with your students, makes class worth it and more motivating. Good luck trying out all of your new tools this school year!

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  4. UnknownJuly 24, 2018 at 12:16 PM

    Valerie,
    I had the same positive experience with the creation of of the PBL. I created a PBL that is topic specific but it can be modified for many other collaborative learning activities within my classroom. I have gained so much from our courses in USF and as you, I am so appreciative of the new digital knowledge and takeaways. Wishing you well as you continue your tech journey!
    Candice

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  5. Katherine PorembaJuly 27, 2018 at 7:16 PM

    I am glad you mentioned the SAMR model because it was very informative but not at all intuitive for me. I even had to look into it more closely when trying to decide where different activities would fall on the continuum. I think it is definitely something to keep in mind when planning lessons like you said!

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