Module 7: Reflecting and Integrating Technology Standards

 

This course has been a rewarding journey that has helped me grow as an educator who integrates technology into the classroom. One of the most impactful lessons was creating lesson plans using tools like Quizlet, Canva, and Google Classroom. These activities challenged me to think creatively about engaging students and meeting diverse needs. Designing lessons that were interactive and learner-centered felt rewarding. Even more so when paired with peer feedback which helped me refine my ideas, another key takeaway from this course was creating authentic, real-world learning experiences that aligned with content standards while promoting independent learning. I also valued the chance to reflect on ethical technology use and consider how to model responsible practices for students.

The assignment that required us to create an infographic about ethical technology use was particularly impactful. It made me think deeply about promoting responsible tech use for both students and educators while giving me creative freedom to express and show what I had learned in whatever format I found appealing. I also learned how professional learning networks can support growth by providing resources, ideas, and collaboration opportunities. The discussions and feedback throughout the course showed me how much technology can help educators connect and improve their teaching practices just by listening to other colleagues' feedback. 

Throughout the course, I was able to learn how to apply several ISTE Standards for Educators. As a Learner, I gained new ideas from professional learning networks and used them to improve my teaching. As a Leader, creating the infographic helped me promote responsible technology use. I embraced being a Designer by making lesson plans with tools like Google Classroom that focused on student needs and used technology to make learning engaging. Lastly, as a Facilitator, I used collaborative tools to get students involved and make learning more interactive and meaningful by integrating Quizlet.

As someone who aspires to pursue a career in sports marketing, this course has helped me enhance my career prospects by strengthening my understanding of how to use technology to communicate effectively and creatively. Developing lesson plans and using tools like infographics has taught me how to present complex ideas in engaging ways while being able to let my creative side step in. Creating original real-world learning experiences gives me an idea of the process of designing campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences that I will need to do later in my career. The focus on collaboration and feedback has also been valuable due to teamwork and adaptability being key components of the sports marketing field.

In the future, I have several goals for professional growth that I would like to accomplish. I want to explore emerging technologies like virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) to create even more immersive and personalized experiences whether that be in education or marketing. I’m also very interested in developing better assessments and data returns using technology to provide real-time feedback. Teaching students about digital citizenship is another priority because they must understand how to use technology responsibly and effectively before they enter the workforce.

This course has shown me the power of meaningful technology integration in education and the many ways it can be shaped and constructed to further one's education within a classroom. I plan to continue experimenting with new tools and strategies to help me stay connected with professional learning networks to share and gain insights. The mix of creativity, responsibility, and innovation I’ve gained has boosted my confidence in using technology to improve both my teaching and marketing skills and techniques. I’m excited to keep learning and growing, using technology to create engaging, meaningful, and ethical experiences in education and sports marketing in the future.