Reflective Wrap-up Post

The Business Education classroom I envision will be designed for the 2st century. It will be intended to foster communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.  Three requirements for success in today business environment.

As described in the CLASSROOM DESIGN Post of April 3, 2017, my classroom will be a student- centered environment and include three very flexible meeting spaces all of which are technology integrated via laptops, tablets, mobile devices, and smart boards. These technologies are available for “classroom purposes only” with the intention of enhancing the learning facilitated by my lesson plans and instruction. My intention is to motivate students to research, put information in their hands, and allow them make discoveries.

My students will be 11^th and 12^th graders that are preparing themselves to be college and career ready. Our Business Education curriculum and courses work will provide students with the opportunity for hands on learning, collaboration, team work and confidence building. My plan is to use technology to expand course offerings, experiences, learning techniques, materials, and tools.

As we have learned in this class, on line learning opportunities and the use of other technologies are increasing educational opportunities, supporting 24/7 learning, increases engagement, and accelerate learning for students. All very good things. However, it must be recognized that potential issues exist that will be problematic if not proactively monitored and corrective action taken. Below I have identified four issues that are of concern to me. They are as follows:

1.)    Use of devices for “non-classroom” purposes – gaming and social media instead of learning

2.)    Using the internet as a crutch versus launching and reinforcing knowledge

3.)    The idea that technology will save education – or treating all educational issues with technology

4.)    Cheating and plagiarism

Business Education courses are intended to make an important contribution to the academic and career preparation for students. I am personally excited about the opportunity technology provides  to enhance classroom instruction, allow students to access information and accelerate their rate of learning.  However, I believe that technology should not be considers a panacea, cure all or band aid. From this course and my independent study, I have concluded that the use of technology must be planned for it to be effective and used to facilitate teaching, not replace it. To ensure the right balance is properly considered by educators, professional development classes such as this one (Education 2220: Educational Technology) should be required for all teaching professionals.