Personal Learning Reflection

It has been a long time since I have been in a transformative class.  I can firmly state that this class have been challenging and transformative.  I begin this class with a certain level of zeal and an understanding that I was moving into an area that was fairly unfamiliar to me.  I approached the class from the perspective that I would not be perfect in every task that I was charged with approaching.  However, I knew I would try my best to accomplish every task with a keen eye on learning.  The perspective allowed me to create a space for learning on a continuum. 

 Early in the course, I sat goals to increase my learning capacity of using technology in the classroom.  The one thing that I do not do in any learning environment is to link my learning to the grade.  I view learning as a process that continues beyond the course. Therefore, the grade for me is a snapshot in time and does illustrate my true learning because that goes beyond the class.  This perspective holds true for this class.  The past few weeks has been rewarding as I have been introduced to technology that I never would have imagined that I would use.  However, I have found myself wanting to learn more and trying to figure out ways to share this learning with my students and colleagues.  For me, this is progress.  However, I am most pleased that I have begun to find ways to institutionalize some of my learning into my courses.  I am so excited by the opportunity to revamp my course curriculum.  I have begun to map out ways to integrate aspects of technology that I learned from this course to make learning French more engaging and fun with a strong and inclusive technological foundation.

 This course has taught me to be patient with my own learning and that of my students.  Using some of the models from this course, I have begun to redesign my course syllabi for next year using my current course as a pilot.  I am looking forward to continue my learning and I am committed to sharing this with my students and colleagues.

Learning Style

I have always enjoyed learning.  I am open to learning new ways of doing things and sharing what I have learned.  I am not a hands on learner.  I prefer to have lectures and discussions as a part of my learning.  This gives me an opportunity to hear and think about what is being taught.  The discussion aspect of learning gives me an opportunity to share my thoughts and understanding of the work with others.  I also like to debate.  Having an opportunity to discuss/debate with my peers is always a welcome space for learning.

Another aspect of my learning style is having some alone time.  I spend a lot of time reflecting.  I find it very helpful and rewarding to have the time to reflect on things that I have read, heard and shared.  This allows me to make a deeper connection to the work and to utilize it fairly quickly and in a useful way.  I am a very critical and analytical thinker.  The traits that I have noted fit well with my ability to think critically and to view points of view from a very analytical perspective.  Understanding my style of learning has allowed me to engage into various learning environments.

Creative Commons


Original Image: "Bali --Cultural Dance Performances"
www.flickr.com/photos/adforce1/2690024669/
By: William Cho
Released under an Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike License
http://www.flickr.com/x/t/0097009/photos/adforce1/2690024669/

I chose this photo because it highlights an aspect of the Balian culture.  As I have mentioned in the past, I enjoy traveling and learning about other cultures.  I use pictures like this in my French classes at Holt High School.    While teaching French (or any language), I think it is important to teach culture as well.  Pictures like this helps to illustrate the culture behind the language.  One way that I bring this into my classroom is by illustrating Francophone life.  Most students come to French classes only thinking about France.  Through literature, photos, music and dance, I can show them the diversity of French language (diversity of dialects) and culture.  In fact, I give an assignment where they are responsible for teaching their peers about Francophone country that shows the similarities and difference of life in France.  Students are often amazed by the various nations where French is spoken and the diversity of the culture that is often highlighted in music, dance and food.  They are allowed to be creative with their illustrations.  Of course, pictures speak volumes to their learning and growth.

I have an account with flickr

I uploaded a picture of a Canadian Garden at a Bed and Breakfast and licensed it with Creative Commons



Original Image: "Canadian Garden"
http://www.flickr.com/x/t/0090009/photos/77090794@N08/6906870597/
By: Agbeko Agbenyiga
Released under an Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/




Agbeko's RSS Feed Reflection & igoogle shot

RSS Reader Reflection

Agbéko Agbényiga

CEP 810

            Like a lot of the information in this class, the RSS feeder was a new experience.  I have seen the orange icon on numerous sites but I have never taken the time to understand its purpose.  This course has given me the opportunity to learn its purpose and try out its use. 

            The most inspirational aspect for me was learning to search for links with this feature that were of interest to me.  I found this to be a real good way to organize information that I would like to go back to often without having to do a new search.  The most exciting aspect for me is the fact that I could find information that is useful for my own professional development.  This assignment has allowed me to see what others in my specialized area are doing with respect to students learning French.  I have learned about classroom activities and techniques that I have not thought to use in the various manners that they have been describe.  Furthermore, my RSS feeders that are connected to literature features at universities have been great.  Through these feeders, I am now able to keep up with some readings that I have not followed since completing my MA.  To some extent, this has rejuvenated my learning and that of my students as I share my new knowledge.  I have found that the literature link is very useful for my French 4 and AP French students.  Since starting the AP program, I have struggled with finding rigor to prepare these advanced students that usually includes the reading of various types of French novels.  Over the past few weeks, I have found a resource online that has caused me to reshape the course  to include some literary pieces that I had not thought to add in a meaningful and supportive way.

            The other feeds that were given as a part of the class have also been helpful.  It is interesting to see how individuals use the educational feeders to keep each other up-to-date and in my view, pushes us to be innovative in our teaching and learning.

            I would be the first to admit that I am not perfect with respect to RSS feeders.  I am trying to learn more each day.  I do not expect to be an expert by the end of the course.  However, I believe that by the end of the course, I will be more comfortable with exploring and using all of the technology that I am being introduced to as a part of the class.  I have learned to describe myself as a work in progress with respect to engaging and including technology into the classroom. 

Setting up Search Preferences
I did not know that you can filter language and pictures in google.  This is very helpful for parents.  My daughter uses google to search her Disney music and artist. At times, she ends up with information that is not appropriate. I went in tonight an set up the strict filtering.  I also change the number of results per page as well.

Customizing Buttons
I did not know that you can add buttons to your toolbar using this process.  I also liked being able to show text labels and the fact that you can re-order the buttons for better use.

Windows Clean Up
It was interesting to learn who to do this as a way to clean up files.  I was surprise by the number of versions and how fast the clean up works.

I am very new to the social networking domain.  I do think that this will increase my connections with people that I can not see and speak with everything.  I find this to be true for people I have not heard from in years.  My High School has a forum where I have been able to find old classmates and friends.  This has given me the opportunity to reconnect and get to know what they are doing.  I also see this as a way to share resources and knowledge.  It is also a way to keep our family connected.  We do not have family in the area.  However, we are able to give and receive updates.  As for my prorfessional life, I think this is a good way to communicate with my colleagues and share teaching methodology/practices in a timely manner.

I do like Google Docs for sharing information across a group of people. I have also found DropBox to be a good tool as well.

Web vs. Web Page Blog Post--
Over the past few weeks, I have become a little more connected to Blogs. It is great to see the real time connection that you can have with individuals and groups globally. Also, I like that you can get a response to clarify or to further engage in a dialogue. Of course, the aforemetioned aspects are a little different with a regular web pages. Information is not as frequent. I do find a use for both in my personal and professional life

I am learning a lot about technology in the classroom from the course.  Do you have any specific tools for technology use with students learning French?

Hello and welcome to my blog.  Please enjoy and send questions and suggestions.