Engaging e-Learning Reflection

             This course was not totally what I expected.  At this point, I cannot fully remember what I expected from the beginning, but as we worked through this course different assignments took me off guard.  Some assignments forced me to seriously reflect on my teaching methods when it comes to incorporating online learning.  I appreciate this immensely because as I stated in many discussion posts my school is going 1:1 with Chromebooks this year.  Literally 4 weeks from now I will be standing in a classroom of 30ish students who all have an electronic device.  After teaching for 15 years, starting a school year off differently than I have ever imagined is a scary endeavor.  

             I do feel like taking this course was very timely for me even if it was not what I expected.  It made me take a hard look at a full unit that I will teach my students this coming year; now with Chromebooks.  I am glad I choose a unit that, in the past, has been a challenge for me to teach because I don't totally love the content, and a challenge for my students to learn because the content (partly my fault) is a little dry and boring.  I could have chosen a unit that is easy and I love, but I know this route was much more beneficial for my teaching. Although this choice didn't create much easy work for me throughout the course, it was definitely the right choice to grow my teaching.  

            I really appreciate the discussion with my peers.  It allowed me to read some great ideas that I can use in my classroom.  It also validated a lot of what I am feeling and thinking regarding online learning and all it entails.  I know an online discussion's value heavily depends on the students enrolled in the course.  I believe, in this case, we were lucky to have dedicated and thoughtful peers and teacher who made these discussion worthwhile.  There is no way, when enrolling in an online course, to know if this will be your experience. 

            In sum, I feel that I got a quality product for my classroom from the work done in this course.  I also gained a lot of good ideas and insights from my peers.  

Introduction

        Hi, my name is Molly Owles and welcome to my blog.  I am a math teacher and Math Department Chairman at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, Illinois.  We are one of three high schools in Indian Prairie School District #204.  When I am teaching I teach Geometry to 9th-11th graders, but the majority of my work day is spent managing a department of close to 20 math teachers.  My job is to support them, learn with them, and encourage them to grow.  I have just completed 15 years of teaching and have been department chairman for 8 of those years.  TIME FLIES!

        I am currently taking graduate level courses that pertain to technology and education. My main motivation to taking these courses is the fact that our high schools are going 1:1 with Chromebooks in the 17-18 school year.  I, personally, am very comfortable using a Chromebook, but putting one in the hands of all my students is above my current comfort level.  Our department worked very hard this past school year to prepare ourselves for this coming August.  We have adopted the philosophy that if it enhances the learning, use it, but that is doesn't have to be used every day in every class.  We have come so far in 1 year (even without being 1:1) that I am very excited to see where next year takes us.  

      My experiences with technology are varied.  Like stated above I am very comfortable with a Chromebook and any Google platform.  I have limited experience with Google Classroom, but that is a goal I have set for myself.  My students and I WILL use Google Classroom next year.  I have tried many of the apps, add-ons, and extentsions out there.  I have a few favorites that I am comfortable with and fill the needs I have for my classroom or department, but I love to hear from other educators!  What are your favorites and why?

     If you are interested feel free to visit; 

• My class website: https://sites.google.com/ipsd.org/mrsowles/home 
• My E-portfolio: https://sites.google.com/ipsd.org/mowleseportfolio/home
• My favorite professional website (for teacher, parents, & students): https://www.youcubed.org