ETEC 500- Research Proposal
My research proposal was the most significant assignment that I completed in ETEC 500. The topic of my research proposal was the use of the Khan Academy online learning environment as a teaching tool in order to examine the implications of the use of this program as a supplemental tool in the math classroom. I was particularly interested in determining what impact if any, the use of this tool would have on student engagement and academic achievement in the area of math.
My Thoughts Going into the Project
By far, ETEC 500 was the course in this program that I was the most anxious about. Having been out of school for fourteen years upon my return to university and having little experience in the area of research beyond that required to complete thesis papers in my prior schooling, I was apprehensive about having to create a research proposal. Throughout this course I was pushed out of my comfort zone by the course expectations and assignments and although the learning curve was very steep, the growth that I made as a result of this course was quite substantial.
Personal Reflection
I am selecting this artifact as it marked a pivotal learning moment for me. It gave me the knowledge, the confidence and the motivation to embark on the first of a number of significant changes to my classroom practice. Although I did not actually carry out my research plans, I used the information that I learned through this project and my other course work to redesign my math program to include the regular incorporation of technology to supplement my existing numeracy program and allow me to differentiate my instruction and consequently, better meet the needs of my students.
Through my research, I began to see that my goals and hopes for differentiating my instruction had both worth and merit. My research exposed me to the pros and cons of the use of programs like the Khan Academy in the classroom. I was able to take note of the successes and the potential pitfalls of this type of endeavour in order to prepare myself for the actual implementation of this blended learning approach in my classroom. In addition to this, I was also able to demonstrate the value of the use of technology in the classroom to better meet the students’ individual needs to both my administration and my students’ parents. I was able to justify the instructional choices that I was making with the research findings that I discovered throughout this process. This particular project has also promoted further change and growth, as I am now working to implement technological supplements in virtually all academic subject areas with the aid of technology and I regularly incorporate a number of online tools and educational technology in the classroom to enhance my students’ learning opportunities.
My Thoughts Going into the Project
By far, ETEC 500 was the course in this program that I was the most anxious about. Having been out of school for fourteen years upon my return to university and having little experience in the area of research beyond that required to complete thesis papers in my prior schooling, I was apprehensive about having to create a research proposal. Throughout this course I was pushed out of my comfort zone by the course expectations and assignments and although the learning curve was very steep, the growth that I made as a result of this course was quite substantial.
Personal Reflection
I am selecting this artifact as it marked a pivotal learning moment for me. It gave me the knowledge, the confidence and the motivation to embark on the first of a number of significant changes to my classroom practice. Although I did not actually carry out my research plans, I used the information that I learned through this project and my other course work to redesign my math program to include the regular incorporation of technology to supplement my existing numeracy program and allow me to differentiate my instruction and consequently, better meet the needs of my students.
Through my research, I began to see that my goals and hopes for differentiating my instruction had both worth and merit. My research exposed me to the pros and cons of the use of programs like the Khan Academy in the classroom. I was able to take note of the successes and the potential pitfalls of this type of endeavour in order to prepare myself for the actual implementation of this blended learning approach in my classroom. In addition to this, I was also able to demonstrate the value of the use of technology in the classroom to better meet the students’ individual needs to both my administration and my students’ parents. I was able to justify the instructional choices that I was making with the research findings that I discovered throughout this process. This particular project has also promoted further change and growth, as I am now working to implement technological supplements in virtually all academic subject areas with the aid of technology and I regularly incorporate a number of online tools and educational technology in the classroom to enhance my students’ learning opportunities.
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