Below I will answer Doc B questions so I do not miss any part of this self reflection.
- What was the build that you were most proud of?
I would have to say the domino build was the build I was most proud of. At first I was in panic mode and then I found some examples of how to build and code this project which was a big help. However, even with a plan to follow I had to work through several coding problems and I was able to get the lights to change when I pushed the button instead of randomly on their own.
- Go back to your first week's submission with an eye for personal growth. Where were you when you started and where did you end up?
I re-read my original post and I sounded very confident once I got going. However, I was so out of my depth when this class started. I did not even know what part of the code was instructions and what was the actual coding. As I have never been very mechanically inclined opening up that little box with all the wires and alien looking items was also very daunting. Through the 7 weeks of frustration, tears, and celebrations I have learned that I can do anything I set my mind to even if it out of the box for me. I also learned that failure is not really a lost but a way to learn by my mistakes.
- What did you learn you did not know before?
I learned about the basics of coding. To me up until now the computer did what it did in various programs by magic, I guess. I knew that someone had to write the code for everything to work but I thought it was a bunch of zeros and ones. This has been very educational for me.
- How did I come to learn this new knowledge?
I learned this new knowledge by working through this course in a trail and error method of learning by successes and failures.
- What did you learn about yourself?
I learned I can accomplish new skills even as old as I am. I have learned to overcome the loss of a parent and the loss of a 41 year marriage and through it all I have learned I am stronger then I thought and so even though I was anxious about learning coding and building I knew if I put my mind to it I would be okay.
- Look at your words for each week and see how they might read if one of your students turned in that submission.
If I had a student turn in submission similar to mine I would be able to see he/she was experiencing, frustration at times, as well as successfulness as he/she worked through the course work. As an in class teacher I would pull the student aside to see what I could help him/her to transition to the next assignment.
- Where were your challenges and how did they change over the time of the class?
The entire class was a challenge because it was such a new skill set. The foundation of coding and building became less scary but I was challenged to the very end and experienced my first total failure which was defeating to say the least on my last curcuit.
- As you entered the world of maker space what do you see as your next adventure in the world of making?
As an elementary teacher of 20 years I would have to say my next adventure would be to see what aspects of making could be used with elementary age students. Children are less hesitant in learning new technology and they learn at lightening speed. This is the "right now" generation we are raising. They are used to being entertained and having what they want at their fingertips. Technology is like another limb to them, they could not function without it, so I know they would excel in a well equipped maker space that was geared to their age and grade level.
- What is your next step?
Next semester I will be doing my library science practicum and taking another educational technology course getting one step closer to my second master's degree. I would like to be certified as a school librarian as I will have to work for at least another 10years. I love teaching and have my administration degree but feel having my library certification will be a good fit in the future.
