It is Finished...Well, actually it is just beginning!

BOLT 101... This 6 week course has been a number of different things at different times for me.  I have learned new tech skills, new concepts, and new pedagogy.  There have been moments of frustration (tryinig to figure out Canvas prior to Dave's module 6 tutorial videos).  There have been moments of clarity and conviction (Chunking and avoiding cognitive overload).  And, there have been moments already of "Hey, I can do it this way now."  As I think about what has been imprinted the greatest in my mind for me, there are multiple thoughts.

1.  Technology can be great, but it is a tool for teaching.   I must ensure that when using it, I give students' the direction they need so the technology doesn't take away from the content I want them to learn.  Using technology well will enhance their learning.

2.  There are many tools out there.  If I can dream it, I can most likely do it.  I can also most likely do it for free.  Screen-0-matic is probably my favorite tool I learned about.  Being able to talk over what is on my computer screen allows for greater learning opportunities.  Audible feedback over visual imagery is best!

3.  Continue to give students and players insight into my "why" and "how".  I really appreciated Dave's comments to end every module and the "behind the scenes" look as to why and what he was intending to do.  I need to continue to help students/players how to think, study, and process and information.

4. I still am not a big fan of discussion forums personally (as far as writing in them), but I do see the value in them.  I got a lot of out of reading what other people wrote.  I also feel more equipped in leading a discussion.  I will make sure to not ask questions where students are just responding in agreement to the first correct answer.

5. Preparation for class needs to and will include mapping out the course.  I will utilize content mapping for the rest of my career.  That process helped me "cut the fat" and boil the course down to the main learning objectives I want students to learn.

6. Blooms taxonomy is a good thing to use-  It will hold me accountable as an instructor that I am not just hanging out at the lower levels of learning for an entire semester.

7.  I dont teach a course in the fall, so I have a semester to continue to think of learning activity ideas.  This thought process is now funneled through my learning objectives.  I couldnt say that entirely the last time I taught it.

I am excited to see the impact this course will have in my future classes.  My hope is that I can access this class on Canvas in the future as there were many good tools/tutorials that I can pull from.

It is now a week away from football season... so it is time to BOLT!