How has your thinking about that question changed or evolved since your first post?

I don’t really think my thinking has changed, I came into this class pretty open to the idea of using technology in my future courses. I had already been brainstorming about how I would go about teaching my online course this summer and it was pretty evident that if I wanted to teach it well, I would have to get even more familiar with technology. I do, however, think that this course got me thinking more critically about how I will use technology and which tools will be the most appropriate for what I am trying to accomplish. Prior to this course, I would get excited about a new technology and start brainstorming how I could implement it without taking a moment to investigate comparable tools or even if its actually beneficial. This course has helped me see that there are many different routes to choose from after saying “Yes” to technology, but its important to really evaluate those different options while keeping both your students’ learning and your sanity in mind.

I’ve also been introduced to multiple resources that I envision using for years to come. For instance, Netvibes has come pretty close to scratching an itch I’ve had ever since Google Reader closed up shop. I’ve also started to value curating tools much more than I had before. That could in part be due to the added pressure of teaching my own course but I think it’s also a result of dissecting these tools and discussing potential applications with my classmates.

I still plan on using bright and flashy technology to excite my students about science (3D printed vessels, The Skin Gun, mind controlled helicopters, etc.) but I think I have a much better handle on how I will use technology to help my students “create”. I’ve also got a much more realistic yet expansive view on how I can use technology to assess students in various classroom settings.