I think the biggest thing that I have learned in this course is patience. I have done  assignments with the tools provided for every single assignment previously in my computer science classes, so they were very easy for me, but my girlfriend needed a lot of help. I had to be patient in helping her through the various assignments to make sure that she understood them and could ultimately complete them herself.

I don’t think my confidence level has changed much because it was already so high as a result of this class. I have already used and completed tasks with all of the various tools provided in these assignments. I also have not really shifted my view on computer science education, except that I now know how to keep it accessible to students with disabilities and know how to make sure my English learners understand how to use the technology, too.

I think the most critical issues about computer science education, educational technology, and instructional design all relate to student learning and perception. It is easy for educators to assume students already know how to use technology since they grew up with it, but the skills should still be taught. Additionally, students need access to technology, solved by schools providing laptops. Finally, student distractions in the classroom can contribute to technology misuse.

I preferred the interactive assignments to the written assignments. I am a math major, and don’t like writing papers. I also didn’t find the written reflection helpful. The discussion posts were alright, though. I liked hearing from my peers. The written assignments like this one are the most challenging. I did not find a project difficult to complete, but scratch was the most time consuming. I didn’t have a new technology skill to reflect on, since I have previously completed all of these tasks. I have already incorporated many of these applications into my classroom assignments and plan to continue to do so, especially using Desmos as I have previously reflected.

I appreciated that we were expected to incorporate student diversity into our assignments and classrooms, since my students come from diverse backgrounds very different from my own. I also had to shift a little bit from just being a technology professional into being a professional technology teacher. I found it valuable to incorporate technology into my teaching practices before this course and still do after this course. I especially try to be a community-builder in my classroom.

I am definitely a competent teacher with advanced technology skills and I define my identity as such in regards to the technology-based learning community that I have in my classroom. I think compared to my peers I am one of the more advanced teachers in regards to technology usage and pride myself on being a knowledgeable resource for the ones struggling through this course. I know this community has a range of experiences, so it feels good to help the others in the class. I also enjoy helping my students tackle technology challenges. Learning occurs through the productive struggle that my students face as they master technological skills. Incorporating technology into assignments and the classroom forces them to obtain technology fluency and use computational thinking.

I think the most growth I have had during this course related to me helping my peers and my students gain technology skills. I adapt to change well in general and didn’t find much need to adapt to the demands of this class, since it covered skills that I already had. However, I remain open to advice and encouragement like that that I received from the discussion posts throughout the course. I think I will definitely be able to help my students succeed in this digital world that we are all a part of.

Overall, I found this course fairly easy, although work-intensive. Since it was skills I already knew, it would have felt like busy work had I not made a point to reach out to my peers and serve as a resource to help them with their assignments when I could. My reflection highlights my journey through CIT 602, emphasizing my learning experiences and insights gained. Key points include learning patience while assisting my girlfriend and peers through assignments, recognizing the importance of helping others understand concepts; my confidence in my skills remained high, and my perspective on computer science education expanded to include accessibility for students with disabilities and English learners; I noted challenges related to student learning and perception, emphasizing the need for educators to teach technology skills and provide access to technology; I shared my assignment preferences, preferring interactive assignments over written ones, especially due to my background as a math major; however, I found value in discussion posts and peer interaction.

I also discussed technology integration, valuing incorporating technology into teaching practices, aiming to be a community-builder in the classroom and identify as a competent teacher with advanced technology skills, willing to help peers and students navigate technological challenges. While the course covered familiar skills, I found growth in helping others develop technology skills and remained open to advice and encouragement. The course was perceived as easy but work-intensive, but I found value in supporting peers and tried to avoid the feeling of busywork for the other assignments. I hold a commitment to learning, teaching, and supporting others in the digital realm, demonstrated in this reflection.