Kathy M. Filipiak
Introduction Overview Narratives Exhibits Reflection
 I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Aimee Brissman this semester. Her enthusiasm and attention to detail guaranteed this project's success despite various technological glitches along the way. Because we brought similar skills to the project, we were free to focus our energies on integrating technology into the Reggio project that we began during the fall semester. While my first opportunity to participate in the MITTEN project focused on learning and applying new skills; this semester allowed me an occasion to sharpen and extend those skills, and to apply them in interesting new situations.

Flexibility and creativity are the two words that consistently come to mind while reflecting on our technology integration throughout the semester. While we were fortunate to have access to a computer, scanner, printer, zip drive, and CD- burner; they unfortunately were not all accessible from the same location. Much of our time was spent saving and transferring files from one computer to another and creatively exporting file formats to ensure our ability to make learning visible for our families and children. My hope is for all of these devices to be attached to a single computer to provide more simplicity. On the bright side, this experience forced us to problem-solve and it continuously provided situations that allowed us to reflect on (and be grateful for) the skills and knowledge we brought to this project.

The project has also allowed me to incorporate a new piece of technology that is quickly becoming indispensable. Professionally, my palm pilot has become a time saver as well as a record saver throughout the semester. I've used it to record anecdotal observations in addition to recording children's language and ideas pertaining to project work. Personally, I've begun to depend on the calendar program as well; particularly the alarm option that reminds me of important dates and meetings. I'm anxiously awaiting a new book to be delivered that I hope will provide me with more ideas on integrating this piece of technology into my professional development as well as children's learning.

I have benefited from this project because if has given me the opportunity to focus on the variety of ways that technology is used in my classroom everyday, and has provided me an opportunity to increase and extend those uses. Looking over my previous semester's reflection has allowed me to realize the additional equipment that is now available for my use. The palm pilot and screen projector have become an integral part of my daily instruction and are integrated into every curriculum area. As my comfort level rose in regards to daily incorporation of technology, so did my willingness to provide children with hands-on opportunities to interact with programs and equipment. Again, reflection allows me to appreciate that what was once a well scripted procedure has now become a daily ritual including details that have become second nature. An example is the ways in which I rely on the PowerPoint program to create children's portfolios. A program that I once reserved for important presentations is now relied upon as a record keeping and assessment tool that can be shared with families at the end of the school year.

 Creativity is the only limit to incorporating technology in an early childhood classroom.  I am looking forward to learning alongside the children and to conceiving new ways that allow this integration to enhance their hands-on experiences and knowledge construction.

 

  
Questions or Comments: kathfili@umd.umich.edu

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