TPACK Quest

The above is a collection of badges I've obtained throughout this six week course and while each badge appears to only be an image, they reflect much more.  Each image embodies a different skill set I've learned and am able to take with me as I grow and progress as a teacher candidate.  In doing this TPACK quest, it put theory into practice where roles were reversed and this journey has given me insight as the student.  This was first explored with the Gamification badge, which is what this quest is, and in doing so I can now incorporate Gamification into my own lessons.  With this experience, I've gained insight not only as to what Gamification is, but also what it is not.  The same applies for blended learning vs. online learning.  Completing these badges allowed me to enthrall myself into each activity as the student and therefore get more out of each section and more importantly knowing how to effectively implement each.

Through the mobile learning app, I was able to explore a number of resources that can be used at a later date when lesson planning.  All resources have highlighted ways in which, we as teachers, can make learning fun and engaging again for students.  The digital teacher badge also allowed me to explore teacher resources that provide full lesson plans.

All in all, each badge shows how the principles of effective teaching i.e engagement, inclusiveness, collaboration etc.  are all applied through what were learning now, as well as through our daily lives.  As the student, teacher candidates are given the opportunity to analyze what works and how students will react to different resources.

This course has left me with a much higher level of technological knowledge and information on educational resources.  With this I can read section of the Ontario Curriculum and think "I have a great online resource that I could apply this to."  In doing so, this course has taken my teaching instruction a level deeper to reflect more than a surface level application.