Final Reflection Post: The End or The Beginning?

Throughout the Instructional Technologies and Material Design (ICT) course, I explored various digital tools, platforms, multimedia resources, focusing on their proper and effective use and how they can enhance language instruction. I completed several tasks using these tools, both individually and collaboratively. Additionally, I created a blog account to document each task, reflect on the process and share feedback on my learning experience.

BEFORE taking this course, my understanding of technology integration in learning was very limited that I was only familiar with typical platforms like Microsoft Word, Canva, and ChatGPT. I had no thorough insight of how to integrate them effectively and properly into my learning or teaching practice. I believed that technology could enhance language learning and teaching. However, I had no clear understanding of how it worked or why it was effective.

AFTER taking the course, I was introduced to various digital platforms and effective AI tools, and gained a clearer understanding of key terms related to technology, and their practical use. I found the course structure, introducing new tools, assigning related tasks, and then giving peer feedback, really impactful. AT FIRST, writing a blog post for each task felt a bit exhausting. However, by the end of the semester, I realized how important it was. It helped me reflect on both my growth, and give a meaningful feedback to my peers while exploring the power of technology. Most importantly, it challenged me to think critically and creatively about how to apply these tools in my future classroom and how they could enhance my teaching practice. This was the most meaningful aspect of the course for me. I didn’t just get introduced to new tools, I finished the course with insightful and practical ideas for how to use them effectively in the future.

THE TASKS felt like a journey filled with both challenges and rewards. My least favorite task was the first task: designing an infographic. The infographic task was difficult, mainly due to a misunderstanding. I thought it needed a zoom-in&out feature and struggled to make it work. Looking back, I realize it wasn’t just the technical difficulties, I was simply unfamiliar with the tools at that time, which made the experience more difficult.

AS TIME PASSED, I adapted, and things gradually became easier. I found the final task which is interacting with a character through an AI chatbot, the most engaging. The platform, MagicSchool (https://www.magicschool.ai), was truly like its name, it felt magical. BELIEVE OR NOT, i was genuinely shocked and confused last year when I first learned that Word documents could be edited by multiple people at the same time, so it is obvious that how amazed I was by MagicSchool!

IN THE END, I really enjoyed the course and gained valuable competencies and ideas. I do not have any suggestions for improvement of this course. While this may be my final reflection post for the course, it might be the beginning of my own blogging journey, who knows?