It’s just the beginning….a reflection….

Wow, I can’t believe how fast eight weeks can go! This was one of the classes I was looking most forward to taking, but by far has been the most challenging. For me, I think it has been so challenging but it made me realize that I am even less tech savvy than I thought I was! I was so proud of myself for having a class website, and for creating virtual webquests- little did I know what else was out there- and how little I knew!!

So, it’s just the beginning for me on this journey of technology in the classroom. I thought I was aware of what was the “new” technology being used. This class made me realize I was wrong! Specifically, I thought blog were websites, and I had no idea what a wiki was- I honestly thought it was a picture! As a professional teacher, I learned how to access technology to make it work for me, and to streamline my learning. At first, it seemed like I was making more work for myself, but then I learned how to use the RSS feeds to access the technology sites I used most, and I also learned how to link myself to others in the class. Aside from using some of my new skills to develop activities for my students, first and foremost, I will be able to use my new technology skills to develop myself as a learner so that I can be a better educator.

For me, my technology course has really pushed me as a student. It was eye opening because it put me in my student’s shoes for eight weeks. I really learned I have as much to learn as my students. I also realized that I need to push myself as a student so that I can become a better teacher. In the world of technology, there is always something new.

My understanding of the teaching and learning process has changed. The seven 21^st Century Lifelong Skills, were a new group of skills I was unaware of as a teacher. Trilling (2005) help me better understand that collaboration, cooperative, and critical thinking are skills that are essential to the success of my students. To ensure this success, I need to also apply these skills to my teaching practices so that I can model for my students.

As a special educator, my perspective of my classroom has been teacher centered. Initially, my curriculum is developed around my students Individualized Education Plans, but the actual teaching I do tends to be teacher centered. I teach, the students listen. I model, the students perform. I learned a lot from the concepts Thornburg (2008) introduced regarding the new set of skills students will need in today’s workplace. Thornburg’s (2008) explanation of how today’s business problems focus on solving problems as a team was an “AHA” moment for me. I realized that my teacher-centered model needs to go out the window, and I need to start focusing on a student-centered approach. My students need to learn how to work in groups, how to share ideas, and most importantly learn how to identify their strengths and use those strengths to relay information to their team members. Dede (2008) also supports the importance of collaboration and using teamwork in the classroom. Teamwork will allow my students to be the ‘captains’ of their learning by figuring out the problems they need to solve, and then working as a team to find the answers.

In order to be the best teacher I can be, I need to continue to expand my knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology. I can do this in two ways. First, I need to grow as a student. I need to keep up with new and current practices, and find a way to implement them into my teaching. The second way I can expand my knowledge in these areas is by focusing on the seven 21^st Century Lifelong Skills described by Trilling (2005). Specifically, I need to focus on collaboration. With today’s technology collaboration has taken on a whole new meaning. Not only can I collaborate with those in my building, but through technology I’ve met people through this class, but also through different educational blogs I’ve found on the web. By collaborating with other teachers, I can find new ways to teach, and work with others to develop ideas that I have myself.

Two goals I am setting for myself is to continue to develop my blog, and to find a way to integrate computers into my classroom. Practice makes perfect. I need to practice what I preach by implementing what I model for my students. By continuing with my blog, I will be reaching out to other educators. This will help me grow as a teacher through collaboration. It’s very easy to start things and not finish, or not find time for it. My short-term goal for this blog will be to log on at least once a week. Once I start, I’m hoping it becomes a part of my routine. In order to accomplish my second goal, I need to jump through some systematic obstacles- mainly money. In my school we have school computer labs, but only teacher computers in the classroom. Money for technology has been chosen to be spent on computers that must be shared. The difficulty with this is access to the computers. Although there’s a sign up sheet, classes are restricted to a certain numbers of days a month. Some of the technology pieces I want to integrate into my class require a weekly time commitment. I would love to be able to provide my class with a set of classroom computers so that students could help develop projects and activities week by week and not have computer access act as a restriction.

At the beginning of this course, I thought I knew what I was getting into. I thought I would learn some quick little activities I could use to integrate computers into my classroom so that I could make learning fun. Once I starting developing these skills, and learning more about technology and 21^st Century skills, I realized that Technology is today’s learning- not just something to use to make learning fun. Technology is a skill that my students need to contribute to the society they will be working and living in.

RESOURCES:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008). Dede, D. (Speaker). Technology Interfaces. In “Understanding the impact of technology on education, work, and society.” [Educational Video]. Baltimore: Author.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008). Thornburg, D. (Speaker). Skills for the 21st Century. In “Understanding the impact of technology on education, work, and society.” [Educational Video]. Baltimore: Author.

Trilling, B. (2005). Towards learning societies and the global challenges for learning with ICT. TechForum. Retrieved from http://www.techlearning.com/techlearning/pdf/events/techforum/ny05/Toward_Learning_Societies.pdf

Podcast Example: Using Technology

http://podcastmachine.com/podcasts/2965/episodes/13192/media_files/33224/download/3/file_128kb.mp3

21st Century Skills

In the readings from my class, one of the most interesting points from this week was from Dr. Chris Dede (2007)- he described how students in the past (primarily the 19th and 20th century) were trained and educated to be independent thinkers and workers in preparation for a industrial society. In the 21st Century, most businesses and companies are dealing with much more intricate and involved problems and situations. Looking at the business world in today’s society, group work and cooperation is a daily occurrence. Obviously this brings us to a new goal as a teacher. We have to teach our students how to survive and excel in the world they are living in and the world of work they need to be successful in. These 21st Century Skills are a whole new concept for me. When viewing the website, Partnership for 21st Century Skills, I realized that schools in our country are redeveloping their content to include these necessary skills that Dr. Dede (2007) is talking about. This website is a must for all teachers. As a 10 year teaching veteran I fell uneducated at times, especially when reading all this new information and seeing what is out there. But, that doesn’t stop me from appreciating what I find!!

Specifically, what I found most useful were all of the specific resources available for individuals. Not only did the site have links to different informational sites, there were forums, blogs, and discussion boards. One specific thing that interested me was the section on “21st Century States”. I was thrilled to see that Iowa was included!!! (Yeah!!) I was able to pull up a quick description of why Iowa was included (they use the 21st Century skills as a part of the State’s Core Content and Curriculum). In addition to listing the states and giving a quick description, this site also allowed you to view the work that Iowa was using. I was also able to find some specific resources for the core content standards for my state.

The only thing that I was frustrated with from the site was I couldn’t find much on 21st Century skills and special education. The site provided resources for almost all of the content areas, provided assessment information and links. I couldn’t find anything specifically for special education. After logging on, I was able to discuss with some other teachers on the site, and figure out ways to accommodate for my students, but it was frustrating to have to dig so deep. The reason that the lack of focus on special education surprised me so much was that in my opinion, this is one area that has been on top of things with technology. Teachers of students with special needs have been using a variety of technology devices and resources to adapt content for their students, as a means of communication for our students, and as a way to easily access information. How wonderful would it be to develop a forum for special educators on this site so that we can talk as well. I’ll see what I can do…..

Regardless of my disappointment, the other information on the website was beyond interesting and helpful. Every teacher should access it. I am going to be using some of the things I found in my classroom, and also when I am developing my teaching portfolio.

Enjoy!!

Partnership for 21st Century Skills

http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/

Dede, C. (2007, February). Transforming education for the 21st century:New pedagogies that help all students attain sophisticated learning outcomes. NCSU Friday Institute. Retrieved November 21, 2009, from http://fi.ncsu.edu/index/html

Blogs in Literature

An ongoing struggle in our department has been trying to increase the reading of our students. We are constantly trying to think of ways to expose our students to new literature and to make reading enjoyable. I have to admit year two has been going more smoothly. I have students who honestly enjoy reading, so my next step with these kids is have them expand their reading base. Instead of reading a graphic novel EVERY time, maybe we could throw in a short story here or there. I think I could use a blog in my classroom as a tool my students could use to share and discuss literature. Honestly, this would best be down in combination with a few other classes, so that my students have more people to share with. Ideally, I would love to combine with a school from a different region so that my students would not only be excited to share their books, but to get to know other students. Many of my students are shy and uncomfortable sharing thoughts and ideas. I think using a blog would be a great place for my students to participate in discussions about something we are reading, or something they have independently read. My next unit will be on the story To Kill a Mockingbird, which in past years my students have really enjoyed. In many schools, this is required reading, so it might be easy to find a few teachers I know in other schools who are discussing the same book. Using a blog would enhance this unit because it would provide a non-threatening environment for my students to discuss different parts of the story. Not only could they practice their writing skills, they also could work on editing skills so they are proud of the comments they post. I will use this blog with my 10th grade Literature class. I think I will start it for discussions about our novel. I think having the students each respond to a discussion question of their choices, and then also later in the week take the time to read and comment on another students post. This would not only be a good tool for discussion, but also on peer interaction.

I think the "newness" of using a blog will catch my students interest right away. Down the line I would love for my students to use the blog to share books they are reading, and to get ideas for new books. For now, I'll start small. I'll start with a novel I am familiar with and that has sparked some wonderful conversations in the past. Wish me luck!!

A New Start

I promised myself once I would try and document my 'journey' into the world of technology- but it didn't happen, so...... let's try this again! The one thing I have learned is that practice makes perfect!