As my course is nearing an end, I have been asked to reflect on the following questions:
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In what ways has this course helped you to develop your own technology skills as a professional teacher?Wow! When I started this course I had heard of podcasts and wikis but never tried to or had any reason to explore them on my own. I certainly did not think that I could use any of this technology with my class.
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In what ways have you deepened your knowledge of the teaching and learning process?I have been learning right along with my first graders. Technology is important for adults to use and equally as important for my students to learn to use as well. They are our future.
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In what ways have you changed your perspective from being teacher-centered to learner-centered?I have completely changed my method of teaching where I am talking less (direct teaching) and facilitating more (listening, making suggestions, monitoring progress). My students are a lot more mature now because it is the end of the school year so they are able to handle more. However, it has been great to give them challenges using technology and I have not only been pleasantly amazed by what they could do with technology but how eager they are to learn more.
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In what ways can you continue to expand your knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology with the aim of increasing student achievement?I plan to participate in as many professional learning development sessions as I can that are dealing with technology. I research everything, so I plan to research as much as possible in reference to integrating technology in the classroom. I am eager to learn new ways to implement technology into my lesson plans so I can better prepare my students for this ever growing technological society.
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Set two long-tem goals (within two years) for transforming your classroom environment by which you may have to overcome institutional or systemic obstacles in order to achieve them. How do you plan to accomplish these goals?I teach at a Title 1 school and many of my students do not have access to technology in the home. It is my hope that I can change the way parents feel about technology through the enthusiasm of their children. I can also do this my making my class newsletter online where I feature a student of the week/month. We also have a few students who have loved ones who are deployed overseas. The internet has changed the way we communicate. It would be so wonderful for a parent to participate in a classroom wiki from the other side of the world! Another goal I have set for myself is to access the mobile lab for my students more often. I thought that since I teach first grade and that learning how to read is a huge focus for us, that I could/should wait to integrate technology. Next year I will be teaching Kindergarten for the first time and I plan to use this mobile lab as often as I can from the very first semester of school. By the end of our year I would like my students to be able to work independently using specific programs on the computer.
Earth Science
I found your entry to be highly relatable in regard to my own experiences with use of technology in the classroom and beyond. My students are very enthusiastic about using technology to enhance and enable learning. Unfortunately, many of them do not have equal access at home. I too have been working to direct student enthusiasm toward the acquisition, mastery and utilization of technology as they develop life-long learning skills in our modern world.
Equal Access
The question of equal access to technology is a challenge towards integrating technology for me as well. Sometimes parent's want a workbook or worksheets, but using educational websites would be much more effective. I try to consider ways that I can help learners become more independent in their learning so learning can continue at home. But if they don't have the internet, or even a computer, at home, they cannot continue their use of educational websites at home, unless they go to the library.
The irony is that some of these kids' only chance to learn about technology is at school, but it seems like less powerful learning if they can't transfer that learning to home.
Thank you!
I have really enjoyed your blogs. My heart was so warmed by the idea of military parents emailing their children through you. Talk about strong family-engagement --albeit in different hemispheres. (It funny that now emailing another hemisphere is easier than calling a working or bilingual parent.)
I hope you continue your tech PD with us! And share your researching too...where do you find the time.
Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction and Technology
This eight weeks I will be learning about different ways to make the connection with technology and Learning vs. Instructional Theory.
"Excellence is not an act but a habit. The things you do the most are the things you will do the best" Marva Collins