When I first entered this course, I honestly did not know much about technology. I may still be somewhat "behind" when it comes to completely understanding it, but I can honestly say I have learned A TON!! I was very uncomfortable at the beginning, having all this different technological tools thrown at me at once, but soon enough I began to get the hang of it all. Through this course I have become more comfortable using technology personally, which makes me more comfortable using technology in the classroom. I have understood and learned how important integrating technology into the classroom is, and how much better of a learning experience having the technology in the classroom can occur. I think that using technology in the classroom can make for a more fun experience for both teacher and learner. The teacher can have different and interesting ways to present the information, and the students can all benefit from different teaching styles using the technology in the classroom. It definitely can help make uninterested students more interested in the information.
I think that it is important to know that students do not just use technology to learn. There are different ways that students can use technology to make a difference in the world (and still learn a bit too!). By having students use technology in the classroom in a service learning project, students are able to make a difference in the world, are able to connect with individuals, to build awareness for causes, and to become more informed citizens. Through making this difference in their community, they are also learning how to use technology too, which can help benefit them in their future endeavors. Furthermore, they are still making connections to the subjects that they are being presented in the class, and can see a more real world connection to the information.
Technology also opens the doors in the way of instruction. I knew that, at the beginning of this year, I did not want to be the type of teacher that would just lecture and have students take notes. How boring, and ineffective too! I knew that I wanted to be an interesting and fun teacher, with cool facts and activities. Well, by using technology, students are opened up to a whole new world of information, that I can help guide them to (and that is not just from the horse's mouth... AKA me). Students have access to a variety of different information. They can access podcasts from different professors of various universities, can see actual pictures of primary documents online, and can play a geocaching activity to learn about geography. By utilizing technology in the teaching aspect, it takes the learning from a direct instruction, to a more hands on approach by the students.
I also think it is fabulous how involved the students can get with presentations. Before this class, my thoughts of presentations were very minimal-- PowerPoint or a poster board. I was unaware of the myriad of different options when it came to students creating a project or wealth of information. I think it is really cool that students are able to create their own blog or wiki, and voice their opinions or thoughts. I think it is wonderful that students, through a program like garage band, can create their own Podcast as a form of presentation. I also (my own personal favorite, cause, hey, I did do the presentation) love Glogster. I think it is one of the most fun and interactive programs for students. I love how creative one can get with creating a Glog, and I promise I will be using this in the future.
Lastly, I think it is important to note that we are all connected to each other. We have the ability to share information with other teachers, or to take information from other teachers. We can share knowledge, or just general great teaching practices. We can gather from each other cool websites to use in the classroom. By having a myriad of teachers sharing information with each other, it makes the learning experience infinitely better for the teacher, but mostly for the student. Lets face it, getting through to the student is key, and what better way to do in than a fun interactive technological tool!
Technology Concept Map!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Divided we fall...
After my practicum placements, I saw first hand the extent of the digital divide between classrooms at a school. In my first placement, a 7th grade civics/world geography class, my students had somewhat of an access to technology. Their 7th grade team had a lap top cart, that all of the teachers had to share. They also could use the schools "smart board," if they could check it out. This lower level group of students though did not have the access to technology like the students in the higher level classes. Furthermore, using the technology at the school was for some, the only technology they used at all. In my second practicum placement I was in an Advanced Government and AP Government classroom. The filter for the school was so strict, there was not much that the teacher could use online to enrich their curriculum. The only access to computers that the students had was the computer lab, if they could book it. The classroom I was in suffered from not being able to integrate technology into the classroom, because the school just didn't provide an adequate amount of technology for the students.
Before I was in these placements, I truly did not think about the "digital divide" in our country, let alone in our school systems. I was shocked when I saw first hand the lack of technology in the classroom. It was hard to see how some students were not able to expand their understanding of certain concepts and topics because the technology that would allow them to do so was absent. It is very important that students are given an access to technology in the classroom. I am not saying that all students must have the ability to tweet, and make podcasts, and do crazy cool projects on the computer... But it is important for students to be able to search and research online, and to be able to do certain things using technology. Every student across the board should have access at times to a computer and the internet. It is imperative that students learn how to utilize the internet, how to conduct good searches for information, and how to synthesize the information they find on the web. It is important that teachers have the ability to expound on the information from the textbooks with technology, be it clips from a movie, a youtube video, or a glog the teacher created to share with the classroom. Many times the students do not have access to computers at home, so we need to make sure as educators that we grant them the access at school. It is in fact where the learning "takes place."
If the school system that I end up working in does not provide the type of adequate technology that I deem necessary in my classroom, I will for sure take some action to change that. It is important to apply for grants as teachers, for technology in the classroom. We are the "spokesperson" for our students, and we need to make sure that we are doing everything in our power to provide the best source of education for them, which includes integrating technology in the classroom. If the grants do not work, I hope that I can take part in surveys or studies where some sort of "compensation" for my time may be some kind of "technological thing" that I can utilize in my classroom. Furthermore, I know that by rallying the community it is sometimes possible to raise money for certain things for the classroom, and technology could be one of them. Its bad that state funding for teachers is getting cut, but they have increased the spending on technology in the classroom, making the funding specifically for getting teachers up to speed with the technology and actually getting it in the classroom. There are certain other steps teachers can take to get technology in the classroom, posted in this 50+ ways to raise $$$ for technology Furthermore, schools could perhaps get recycled and donated computers to help bridge the digital divide. Many teachers ask for these recycled computers from businesses upgrading.
Many people debate what the actual cause of this digital divide is. Some claim that people "don't want to use technology" only making them fall further behind in this technological world. But that does not touch on the fact that some people don't have the monetary funds to afford technology in their homes. "Education and tax reform move a lot slower than the speed of technology. If they want to help low-income Americans, that's the gap policy-makers should seek to close." Maybe if we focus on this aspect of the digital divide, the actual "digital divide" will not be such an issue!
Before I was in these placements, I truly did not think about the "digital divide" in our country, let alone in our school systems. I was shocked when I saw first hand the lack of technology in the classroom. It was hard to see how some students were not able to expand their understanding of certain concepts and topics because the technology that would allow them to do so was absent. It is very important that students are given an access to technology in the classroom. I am not saying that all students must have the ability to tweet, and make podcasts, and do crazy cool projects on the computer... But it is important for students to be able to search and research online, and to be able to do certain things using technology. Every student across the board should have access at times to a computer and the internet. It is imperative that students learn how to utilize the internet, how to conduct good searches for information, and how to synthesize the information they find on the web. It is important that teachers have the ability to expound on the information from the textbooks with technology, be it clips from a movie, a youtube video, or a glog the teacher created to share with the classroom. Many times the students do not have access to computers at home, so we need to make sure as educators that we grant them the access at school. It is in fact where the learning "takes place."
If the school system that I end up working in does not provide the type of adequate technology that I deem necessary in my classroom, I will for sure take some action to change that. It is important to apply for grants as teachers, for technology in the classroom. We are the "spokesperson" for our students, and we need to make sure that we are doing everything in our power to provide the best source of education for them, which includes integrating technology in the classroom. If the grants do not work, I hope that I can take part in surveys or studies where some sort of "compensation" for my time may be some kind of "technological thing" that I can utilize in my classroom. Furthermore, I know that by rallying the community it is sometimes possible to raise money for certain things for the classroom, and technology could be one of them. Its bad that state funding for teachers is getting cut, but they have increased the spending on technology in the classroom, making the funding specifically for getting teachers up to speed with the technology and actually getting it in the classroom. There are certain other steps teachers can take to get technology in the classroom, posted in this 50+ ways to raise $$$ for technology Furthermore, schools could perhaps get recycled and donated computers to help bridge the digital divide. Many teachers ask for these recycled computers from businesses upgrading.
Many people debate what the actual cause of this digital divide is. Some claim that people "don't want to use technology" only making them fall further behind in this technological world. But that does not touch on the fact that some people don't have the monetary funds to afford technology in their homes. "Education and tax reform move a lot slower than the speed of technology. If they want to help low-income Americans, that's the gap policy-makers should seek to close." Maybe if we focus on this aspect of the digital divide, the actual "digital divide" will not be such an issue!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Teacher Leader
My blog deleted itself! So frustrating... blog 2....
Katzenmeyer and Moller define teacher leaders as those who “lead within and beyond the classroom; identify with and contribute to a community of teacher learners and leaders; influence others toward improved educational practice; and accept responsibility for achieving the outcomes of their leadership.” Being a teacher leader means many things. It is important to be dedicated in your students. It also is important for teacher leaders to not want to move up the job chain. Teachers leaders value the time that they spend with their students, and would not trade that for moving up the administration ladder. Furthermore, teacher leaders are dedicated in and out of the classroom. They are involved with leadership roles outside of the classroom, yet are also leaders inside the classroom, always trying to provoke more understanding and learning from their students. Also, it is important that teacher leaders associate with other teachers, adult colleagues their own age. Also teacher leaders must be able to influence others. Be it students, colleagues, or people in the community, teacher leaders are charismatic and are able to lead others to greatness as well.
Furthermore, being a teacher leader, one needs to be principled, honest, fair, and ethical. They must be respected by their peers, and care about their students. They must be organized. They also must be perceptive, empathetic, and altruistic. They must be sensitive to students needs, be able to assist them, and put the student before themselves. They also should be available to be reached, and full of resources. Moreover, it is important for teacher leaders to be forward thinkers and global. It is important that these teachers are planning for the future, and thinking on a macro level. This teacher must also be decisive and willing to take action when necessary. And moreover, they should be knowledgeable in their content area.
I know I want to be a teacher leader. Throughout my life, I have loved being able to help and lead others. I have always thrived in a leadership role, captain of soccer and volleyball team, taking charge of service projects, and holding office positions in clubs. It is important for teachers to take charge and become these teacher leaders. If more teachers dedicated as much effort and time to the students as some, the education system would be completely different. I strive to have all the qualities a teacher leader has. I know that I want to make a huge difference in students lives, because, hey isn't that part of the reason we went into this profession? I don't want to be the teacher that sits there and allows others to take the reign, or not at all! I want to make sure to help make changes in the system.
By becoming these teacher leaders, how can we get teachers that are not as willing to put in the time and effort to put more of an effort in? Or are these older teachers too comfortable in their ways? Can we help shape them into teacher leaders, or is the effort futile at this point?
www.aassa.com/Leaders.pdf
www.aea8.k12.ia.us/.../Teacher_Leader_Qualities_F1C6A23422538.pdf
Katzenmeyer and Moller define teacher leaders as those who “lead within and beyond the classroom; identify with and contribute to a community of teacher learners and leaders; influence others toward improved educational practice; and accept responsibility for achieving the outcomes of their leadership.” Being a teacher leader means many things. It is important to be dedicated in your students. It also is important for teacher leaders to not want to move up the job chain. Teachers leaders value the time that they spend with their students, and would not trade that for moving up the administration ladder. Furthermore, teacher leaders are dedicated in and out of the classroom. They are involved with leadership roles outside of the classroom, yet are also leaders inside the classroom, always trying to provoke more understanding and learning from their students. Also, it is important that teacher leaders associate with other teachers, adult colleagues their own age. Also teacher leaders must be able to influence others. Be it students, colleagues, or people in the community, teacher leaders are charismatic and are able to lead others to greatness as well.
Furthermore, being a teacher leader, one needs to be principled, honest, fair, and ethical. They must be respected by their peers, and care about their students. They must be organized. They also must be perceptive, empathetic, and altruistic. They must be sensitive to students needs, be able to assist them, and put the student before themselves. They also should be available to be reached, and full of resources. Moreover, it is important for teacher leaders to be forward thinkers and global. It is important that these teachers are planning for the future, and thinking on a macro level. This teacher must also be decisive and willing to take action when necessary. And moreover, they should be knowledgeable in their content area.
I know I want to be a teacher leader. Throughout my life, I have loved being able to help and lead others. I have always thrived in a leadership role, captain of soccer and volleyball team, taking charge of service projects, and holding office positions in clubs. It is important for teachers to take charge and become these teacher leaders. If more teachers dedicated as much effort and time to the students as some, the education system would be completely different. I strive to have all the qualities a teacher leader has. I know that I want to make a huge difference in students lives, because, hey isn't that part of the reason we went into this profession? I don't want to be the teacher that sits there and allows others to take the reign, or not at all! I want to make sure to help make changes in the system.
By becoming these teacher leaders, how can we get teachers that are not as willing to put in the time and effort to put more of an effort in? Or are these older teachers too comfortable in their ways? Can we help shape them into teacher leaders, or is the effort futile at this point?
www.aassa.com/Leaders.pdf
www.aea8.k12.ia.us/.../Teacher_Leader_Qualities_F1C6A23422538.pdf
Monday, November 2, 2009
the networked student
After watching the Cisco video and the Youtube video, I believe I have a better understanding of a networked student. A networked student is one that can utilize all of their technological tools to obtain a better learning experience. The networked student can utilize cell phones, computers, cameras, Ipods, etc. to research, comprehend, examine, and gather information about a topic they are studying. Through these technological tools, they are able to "teach themselves" the information, and take more of a hands on approach to their learning.
It is very important that students understand how to use these technological tools to become a networked student. They must have an understanding of how to complete "good" searches on the internet, and how to find "correct" information. It is important that the student have digital literacy to be able to fully grasp the depths of the networked student. Though, as I have found, practice does make perfect, and the more that the student uses the tools, the better they will become with the technology. So, starting the student off, and letting them experience all that the technology has to offer is another approach.
Networked learning changes the role of the teacher. Instead of being this "sage on the stage" individual, the teacher is guiding the learning. The teacher begs the students to find the information on their own, and is more of a coach than the "all knowing teacher." I think that this is very important. Instead of lecturing and being this "omnipotent" being, the teacher can guide their learning, and have the students engage in teaching themselves through doing. I think that this is a great approach, for too often the students do not become engaged in their own education, and I will most certainly incorporate this style of instruction into my own classroom.
Well, after searching many different blogs of the networked student, many of which are tied to Ms. Drexler! So.. I'll post her blog, which has many great responses to it!
http://teachweb2.blogspot.com/2009/05/networked-student-challenges.html
It is very important that students understand how to use these technological tools to become a networked student. They must have an understanding of how to complete "good" searches on the internet, and how to find "correct" information. It is important that the student have digital literacy to be able to fully grasp the depths of the networked student. Though, as I have found, practice does make perfect, and the more that the student uses the tools, the better they will become with the technology. So, starting the student off, and letting them experience all that the technology has to offer is another approach.
Networked learning changes the role of the teacher. Instead of being this "sage on the stage" individual, the teacher is guiding the learning. The teacher begs the students to find the information on their own, and is more of a coach than the "all knowing teacher." I think that this is very important. Instead of lecturing and being this "omnipotent" being, the teacher can guide their learning, and have the students engage in teaching themselves through doing. I think that this is a great approach, for too often the students do not become engaged in their own education, and I will most certainly incorporate this style of instruction into my own classroom.
Well, after searching many different blogs of the networked student, many of which are tied to Ms. Drexler! So.. I'll post her blog, which has many great responses to it!
http://teachweb2.blogspot.com/2009/05/networked-student-challenges.html
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