*In what ways has this course helped you to develop your own technology skills as a professional teacher?
This course, EDUC10I-1, has helped me develop my thinking by spurring my creative thought processes in relationship to implementing technology within the classroom. With the help of my instructor and peers, I was challenged to think beyond the stereotypical descriptions of what a classroom should or should not look like. For instance, in one of my application papers, I accepted at face values the claims of the Partnership for the 21st century organization. After the questions proposed by my professor, I searched the internet for additional information, positive or negative, regarding the organization to see if it truly had the best interests of the students in mind, or itself. Another time was when I read a colleague’s posting about using technology to address the individual learning styles. Because the theory of learning styles is highly touted, once again I just assumed it was true. I am not saying it is or is not, but after my professor posed some questions regarding the validity of the assumption, I set forth to research and decide for myself what I believed to be true. Overall, this component of the reflection piece has been the most powerful one for personal growth. I have always pushed for my students to stay abreast of current events and check sources, but I failed to see myself as not doing the same in all areas of education, until this course.
*In what ways have you deepened your knowledge of the teaching and learning process?
By reading the course material, viewing discussion posts, reflecting on comments, and more, my knowledge of the teaching and learning process has grown. Throughout this course, a heavy emphasis has been placed on what students are going to need to be successful in the 21st century world. I have gained more insight into what the educator’s role needs to be like to facilitate the growth necessary to prepare students for the future.
*In what ways have you changed your perspective from being teacher-centered to learner- centered?
I have always been an advocate of collaborative learning which is important in a learner centered environment. If I have changed at all, it is in the continual awareness of taking objectives for student achievement and seeking areas in which I can play the part of facilitator and support versus direct teacher instruction.
*In what ways can you continue to expand your knowledge of learning, teaching, and learning with technology with the aim of increasing student achievement?
Without a doubt, as shared in the first response, I need to challenge the thinking and views in the area of education. I must stay current by continuing to view relative information such as that coming to me through my RSS feed. I need to actively communicate in discussions with those using technology and its relationship to student learning. Those individuals can range from my current Integration Technology Specialist to another teacher to an individual participating in a blog.
*Set two long-term 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 have two long-term goals I have chosen to plan for and accomplish in order to transform my classroom environment. The first goal is to be an active implementer in the use and implementation of the district’s new learning management system. This program has been said to be capable of acting as a wiki, blog, instant messenger, web page, and more. This upcoming school year will be the first time it will be unveiled. The director of technology for the district told me that he would be pleased to see someone at my school a part of encouraging other educators to use the system and many of its potential capabilities. My second goal will be in the area of Language Arts and its relationship to technology. I will seek to take the writing component of my instruction and direct the student writing process toward a global audience so that my students will strive for quality work and see the connection between their work and the impact they can create. This will be accomplished by involving them in topics of discussion via tools like blogging. Also, I will use the web to publish their work, and stay current with other ways to write using software and publishing tools.
*Refer to your checklist from Week 1. Have any of your answers changed after completing this course?
After completing this course, I have an increased desire and commitment to integrate technological tools to achieve learning goals that will equip my students with the necessary skills for participation in the 21st century. I will take the action steps necessary by constantly evaluating what I’m doing and how I can change it to make it better suited for the desired outcomes. I will actively use all the technological resources that my school has available.
*In what ways has this course helped you to develop your own technology skills as a professional teacher?
ReplyDeleteThis course, EDUC10I-1, has helped me develop my thinking by spurring my creative thought processes in relationship to implementing technology within the classroom. With the help of my instructor and peers, I was challenged to think beyond the stereotypical descriptions of what a classroom should or should not look like. For instance, in one of my application papers, I accepted at face values the claims of the Partnership for the 21st century organization. After the questions proposed by my professor, I searched the internet for additional information, positive or negative, regarding the organization to see if it truly had the best interests of the students in mind, or itself. Another time was when I read a colleague’s posting about using technology to address the individual learning styles. Because the theory of learning styles is highly touted, once again I just assumed it was true. I am not saying it is or is not, but after my professor posed some questions regarding the validity of the assumption, I set forth to research and decide for myself what I believed to be true. Overall, this component of the reflection piece has been the most powerful one for personal growth. I have always pushed for my students to stay abreast of current events and check sources, but I failed to see myself as not doing the same in all areas of education, until this course.
*In what ways have you deepened your knowledge of the teaching and learning process?
By reading the course material, viewing discussion posts, reflecting on comments, and more, my knowledge of the teaching and learning process has grown. Throughout this course, a heavy emphasis has been placed on what students are going to need to be successful in the 21st century world. I have gained more insight into what the educator’s role needs to be like to facilitate the growth necessary to prepare students for the future.
*In what ways have you changed your perspective from being teacher-centered to learner- centered?
I have always been an advocate of collaborative learning which is important in a learner centered environment. If I have changed at all, it is in the continual awareness of taking objectives for student achievement and seeking areas in which I can play the part of facilitator and support versus direct teacher instruction.
*In what ways can you continue to expand your knowledge of learning, teaching, and learning with technology with the aim of increasing student achievement?
Without a doubt, as shared in the first response, I need to challenge the thinking and views in the area of education. I must stay current by continuing to view relative information such as that coming to me through my RSS feed. I need to actively communicate in discussions with those using technology and its relationship to student learning. Those individuals can range from my current Integration Technology Specialist to another teacher to an individual participating in a blog.
*Set two long-term 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?
ReplyDeleteI have two long-term goals I have chosen to plan for and accomplish in order to transform my classroom environment. The first goal is to be an active implementer in the use and implementation of the district’s new learning management system. This program has been said to be capable of acting as a wiki, blog, instant messenger, web page, and more. This upcoming school year will be the first time it will be unveiled. The director of technology for the district told me that he would be pleased to see someone at my school a part of encouraging other educators to use the system and many of its potential capabilities.
My second goal will be in the area of Language Arts and its relationship to technology. I will seek to take the writing component of my instruction and direct the student writing process toward a global audience so that my students will strive for quality work and see the connection between their work and the impact they can create. This will be accomplished by involving them in topics of discussion via tools like blogging. Also, I will use the web to publish their work, and stay current with other ways to write using software and publishing tools.
*Refer to your checklist from Week 1. Have any of your answers changed after completing this course?
After completing this course, I have an increased desire and commitment to integrate technological tools to achieve learning goals that will equip my students with the necessary skills for participation in the 21st century. I will take the action steps necessary by constantly evaluating what I’m doing and how I can change it to make it better suited for the desired outcomes. I will actively use all the technological resources that my school has available.