Technology and the Future

Looking backwards at the work I have accomplished, I am able to take a glance at where I will be headed in the future. It is in these moments of reflection I can truly see all that I have accomplished, and those that I have plans to do. The learning activity I created uses a simple application of the Ipad, yet I am intrigued at the many other applications in the classroom. With one tool, many things can be done; it is like the Swiss army knife of computing. In thinking about emerging technologies, handheld technologies are the newest tool to be implemented in our district. In the last year, I have focused on their uses in the classroom and their future within our student’s lives. The lesson that I created was a stepping-stone into the next phase of technology use within my school.

Reflecting upon my previous work provides a needed look at what works and what can be improved upon. I find that I do not spend enough time reflecting on lessons, or my own learning. As I look back at all that I have done in the last couple of years with Walden, it seems as if a lifetime of work has happened. I feel as if I have transformed my lessons and classroom environment into one that is more receptive to the use of technology, as well as how students will use that technology.

It is not just about the gadgets. While I still feel a draw to the newest gadget, or tool, it is their use and the applications that may align themselves with that tool that now hold my attention. One adjustment to identifying emerging technologies is to keep an eye on my blog reader. Following several new authors with similar interests allows me to stay connected to the educational technology world. There is many times, that I feel as if I am speaking a different language when I talk to fellow professionals within my district about technology in the classroom. I seem to be the person that others seek out for advice about a new technology, or helpful hints in ways to use existing technology. Opening the walls of my classroom and school to others in different states and countries has helped me to feel as if there are other people like me, wanting to learn more but never having had enough resources. Since the first day of embarking on my adventure with Walden, I began looking for other professionals that could enhance my personal learning network. With an eye on who is included in my blog reader, “it’s critical for our students and teachers to create, nurture, and include varied viewpoints in our PLNs” (Fisch, C., 2008). I no longer feel alone.

Supporting 21st century learners has become a priority within my classroom. As education has changed in the way it is delivered, as well as received, it is becoming more critical to grow with my students. Another adjustment to be made is to continue learning about the technology available as well as what drives my students. Following the trends in technology and finding those that are meaningful and beneficial to my classroom will help me to stay current with what drives my students. I plan to utilize many of the resources I have been introduced to within Walden as well as within my personal learning networks. Using more tools for collaboration and creation will be skills that I plan to develop for my classroom. “[Young people] expect to interact with and have a voice in everything they do” (Lemke, C., Coughlin, E., 2009, p.56) After realizing that the internet is more than a tool for searching but as a way of connecting, I look forward to bringing the world to my students. My students will receive more than just a basic technology experience, but one that is enriched with their questions and interests. I have learned that “technology can make a significant positive impact on the quality of teaching and learning, the level of student motivation and engagement, and the intensity of career preparation” (Gillard, S., Bailey, D., 2007). I have discovered how to find technology that will drive my students to be more engaged in the material, as well as create more learning opportunities. I look forward to learning from the digital citizens sitting in our classrooms.

References
Fisch, K. (2008). My Personal Learning Network. Learning & Leading with Technology, 35(6), 17. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Fullan, M. (2002). The Change Leader. Educational Leadership, 59(8), 16. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Gillard, S., & Bailey, D. (2007). Technology in the Classroom: Overcoming Obstacles, Reaping Rewards. International Journal of Learning, 14(1), 87-93. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Lemke, C., Coughlin, E., (2009) The Change Agents: Technology is empowering 21st century students in four key ways. Educational Leadership. California.

GAME Plan

   In reviewing the standards addressed in the National Education Standards for Teacher (NETS-T) I am finding that there are many standards that I am currently working on, and many more that I am unsure of and how to effectively apply them. One of the standards that I would like to work on is focused on students collaborating to share their learning. The importance of learning to work together and how to seek others that can contribute on problems is becoming emphasized in the future workplace for students, as well as an important skill for educators in the changing educational climate. Another standard that I would like to focus on is teaching digital etiquette and how to use social medias thoughtfully and safely. I believe that my third grade students will be using social medias in ways that the creators never predicted. I am becoming more concerned for student’s online safety as the access to private information continues to be more accessible. To work on my goals, I have developed a GAME plan utilized from Katherine Cennamo, John Ross, and Peggy Ertmer (2009).

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.

Teachers: promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes.

Goal--To use technology tools to further enhance my students’ collaboration and sharing of their learning. To utilize blogs, wikis, and other collaborative tools to demonstrate their process of exploration and develop more meaningful learning opportunities.

Action--Using blogs, wikis, and other collaborative tools will allow for more communication among student’s peers, as well as professional resources. By using blogs, wikis, and other collaborative tools I hope to provide multiple opportunities for students to respond in multiple ways to further encourage their learning.   Students will be able to respond to essay questions, explore different visuals, as well as communicate and work collaboratively with other students on projects.

Monitor--To monitor or supervise student’s efforts in the process, I will continually evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of the students and their material. Collaborative activities provide for “both the processes and the products of learning.” (Cennamo, K., & Ertmer, P., 2009, p.39).

Evaluate--At the end of the project, or unit I will be able to evaluate student’s progress, as well as the effectiveness of the collaboration tool that was used. By having a log of the changes made within the wiki, and the blog postings and commenting occurring I will be able to identify student learning, and observe their growth within specific content areas.

I have become increasingly concerned about social medias and the influence they have on students. I am also concerned about how students use social medias, and their online safety. My second goal is based on social medias and how to stay safe and appropriate online.

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices.

Teachers:

Promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information.

Goal--To provide a safe environment to communicate respectfully with their peers online. To learn and use other social medias to positively promote appropriate social interactions. I would further my goal to include finding professional communities to foster my own growth, and use the social medias to model appropriate digital etiquette.

Action--By using kerpoof.com and other websites that offer a closed chat room option, my goal is to teach students how to communicate appropriately with each other. Students will have a safe environment to share, be heard, and be safely monitored. I will seek other social medias, as well as other classrooms that provide opportunities for my classroom to interact. I will seek other professional communities to encourage my professional growth and for finding opportunities to work collaboratively.

Monitor--Through observation of the conversations in the chat rooms, I will determine if students are being respectful and being thoughtful of student’s safety. I will provide prompts for students to discuss to guide their conversations. By following the discussions, I can identify whether modifications should be made.

Evaluate--I will use a checklist to identify specific goals that students have mastered. I will also identify goals that I have accomplished and use the social medias and collaborating with other educators as a means to document my professional growth. According to Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer “self-monitoring and self-evaluation are considered essential components of self-directed learning.” (2009, p.11). The evaluation step is important to readjust and reflect on my growth, as well as the effectiveness of my goals.

References:

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/
2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Parental Involvement Voicethread

The latest project for my master's program was to create a voice thread that identified a need, problem, or situation I am confronted with in my classroom or school today.  I have created a voice thread that discusses the issue of parental involvement, and ways for educators and families to work together.

http://voicethread.com/share/1260546/

Educational Technology.....Goals.....Future....

In looking back to the last few months in my master's program I have found many interesting things.  The latest course has really helped me to try new things, and to allow others to help show me new things also.  I may know alot of things about the latest technologies, but there is still lots to learn!  To increase student acievement with technology I am going to utilize the 21st century skills within the classroom.  By having projects that students have to collaborate on, and work together on, students will gain more experience and knowledge of the skills necessary for the future work environment.  Even if we are not using technology, I can still prepare my students for the skills and attitudes necessary for the future.  I am laying the ground work for future teachers to add in the other components that students will need.

One goal I am looking to accomplish in the next couple of years is to have mp3 players for students to listen to reading.  I believe that students need to hear good readers and follow along in their books.  I am writing a proposal in DonorsChoose.org to ask for the materials, as well as from families for the players, books, and supplies to continue having the mp3 players available.  Another goal that I would like to attain is to utilize more web 2.0 tools within the classroom.  By having a class website, wiki, and blogs that students contribute to, students can take more ownership and responsibility for their learning.

I have really enjoyed a class that I was able to try out the technology, but also to hear the pedagogy behind them!

21st Century Skills for Students......Fisherpeople

This week, I listened to Dr. Chris Dede speak in the program "Technology Interfaces" from Laurete Education, Inc.  I was really interested in the idea of how teacher's roles have changed.  The workplace has changed and so must the learning environment that these future employees come from.

In this week’s resources, I was intrigued with the message of teaching students not just a program’s menus and tools to tweak things, but on the rhetoric of those programs. When should students use wikis, blogs, and videoconferences? I see this as being my challenge as a teacher. I am not teaching students the information as much as I am teaching them how to find information to answer their questions, and what is the proper platform to present their information. The 21st century skills for students require them to be more responsible for their learning. Are students ready for this?

In my classroom, I plan to change my role as the answer book, to the informational guide. By using blogs, wikis, and my webpage, I hope to collect valuable resources for students to utilize. Having more opportunities for project based learning and more team oriented assignments, I hope to instill the collaboration and communication skills that are necessary in the future work environment. By creating a classroom that fosters teamwork, communication, and problem solving, I hope to address many of the needs of my 21st century learners.

I am using the courses at Walden to improve my flexibility with technology. I will never know as much as my students do about technology, but we can all learn about it together. These courses are reminding me that it is about trying new things without a teacher’s guide. Thinking like my students, just pushing a button and learning from the mistakes and celebrations of others is extremely valuable learning.

Image from WWF   http://www.panda.org/about_our_earth/teacher_resources/own_goals/overfishing/

Wiki Wiki Wonderful five times fast!!!!

This week a group of online classmates and myself created a wiki.  A whata??  A wiki is an online collaborative site.  We were able to create a site that housed all the wonderful blog resources we have found so far.  I am hoping that our group continues to add to the wiki and really utilizes it as a place to share valuable resources.  Here is our wiki website: technologyandteachersoutofthewoods.pbworks.com/ Try it out!

Our posting for the week was a reflection of the wiki process and how we might use a wiki in the future.  The following is my reflection to the wiki we created.

In creating the wiki this week, there were some high and low moments in the process.  It was frustrating working with a group of such different backgrounds, and needs.  When starting the process I was unsure of how our wiki should develop and to what purpose it would eventually serve.  I find that I need to have lots of clarification about the end result. 

The low points were the frustrations with communication.  I was unsure of the result and so I was frustrated with exactly how to proceed.  My group members were fabulous in communicating all the steps and changing things to help improve our wiki.  It would have helped if we had a chance to get to know each other better before working on a team project.  I tend to be very concerned with people’s feelings, I really did not want to step on any toes, and so I was more hesitant to do too much on the wiki.  I would have liked to know my classmates better so that we were all confident in changing things if needed, recommending different directions, or getting feedback that was helpful.

The high points in creating the wiki, was my group members.   We all did our piece of the project to make it a great resource.  Everyone was able to contribute with his or her talents to improve the wiki.  I also really appreciated the simplicity approach we all seemed to have.

With my students, identifying the final outcome of the project would be the most beneficial.  I like how the wiki shows all the changes each person makes.  Giving students a complete structure and ideas for each step of the way would help my students.  I would also have a rubric to identify the different components necessary and a chance for students to identify each role that they will take in the wiki.  At this time, I do not know if I will use a wiki in the classroom.  It would be more beneficial as a staff resource.  I have used a wiki in collaborating a training that a group of staff members attended.  It was very helpful to have a place to put our information and the different steps we were going to take to implement the information within our building.  It would also be very helpful to have a school wiki where staff could find documents, calendars, and another way to voice opinions about the information at the school.