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.

Educational Technology Reflection

In looking back at my teaching career and its evolution, I have made many changes. My teaching philosophy has been refined, and modified. The outlook of expectations that I have for my students has been altered. The ways that technology is included into my lessons has improved. Because of what I have learned in this course, I am more thoughtful in the types of technology that I use, and how it is used, and how I can differentiate for my different learners. Many ideas and resources were shared that I am able to use right away in my classroom. Another accomplishment that I have attained while working on this course is an interview for an instructional technology teacher position within my district. Before my Walden courses, I never thought I could be an ITT (Instructional Technology Teacher) and here I wait for the results of my interview.

    I have always felt that students learn best in a collaborative environment. Working on projects and learning through problem solving has led many of my units. Through this course, I have found more ways to differentiate instruction and create authentic learning opportunities for students. I have developed methods that provide adequate scaffolding to support all my learners. By using rubrics, as well as identifying learner types with surveys I will be more prepared with the types of projects, as well as appropriate groups that can work together.

After learning about the brain research and universal design for learning as described by Dr. David Rose in “Brain Research and Universal Design for Learning”, I was able to apply the UDL practices in my classroom. The connections with UDL and education were clearly identified, and I have modified methods in my class that will better support all students.

In the readings from Carol Ann Tomlinson, I have a better understanding of how assessments can guide instruction. By using rubrics, pre-tests, and post assessments I will identify specific skills that need to be developed, as well as interests on a topic. I have been able to provide more student reflection on assignments to help students learn and grow. By assessing their own learning in activities, students are better prepared to apply their learning.

Some ways that I have recently adjusted my instructional practices are to use google docs for assessments. Students are able to log in and take tests online on a test that I created from what we have learned. I have also created more projects that provide for more differentiation. We just completed a poetry unit and students will create VoiceThreads that will allow students to read and reflect on different pieces of poetry. I have begun using more things that align with UDL concepts such as changing my document camera to reverse the black and white when projecting. This has allowed for students that have visual problems to better see what is being projected. There are still many things that I will be modifying and changing as I learn what works best for me and the unique group of young people that are in my classroom.

Week 8 Reflections and Ruminations

Throughout this course, I learned more about being a student. Many of the things that I require from my students I was faced with during the past eight weeks. With my tumultuous personal life interfering with my learning process. I wish that I had been able to explore each of the things we learned more in depth. Creating a unit plan with a problem-based learning lesson, a collaborative lesson, as well as a digital story was incredibly insightful. Each lesson grew and developed as my understanding of each was finally realized. It was not until I was creating my digital storytelling lesson plan that I could visualize exactly how this unit would flow, and how each part builds upon the previous lesson.

In regards to my GAME plan, I was not as successful. I had set high expectations for my students and myself. During this course, my class had access to the computers six times. During those periods, we discussed digital etiquette and how to respond respectfully online. We accessed Kerpoof.com to create, share, and discuss different items. It was just an introduction to a much bigger lesson. We spent the majority of the time with the laptops working on our keyboarding skills; I realized after speaking with other teachers that because of the requirements later in school my students were not as prepared as possible. I had to spend time having students learn and have a basic understanding of keyboarding skills. They are becoming much more comfortable with a keyboard and where to find each letter, it may not be perfect, but they are still learning proper techniques.

I have been introduced to many different professional learning communities online. I have begun following different educators on Twitter, following different blogs, and accessing websites that will help me to grow and learn as a professional educator. This has been the most valuable for me. I enjoy observing other educators with their successes and failures in our profession to find things that may work or things to avoid in my classroom.

I look forward to continuing to develop my GAME plan and identify more realistic goals for a short-term project, as well as identify a long term GAME plan for the rest of this school year and to prepare for next year. For the time being, I have many new technology tools to use within my classroom. One thing that I am very excited to begin using with the new quarter is www.kidblogs.com. I am looking forward to having students write blogs as a means to respond to their reading, as well as to discuss their own learning processes. Thank you for following along as I try to make sense of an overwhelming amount of information and resources!

Reflection

Reflecting upon my personal theory of learning is like cleaning the lens of my educational focus.  I have learned so many new things, and have had the opportunity to look at the different styles of teaching and learning.  I still feel that my personal learning theory is constructivism and social constructivism.  However, I believe more so now that there are multiple ways that students learn.  As an educator, it is my responsibility to provide learning opportunities that all students can create a connection to.

One modification that I will be making is to create more student centered opportunities.  My goal is to have students construct more of their learning and to not rely on the teacher for all the answers.  As I continue implementing more technology tools in my classroom, I hope to further enhance my student’s 21^st century skills.  By using VoiceThreads, and blogging, students will have more opportunities to share their learning with others.

Allowing students to use more technology to create their own learning is one of my long-term goals.  I am more aware of the technology tools in my classroom and how they are used, and I am finding new ways of using them so that students are using them.  I am moving away from just demonstrating and presenting with technology to having students create and present with the technology.  Another of my long-term goals is to continue to explore worthy instructional tools that are accessible to students.  By finding web2.0 tools that are easily accessible and safe for my students, I hope to show them what else is available.

This class has allowed me to continue to grow and explore tools that I was unaware of, and some that I only had a basic knowledge of.   I have explored the many learning theories, as well as practical ways they are applied in the classroom.  I have also been able to apply some of the technology tools and a modified approach to learning within my own classroom.