As a technology teacher, I try to keep up to date with all
the latest technology and implementation methods so when I registered for this
class, I didn't think there was much for me to learn. From the beginning, we
were challenged to create our blog and twitter. I stepped out of my comfort
zone and experienced new and exciting ideas on how to implement these web tools
throughout my curriculum. I will admit that Twitter was something that I
avoided because I didn't get the allure of it and I didn't take the time to
learn it. I am glad that we were gently led outside of our scope of comfort so
we can learn new ways to integrate technology. Digital bookmarking is another
example of a web tool that I was not previously familiar with. I loved
interacting with my groupmates on resources that they had, and it was a great
forum to share those ideas. Finally, the wiki was the lesson that was most
intimidating for me. When I first read through the guidelines, I still felt
like I had a lot of questions. As soon as I came up with an idea for a lesson,
things started to fall into place. I realized that students would be able to
edit these pages on a weekly basis and update information on their own. There
is enormous potential for fantastic student work to be done through wikis.
Without this class and these resources, I never would have explored wikis and
how to use them in my classroom effectively.
As educators, we must adapt and change the way we teach
based on the world around us. According to the ISTE teacher standards,
"Teachers should engage in professional growth and leadership."
(ISTE. 2008) By self-reflecting and collaboration with other educators, we
broaden our scope of knowledge. There are several new websites and web tools
that were shared by classmates throughout this course that I will take with me
and use in my classroom next year. Although I am a technology teacher, there
are still some aspects of technology that I find intimidating, and I have
learned that I need to step out of my comfort zone so I can find the best way
to educate my students. This quote from the Grunwald report resonated with me
and one I need to follow. “Make a commitment to learning new technologies
or applications that can genuinely help your own productivity or student
learning.” (Grunwald and Associates. 2010)
There are several tools that we learned in this course that
I will be using next year in my classroom. The first tool I will be
implementing will be blogging. As students are working on their projects, I am
going to have them write in their blog for the last ten minutes of class. I
will have prompts for them based on the day, and they will write reflective
blog posts about their projects. I will also require them to read and respond
to two of their classmate's blog posts. I am looking forward to this because I
will be able to see their thought process throughout their two-week projects. I
also think that students will be excited to read each other's blogs and respond
to them. The tool that I am most excited about using next year is the class
wiki. I have already talked to my principal, and he has agreed to allow me to
teach one class section of Newspaper. This course will be devoted to the
writing and editing of our school newspaper, and in this case, it will be a
digital newsletter. Students will be responsible for researching information
and writing their columns every week, and then students and teachers will
receive the QR code for the newsletter. Students will be working
collaboratively designing the newsletter, honing their creative skills as well
as using problem-solving skills throughout this whole process. Even though this
process is fun, the students will be authentically practicing their
21st-century skills. I can't wait to meet my Newspaper students and introduce
them to this exciting plan.
The first SMART goal I am setting for myself is to complete
my master's degree program by March 2019, so I can enhance my teaching skills
and be a better advocate for my students. Finishing my master's program will
open doors for me, and in turn, will help my students succeed. I also want to
be a good role model for my students and show them that a Hispanic woman can
achieve higher education and beyond.
My second SMART goal is at the start of next school year to
start and implement a new technology integration twitter account for my
colleagues at school. I will post to the twitter account regularly with
technology tips and integration ideas. I think this will be very beneficial to
my colleagues because a lot of them needs a little extra support when it comes
to implementing technology in the classroom.
Based on my courses and current teaching assignment, one
issue I would like to study further is looking at girls and women in technology
and STEM fields. There is currently a big push for girls to explore STEM
fields, but as evidenced in my classes, the ratio is still very skewed towards
male students. I want to find out why our girls are not interested in these
fields or if they are interested, what is keeping them from pursuing it?
In conclusion, this
course has given me the confidence to step outside of my comfort zone and try
new technology implementation tools. I am leaving this course with a greater
knowledge of different technology tools and a collaborative spirit that I
intend to take into my next school year.
“What we need to do is help educators understand that the
function of these tools is to allow them the freedom to spark and keep alive
the flame of learning in the hearts of all of our students” (Laureate
Education, 2015h)
Resources
Laureate
Education (Producer). (2015h). The changing role of the classroom teacher:
Part 1 [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2015i). The changing
role of the classroom teacher: Part 2 [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Technology Proficiencies. (2015). Retrieved June 22, 2018,
fromhttps://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201860_02/1_Standard_Documents/1_Current_Documents/MSED/MSED_RWRCOEL_Technology_Proficiencies.pdf
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).
(2008). Standards for teachers. Retrieved from
http://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards/standards-for-teachers
Grunwald and Associates.
(2010). Educators, technology and 21st Century skills: Dispelling five myths.
Retrieved from http://www.grunwald.com/pdfs/Educators_Technology_21stCentury-Skills_GRUNWALD-WALDEN_Report.pdf
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