As a fifth grade teacher in the 21st century, I am lucky to be exposed in ways I can improve my teaching using technology. In the past eight weeks I have grown not only as an educator but also as a learner. My awareness of technology and my enhanced abilities have increased because of my course. For example, I have learned how to create blogs, wiki pages, podcasts, and above all how to use all of these Web 2.0 tools in the classroom!
Eight weeks ago I used to think that these tools, such as podcasts, were tools that could be helpful but not necessary. However, today I know that tools (podcasts,etc) are necessary and very important when teaching students of the 21st century. This course deepened my knowledge by having me realize that these tools are the secret into reaching our students and helping them succeed in school and in their future work environment. As a teacher, my responsibility is no longer to inform my students, but rather guide them to learn in ways that can help them survive in a society based on technology. I realized that my students are not the same kind of students I was, but rather they are "Digital Natives"(Dr.Thornburg.) Not until this course did I realize what it meant to teach students who are Digital Natives which is to "spark" (Dr.Thornburg) our students in a way that they want to create, search, and evaluate information. As a learner, my knowledge has deepened because I now realize the importance of using discussion boards or blogs to communicate with our educators around the world. To discuss issues and discuss our rapidly changing education within society is crucial because the only way to learn from our mistakes or learn from our ignorance is to ask questions and welcome feedback from other educators. Overall, as a teacher I need to set high expectations for my students but I also have to set high expectations for myself as a learner.
Although I have grown a lot as an educator and a learner, I still , and will always, be able to expand my teaching and learning. I can expand my learning by keeping up-to-date with the latest methods, attend professional developments, and use the internet myself to always join discussions between teachers. In addition, I can further my teaching by allowing my students to gain ownership of their studies by using the skills of the 21st century ( search, create, evaluate,etc.) and making it obvious to them that they have the world at their fingertips through technology.
Being a teacher of the 21st century can be fun and exciting and best of all creative, however, there are obstacles. Obstacles that I face are lack of support with materials and lack of unification. These two obstacles are the reason for my two goals. My first goal is to expose my children to more technology materials by signing up for the laptops daily rather than twice a week and trying to make a trip to our local library every other month to allow the students to get to know the library and the free resources available for them.Although this goal seems short term, it is a long term goal because my main attempt is to make it a familiar routine which will take about a year or two. The second goal is to share with my colleagues what I am learning through this course. My goal is to have the faculty in my school become more unified with technology. Many teachers in my school are either for or against integrating technology and I think if I or the computer teachers had for Professional Developments and create a faculty blog with the help of everyone, that it can become a fun and useful part of our school, with the focus of opening up minds to the world of technology . Hopefully these two goals will not only enhance by teachings and learning but also help the future generations to become lifetime learners with everyone being on the same page :)
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Teach for the 21st Century ... It Is The Way To ACT!
I was surprised to be informed on areas in school such as health becoming a part of our literacy units. It is a great idea! In addition we are going to connect skills such as global awareness into our education system. It is amazing that so many areas in which are so hard to fit into the day, will hopefully be of an importance in our education system. N.C.L.B had us focused on the core subjects without expanding significance of the other areas we need to teach, and now with the 21st Century Framework we will.
Although we will be expanding the awareness of bringing more skills and concepts into the classroom, I do disagree about the expectations we will have from our student's families. How can we expect the families to invest money they may not have to purchase expensive technology ? How can we help students stay up-to-date with society without having to be left behind because of money issues? Perhaps we can have students visit the public library as daily as possible? The 21st century framework means that students will have to take action to stay in touch with technology and teachers have to "give assessments to measure student progress and create goals that align with these 21st century skills ( problem solving , critical thinking.)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Blogs Help Us Learn in 5th Grade
In a 5th grade classroom Blogs are an essential part of the way students learn.
One way is through making Blogs a PORTAL WORD WALL. Students and teachers can share new words, interact on ways to use the word or define new words and to also show progress with students vocabulary through the wonderful world of technology where the sources are endless.
Another way in which Blogs can be used is through Social Studies. In 5th grade Social Studies is a huge focus and instead of having the content revolve around history in text books, students can also stay in touch with World News today. Students can use blogging to read about headlines in the world and share the information/new with their followers (classmates.) In addition, using Blogging in Social Studies can open up student's ideas with the ability to share thoughts and read what others have to say about issues today!
Last but not least, blogs are a great place to post homework assignments. This is a way everyone, even the absentees, will never fall behind.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
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