lessons learned 9/23

Today's class was quite informative. After learning more about creating a trailer for our upcoming WebQuest, I feel much more prepared and motivated to begin putting together my storyboard. The video we viewed on the 5th graders who were charged with creating their own digital movie projects showed me that I should be capable of doing this if they were so skilled in doing it themselves. The things that these kids are capable of today are amazing! I could not believe how well they handled putting together text, audio and video components independently. I'm excited to become proficient in those skills myself so that I too may utilize these kinds of projects in my future classroom.

Blog 1 (chapters 1 & 2)

 

Reflections 

     As I read through chapters 1 and 2, many things resonated with me and caused me to recall some of my past experiences with technology. One passage in particular, which can be found on page 38.

     " Your answers to this question highlight how children and adolescents develop                  literacy with technology in ways very different from those of older adults. Marc              Prensky (2001b) has famously classified these groups as digital natives and digital            immigrants. Younger people (born since 1980) who have grown up using instant and        interactive computer and wireless technologies are digital natives." 

    

      The passage then goes on to discuss the amount of time people in the digital native age group has spent on average on various activities relating to technology as compares with teachers that have not had such experiences. This section awakened a very found memory I have with one of my first experiences with computer technology. I was in Ms. Soulias' kindergarten class, and we had recently gotten a new program for the computer in our classroom that taught us how to use the keyboard and find specific letters by leading an ant to the correct jellybean on the screen. As a curious child, I picked up on the program rather quickly and my teacher chose me to do a demonstration of the use and educational benefit in front of the board of education. My whole family came to watch and I received a certificate of acknowledgement from both my principal and the board of education. 

    My reasoning for mentioning this story is that even back when I was in kindergarten, students were showing adults all of the ways that technology can be beneficial to learning ( while also showing just how to use it as well). As a 7 year old child I was proficient in navigating that program, and now these children today are proficient in technology in all of its forms. It is that fact that should push educators to learn about and become experts in all of the technological advances that will enrich the learning environment. 

     As I have stated in previous entries, I am no technology guru. I know the basics and maybe a bit more than that, however, I am aware that as an educator in the digital society were living in today, it is so important to stay up to date on new developments. Now more than ever it is essential for educators to educator themselves on the future of education and where it is headed. As time goes by technology moves more to the forefront of the daily lives of everyone, not just students. Just the other day the announcement was made that within the next ten years students will be required to take computer science classes in the schools to learn to code. That is a huge change to the curriculum and the way we teach our students about computers and other digital technology. Until now we have utilized it mainly for answering questions or for different programs but now, we'll be teaching them how to create programs of their own. This change is both advantageous and a bit nerve wracking. 

     Children learn best when they are fully engaged and their interests are being addressed, and we can no longer deny that their biggest interests are majorly driven by technology. That being said, technology should find its way into any and every lesson that it will enrich, not inhibit. It should be included to make our lives easier, and the students educational lives more fulfilling and inviting. We should be using every tool that we come across that pertains to our classrooms and will benefit our students. Of course traditional learning should still occur, however as the text states, group-based assignments are the way of the future, and studies have shown that students prefer this approach to learning.Overall, I consider my teaching style to be mainly student-centered and my goal is to create lessons that are interactive, enriching and inviting for my students. These chapters definitely taught me a little bit more about myself and my future career aspirations. 

Questions for the reader: 

1. What is your personal opinion on the addition of the computer science program to the curriculum of public schools? Is it a good thing, or will it take away from what is already being taught? 

2. As mentioned in the textbook, the Pew Internet and American Life Project characterized how people use computers and other information technologies. What category do you feel that most people new to the educational field fall into? What about seasoned veteran teachers where you have worked? Where do you fit into the scheme? Explain why you chose your answers. 

3.  In your experience, what was the most useful tool or program that you have come across while working with the SmartBoard? I am looking to expand my repertoire of skills on the SmartBoard but only have fairly basic knowledge and would love any input!

Lessons Learned 9-16-15

     Tonight's focus on the ever-changing field of education has left me with a few final thoughts. As the role of the teacher has developed and become more of a guidance than the center of attention, it is obvious that in service teachers should have much different expectations for their careers and experiences they will be facing than those of our seasoned educator counterparts. The dynamic of the classroom has evolved to be a place where children learn by doing and exploring, not necessarily by listening to lectures. 

    On an unrelated note, the idea of students needing to take coding classes within the next 10 years in public schools is a very interesting proposal to me. I wonder where they will fit that class within the already ever-busy school day. I also wonder what the consequences will be for students that do not perform well in the computer science classes, as coding can be a very challenging topic. I know personally that my boyfriend works in cyber forensics and I could not even begin to understand how his job works or how just by entering in pages of characters he can format entire programs. 

    I definitely have many things to think about for next time!

Personal Learning Goals

     As a educator and as a 21st century citizen, technology has been the focal point of much of my personal, educational, and social life. Growing up as a 90's baby we witnessed some of the biggest technological advancements as they developed and changed the way we communicated, completed school assignments and even the way we spent our free time. We moved on from the word processors and AOL being used by our parents to Web 2.0, Microsoft word and AIM. Cell phones would actually fit in your pocket and over time have morphed into mini computers. Now, technology has made communication and daily task managing quick, easy and commonplace with text messaging, email received directly on your phone,and communicating across devices with programs like iMessage and GroupMe.
     Unfortunately, my experience with technology essentially peaks there. When it comes to technology in the educational field, I feel I am far behind as relates to the SmartBoard, but can handle a laptop or an iPad efficiently. I know that today's educators must establish not only a physical presence, but also a digital presence that sets the precedence for their students, be it on self-created websites, or in their writing on digital presentations. I feel I have the most to learn in the area of technology in the classroom.
     As a future teacher, I am aware that it is my job to inform my students how to appropriately and effectively utilize technology to make their lives easier and more enriched, especially as much of their lives already revolve around technology. I want to ensure that I give my students the tools that they need to thrive in today's technology rich society, as well as in our classroom, which will utilize a wide variety of technology. I am hoping that this course will bring me up to speed on current issues in technology, and will assist me in acquiring the skills that I need in order to become a catalyst in my students learning so that we may have a technological environment that inspires learning, creativity and exploration. For this and many other reasons, I have developed below a list of my personal learning goals.

My personal learning goals:

1. I would like to develop my skills and knowledge of today's technology as it relates to education so that I may present myself digitally as a seasoned professional whom is aware of the ins-and-outs of educating the iGeneration, especially since they are already such advanced users of technology.

2. I wish to familiarize myself with technological pop-culture so that I may utilize it in building motivating and interesting lessons for my students.

3. I would like to develop a reference list of  educational websites that I may refer to at any time for ideas and reinforcing lessons given in the classroom.

4. To utilize technology in order to create engaging, interactive lessons and activities for my students such as WebQuests, PowerPoint's and review games from sites like Kahoot.it.

5. I strive to learn how to properly educate my students on digital citizenship and promote a learning environment that allows participants to feel safe and in control online while not needing to fear bullies or other negative experiences pertaining to social media, blogging or the like.

6.  I would like to establish a digital presence not only in school, but also one that extends to the home through parent communication, a classroom website, digital assignments,  and grade postings.

7.  I wish to become comfortable with technology to the point that I am able to utilize it regularly in my lessons and not just as an occasional addition.

8. I would love to get to know the programs and tools available to educators on the SmartBoard. I know that there is much more to them than simply writing capabilities, and would like to be able to incorporate some of these items into my future classroom. I have seen some educators do this, but have yet to discover how myself.

9. Finally, I would like to learn how to employ technology as a way to differentiate instruction and appeal to diverse learners.