Reflective Essay

For the past eight weeks I have been taking an online course through Walden University entitled, EDUC-6710I-6, Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society. This course is one of several technology courses to be taken in my elective master’s program: Master’s of Education with a specialization in integrating technology in the classroom. Throughout this course I have been introduced to many exciting technological tools available on the web that hold boundless possibilities of integration into today’s classrooms while adding to and improving my own technological knowledge and skills.

This course has been particularly valuable in helping to build my own personal technology skills. Prior to participating in this program, I had no understanding of wikis, podcasts, and very little knowledge concerning blogs. Today, however, I feel very confident in my abilities to use any of these tools personally and am looking forward to incorporating them into my own classroom. Through learning how to utilize these tools I have a renewed sense of dedication and excitement. Tom Krucli tells us, “Technology allows the students to really break down the classroom walls” (Laureate Education, 2008). Learning is being made global and much more of a communication process. “[Teachers] are tapping into the potential of a World Wide Web that is a conversation, not a lecture, where knowledge is shaped and acquired through social process, and where ideas are presented as a starting point for dialogue, not an ending point” (Richardson, 2009). In classrooms making these tools a part of learning, possibilities are endless, creativity is on the rise, and priceless technological skills, which students will need in their post-educational careers, are being learned.

Being an educator means being a lifelong learner. In order to keep my students abreast of the skills they will require within their careers and everyday lives, I must remain learned in these skills as well. To accomplish this will require daily use of these tools, such as blogs, wikis, podcasts, etc. Likewise, students will need to see how these tools are utilized in the professional world. This can be accomplished through keeping a professional blog in order to share curriculum ideas, as well as gaining a plethora of diverse learning ideas from others. Students learn by example; what better way for them to see these tools in action than to watch their teacher use them in a professional manner? This could include a professional blog or wiki to site useful sites for integration ideas. A great site to share would be: http://www.commoncraft.com/socialmedia, a website containing a video that explains social media and how to use it in terms easy to understand. “We can’t pretend to know everything any more, and we can’t be effective if we don’t tap into the works of others who are willing to contribute their ideas and content as well” (Richardson, 2009). Through the use of these tools in the classroom, students will also be using critical thinking and problem solving skills. Likewise, using these tools invites students to weave their own interests into their created products (Laureate Education, 2008).

I have two professional goals I would like to meet within the next two years of my teaching career concerning the integration of these technology tools into my classroom. First and foremost, I would like to obtain more time in the computer lab for my students. As of right now, they only receive thirty minutes a week; not sufficient time to teach my students how to use any of today’s technology tools. Accomplishing this will require action at our school’s Campus Advisory Team meetings, of which I am a member. It may take the rest of the school year before this can be changed. Second, with the five computers I have available in the classroom, I would like for my students to begin blogging. Regardless of their young ages, it is a crucial time in their writing development. Blogging for an audience on a variety of topics will help them build confidence and voice. Achieving this goal will require parental consent and the unblocking of blogging sites on our district server. Websites of this nature are blocked from our viewing and usage right now. Hopefully with explanations of use and the backing of our administrators, these tools can be unblocked and used in our teaching.

“The coming years will be marked by a flood of new innovation and ideas in teaching, most born from the idea that we can now publish and interact in ways never before possible. In reality, we now have a Read/Reflect/Write/Participate Web, one that will continue to evolve and grow in ways not yet thought of, spurred by the efforts of creative teachers who recognize the potential to improve student learning” (Richardson, 2009).


References:

http://www.commoncraft.com/socialmedia

Laureate Education, Inc., (Producer). 2008. Bringing the fun into teaching with technology [Motion Picture]. Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society. Baltimore: Author

Richardson, W. (2006). Blogs, wiks, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Technology Podcast

“Today's secondary and even elementary schools are filled with students . . . who are adept at multitasking and using technology in exciting new ways” (McHale, 2005). Students today are referred to as “Digital Natives,” by M. Prensky due to being raised in a technology rich environment (Prensky, 2001). The students I see in my classroom today are very knowledgeable about how to use technology due to growing up in a world that is digitally connected 24/7 through the use of the internet, cell phones, etc. My first graders grow bored very quickly during curriculum instruction if the delivery method is not digitally interactive and visually stimulating. In the featured podcast my students make reference to several educational games I make use of daily in my classroom. Two that they speak of are Ticket to Read, a component of our reading curriculum, which is available to them at school and at home via the internet; the other is Math Quiz Game Show. The latter is a component of our math adoption designed for a game show-like digital experience to review math concepts.

After surveying my entire class I found most of my students had access to a computer at home. In my podcast, students discuss how they use the computer at home and at school, but used them mainly for educational websites and gaming. I interviewed each student separately; they were each very shy as this was the first time they have been recorded. I found their responses enlightening.

Podcast:

Powered by Podbean.com




References:

McHale, T. (2005). Portrait of a digital native. Technology & Learning. Retrieved from http://www.techlearning.com/article/4572

Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants. On the Horizon, 9(5). Database: Proquest Central Database. Accession Number:1074252411.

For more information on computer programs mentioned:
http://www.tickettoread.com/
http://www.pearsonsuccess.com/

A Look at Partnership for 21st Century Skills

As an educator I am constantly recreating my curriculum delivery methods and techniques in which to evaluate my students in an effort to help further familiarize my students with 21st century technology skills. After perusing http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php , a website entitled Partnership for 21st Century Skills, I was further enlightened as to how critical teaching technology tools is becoming to our nation’s future. According to Partnership for 21st Century Skills, “Current 21st century tools include computers, networking and other technologies, plus audio, video, and other media and multimedia tools.” (Partnership for 21st Century Skills)

After spending some time on the website several thoughts came to mind. One, why is my school and state not a member of the partnership? I feel we should be. This site is jam packed with brilliant thought, research based strategies, implementation ideas, etc. The website boasts a well thought out and organized set of student outcomes and support systems. Some of the outcomes included, Flexibility and Adaptability, Initiative and Self Direction, Learning and Innovation, Information, Media, and Technology Skills, and Core Subjects and 21st Century Themes. (Partnership Website) All of these are critical skills to becoming, as Dr. Dede puts it, “fluent in a virtual literacy.” (Laureate Education, 2008) Two, I was pleased with all of the emphasis placed on diversity within the Partnership for 21st Century Skill’s framework. Our nation operates on a global scale now, not simply a national scale. Our students need to learn to appreciate and respect other cultures because most current day work environments are a smorgasbord of ethnicities.

I was surprised by the long list of businesses involved with this website. Businesses such as Walt Disney, Verizon, and LEGO were unexpected members. I equally surprised at how short the list was of states that were members of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills; I envisioned a much longer list. To reiterate, it was disappointing that my own home state of Texas was not on the list.

One aspect of the website I did have some disagreement with was the fact that there seemed to be more emphasis placed on subjects such as Global Awareness, and Civic and Health literacy than there was on subjects such as history and math. While subjects like Global Awareness are unquestionably important, I feel one must still have a solid background in history, English, and social studies to fully appreciate the freedoms and technological innovations we enjoy today.

What implications does that leave for me, as a teacher, and my students? As an educator, I have the responsibility to step up the technology used in my classroom. My students need to be expected to use it more as a tool for things such as research, creativity, communication, etc. It will be my job to guide them through the processes of how to accomplish these tasks while acting as a facilitator in an effort to aid them in becoming, “self-directed learners.” (Partnership Website)

References:

Laureate Education, Inc., (Producer). 2008. Technology interfaces [Motion Picture]. Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society. Baltimore: Author

Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). A report and mile guide for 21st century skills. Washington DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/downloads/P21_Report.pdf

Website: http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php

Incorporating Blogging into the Classroom

Teaching first grade is a wonderful experience; students are just learning how to express themselves through writing. Incorporating a blog in my classroom has the potential to be a positive writing tool for my young authors. Due to it being early in the year and our writing pieces being very short, I would like to begin blogging by simply creating a classroom blog, open to parents to showcase their student’s writing. I feel this would be a great tool to use in fostering confidence in their writing abilities while teaching them about the concept of writing for an audience.
As the year progresses, it would be exciting to allow students to communicate through a blog with students from another district, state or country. Here they could compare what they were learning, how their school days compare, etc. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Any experienced classroom bloggers out there who would like to share some tips?

Hello,
My name is Allison; I am a first grade ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher currently working on my MS in Education with a specialization in Integrating Technology in the Classroom. The class I am currently taking is serving as my initiation into the world of blogging!
Living in southern Texas, close to the Texas-Mexico border, many native Spanish speaking students come into my classroom. I am constantly on the lookout for new and exciting technology applications, websites and tools I can use with my non native English speaking students. The purpose behind my blog is to invite you to share your ideas and experiences utilizing technology with these students while helping me with my first blog attempt. Any new ideas would be greatly appreciated.

I would like to begin by sharing a neat application I ran across on a blog I read last night. The application is called WordMagnets; it is a great way for kids to manipulate text on interactive white boards. For more information on this tool, visit Nik’s blog at http://nikpeachey.blogspot.com/2009/10/revising-short-texts-and-syntax-on-iwb.html . His blog includes a link to the application, description of the apllication and a video showing how to use it. Thanks, Nik!

I used the application today in my classroom, it was a hit. Instead of simply writing a morning message, my students had to unscramble a previously written message. Engagement was significantly increased!