Reflection Post

As this course draws to a close, I realize how much more confidence I am in my technology skills. I have learned how to use podcasts, wikipedias, and blogs to help become a more effective teacher. This class has given me the passion to continue to learn the new technologies that are presented and apply them to the classroom.

Being a recent graduate of an education program in 2003, they spoke to us about the methodology transformation from being teacher-centered learning to a learning-centered approach. When I got my first teaching job, I didn’t understand how to apply this learning centered approach to my job. My co-workers definitely did not support this idea of a learner-centered approach. Since then, I got a new job at an elementary school that is into teamwork and support. With the knowledge that I have gained from this class, I am beginning to see how technology is an important piece to the puzzle to create a learner-centered environment. Allowing students opportunities to seek out the information not only develops excellent skills that they will need in the future, but it allows them to construct the information in a meaningful context. Technology allows this construction of learning to take place in a fast, easy, anytime, anywhere environment if students are provided the tools and training. Before taking this class, I didn’t understand how important it is to have students prepared for 21st century literacy technologies. I now understand how important it is to provide my students with opportunities to learn using 21st century skills that will be essential to their success in the future.

To continue and expand my development in teaching and learning using 21st century technologies, I need to seek more professional development. I need to continue to learn and find training on implementing these technologies into the classroom. I also need to make time to use the community of educators that are online using educational blogs and websites like the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.

The first long term goal for transforming my classroom environment is to get more computers into my classroom, so that students have access to the technologies that are available. I currently have 3 student computers in my classroom. By working with my school district technology coordinator and applying for grants, I hope to have 10-15 computers in my classroom within the nest 2 years. The second long term goal that I would like to accomplish is to use podcasts or wikis in my classroom every quarter as a performance assessment. Within every quarter, I would like to give my students the opportunity to produce something that will be published world wide. The largest obstacle will be time. It will take time early in the school year to train my students on how to use podcast and wikis properly.

Podcast of Student Survey

I created a podcast of the information that I gathered from my fifth grade class about their use of technology outside of school. Below is the link if you would like to have a listen..

http://feed.podcastmachine.com/podcasts/2164/mp3.rss

Evaluating 21st Century Skills

The Partnership for the 21st Century Skills website is a very well organized attempt to bring together the business community, educational leaders and policy makers. The Partnership for the 21st Century Skills has a clearly defined mission to position 21st century skills at the center of the United States K-12 education by building collaborative partnerships among education, business, and community and government leaders. I couldn’t find anything that I would disagree with on this website. As a teacher who is only in his sixth year of teaching, it is not hard for me to see the need for the 21st century skills set infused into the United States education system. This will not be an easy infusion of skills, but with all groups working together some excellent advancement can be made in 21st century education.

I was shocked at how much information was presented for teachers on this website. I can’t believe that I haven’t heard about this website before today. My favorite resource on this website was using the online guide from the Route 21 link. I explored and found some excellent information on how to implement ICT Literacy skills and support for global awareness into my fifth grade classroom. In this exploration, it was nice to be able to watch a video clip of a teacher implementing these ideas. I really enjoyed watching the video clip on a lesson called Journey North, which demonstrated implementing ICT Literacy within a science curriculum.

As an educator, I ensure that every student has the opportunity to become successful citizens and workers in the 21st century. I will need to continue learning and implementing new knowledge and skills into the classroom. I will seek and participate in professional development programs. Students will not get a free ride on this journey through the 21st century. Students will need to take responsibility for their learning as collaboration; self-direction and accountability are a part of the skills needed.

Utilizing Blogs in the Classroom

I teach three blocks of 5th grade math, and one block of social studies. Many of my students and parents do not have access at home to the internet. My district is opposed to assigning homework that involves technology because of the lack of access the majority of our families have. I would like to use my blog as an ongoing bulletin board for my students and parents. Utilizing a blog in my classroom will help build a community in my room as well as give parents another network to stay connected with their child at school. I find that 5th graders begin to become independent from their parents and as a result communication breaks down between the school and the parents. Parents are sometimes not aware of activities or projects that are going on at school. A classroom blog will give me the opportunity to provide parents another avenue to stay involved in their son or daughter’s school work and activities.

New Blogger

My first time setting up a blog. I think I have got a lot to learn about the impacts that technology can make in my day to day life.