Reflection

Over the last eight weeks I have encountered a lot of technology that I was unfamiliar with. If it had not been for this course I would not have the 21st Century Skills that I need to teach my students. This course has taught me how to set up and create my own blog. I have learned how to create, use, and manage my own Wiki. I have used podcasting in my classroom which is available for others to access. I have also explored online networks such as Flickr and Twitter. I feel less fearful and more comfortable with technology and therefore I have less anxiety about teaching my students through the use of technology. Learning in this environment is about being able to construct, develop, sustain, and participate in global networks that render time and place less and less relevant (Richardson, 2006). I think that this is true of what our classrooms can become. Learning no longer requires the teacher to stand in the front of the class and lecture but learning can be continual through technology resources where students work in cooperative groups over time to reach an academic goal.
My knowledge of the teaching and learning process has deepened because I see how quickly students can pick up technology. They enjoy it and they produce better quality work through it. They are eager to learn and show their skills to their peers. They work well in cooperative groups where I am the facilitator.
I have definitely changed my perspective from instruction being teacher-centered to learner-centered. This is especially difficult when working with so many veteran teachers. They are comfortable in their teaching style and often have trouble trying something new. However, now more than ever before teachers are taking on the role of a facilitator rather than instructing from the front of the class (Laureate, 2008).
Teachers have become guides that answer questions along the way and steer students in the right direction but no longer are looked at as the main source of information. When there is so much team collaboration in the grade level sometimes it is challenging to stray from what your team is doing. Teaching now is done in the form of group collaboration and less of a straight lecture (Richardson, 2006). I know that students learn better from each other and through exploration. As a teacher, I want to give them as many opportunities as possible for group collaboration.
I can continue to expand my knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology by adding new technology into what I already know. I can take advantage of professional developments and research what other schools are using as far as technology in their schools. I can collaborate with other colleagues to create and plan lessons that teach 21st Century Skills. I can increase student achievement by providing many opportunities for students to grow and learn.
I have two long term goals that I would like to put in place for my classroom environment in the next two years. The first goal is that every student in my classroom has access to their own laptop. There are many schools that can get an inexpensive notebook for each child as part of a grant or other programs. The second goal I have ties in with my first goal. I want my students to complete their assignments through the use of their computers. This can be classroom assignments as well as homework assignments. If they do not have Internet access at home they could come in each morning and upload their work to the proper place online. I plan to accomplish the first goal by contacting the tech person at my school and finding out what the options are for acquiring a classroom set of computers. Since my school is a technology magnet school I think there are various avenues that this can be accomplished. Secondly, after each child receives their personal computer I will set up an area online where we can place all of our classroom activities and assignments.
After looking back at the checklist many of my answers have changed. Since taking this course I am providing my students with many and varied opportunities to use technology resources to support their learning. I have used blogs, wikis and podcasts thus far. I modeled the appropriate integration practices in the classroom and supported many opportunities for student-centered activities. I am doing these activities in my classroom more often than I ever was before. There are still many areas where I need to focus my energy. One of those would be working together with other professionals in order to share best practices in order to grow professionally. Lastly, I would like to model reflective practices that engage students in activities that promote self reflection of their own learning.

Laureate Education Inc. (2008). “Transforming the Classroom with Technology: Part 2.” Baltimore, MD: Laureate Education Inc.

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

Podcast

Partnership for 21st Century Learning

The Partnership for 21st Century Learning website is a thorough site. This site contains a wealth of information. I was not aware that so many states were listed under the state initiative tab. I wondered why those states are listed and others are not and how these states got involved.
However, I was surprised that there is not a place to blog and or communicate with other educators. The only way to contact someone is through a mailing address. This site contains many recent articles from newspapers and other journals. I couldn’t find anything that I disagreed with on this site. It had adequate resources, reputable members, and a concise mission statement. This is a website that is geared more towards teachers and adults. Unfortunately, it does not really apply to students.

http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/

Utilizing Blogs in the Classroom

Although a blog based on showcasing student work would be ideal, I think that I would use my blog for students to interact through content. I would use blogs in my second grade classroom for social studies and science. I believe that this activity would enhance the lesson by allowing students to share their views and ideas, read what others are thinking, and respond according to what they believe. Blogging will also stir up controversy. Each child will not always have the same opinion, therefore, students can express themselves using their words to provide details for their position. Blogging provides an additional way for instruction. It will undoubtedly get the class interested. They will listen more intently so that they may be able to blog effectively.

Alpha Smarts

Incorporating Alpha Smarts into my classroom is a goal that I have for the rest of the 2008-2009 school year. I have a difficult time getting my second grade class to write more than a paragraph on any given subject. They can construct a web with details just fine. However, when it comes to taking those ideas and writing a thoughtful response many get stuck or put something down on paper just to be done. I have used Alpha Smarts in my previous classrooms but I find that it takes up a substantial amount of time. So many students are working on different levels and this is time consuming. My school has bought into so many programs that writing has become more integrated into the other subjects. There isn’t the time available each day for drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. How can I make Alpha Smarts work in my classroom with a limited amount of time? Also, any tips for classroom management while using such a fun piece of technology with small children?