End of Semester Reflection

This semester I have learned a lot not only about technology, but how to use it as a teacher, how children of today learn, and I have also changed my view on technology in the classroom if ever so slightly.

First of all, as a teacher I want to be able to use technology in order to make my life easier, more organized and efficient. Secondly, I want to use it to be a better teacher, to be on the same level as my students and to help inspire them to take advantage of the resources out there in order to become more successful.

At the beginning of the semester, I felt a little overwhelmed at the amount of stuff that is out there! I mean, I couldn't possibly figure it all out and know exactly what I need for which aspect of my life. But then, I realized that I don't need to know it all. If I find something I like and that would be useful to me, then I'll use it until something better comes along (and it probably will). I need to be open to change as far as technology goes because it is ever changing.

Children today are becoming more and more adept at learning technology and the rest of us are struggling just to keep up. They say that children pick up new languages easier than adults do and I think the same goes for learning technology. It's more natural for some than others. Children today have a much shorter attention span which can be attributed to technology and the instant gratification it brings. ADD is on the rise and a lot of that is because we are creating a world where being still and quiet and not having something fed to us continually is not an option. You have to actively seek quiet time; schedule it in. This is the world we will be teaching in. We could try to change it because we don't agree with it, but the more likely thing that will have to happen is to adapt to it and do the best we can for our students.

I think that this class has taught me that though I am not completely gung ho for anything and everything digital, I can balance technology in my teaching and help my students to understand the importance of it in their lives and also to help them familiarize themselves with some of the awesome things that are out there. I really don't know what I'll do without a SMARTBoard! I'll have to go back to the time B.S.B (Before SmartBoard).

This is what I wrote in my NETS assignment at the beginning of the semester:

The NETS I am choosing to focus on this semester is #2: Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S.

Teachers:
a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.

b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.

c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources.

d. provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching.

Ways I will work on this this semester is,

1) through adapting my learning about teaching to include technology. I can already see this happening in other classes and getting ideas about how to do this or that with technology.

2) to think about how I can use technology to reach students with different learning styles and abilities. Technology can help teach to every multiple intelligence from musical to kinesthetic and I want to be able to possess the knowledge to do that.

3) familiarize myself with the wide span of technology available to me as a teacher. The more I learn about the options out there, the more I realize I don't know! The possibilities are endless, but the more I learn about what is out there, the more I can pick and choose what will be best for my teaching style.

First, I have definitely adapted my teaching style to include technology, mostly through use of the SMARTBoard. Just about all of my projects for other classes this semester involved the use of the SMARTBoard and as I said earlier, it would take a lot to adapt back to not using it.

Second, I think that I have accomplished the task of using technology to reach different learning styles of students. The beauty of the SMARTBoard is that it can incorporate every single muliple-intelligence and I have learned how to do that effectively.

The one thing I have done, but haven't quite mastered is using technology to provide formative and summative assessment. It's one of those things that I feel isn't super critical in the learning process. Formative assessment is the easier of the two to incorporate, but summative, not so much.

Overall, I feel that my students are going to have a good digital learning experience in my classroom. I think that I feel comfortable enough with classroom technology to be able to have a tech-friendly place to learn and grow. I'm excited to see what my students come up with in regards to technology and I'm also excited to see what I can teach them through it.

Reflection #12

What?

I just wanted to take the time to talk about some music listening websites that I have encountered: Pandora and Grooveshark. It's so great that someone out there figured out what I like to call the poor man's ipod. These sites have a mind of their own that strangely enough can access your brain and figure out what kind of music you like. Yes, you are tied down to listening only when you have internet connection, but I don't want to be one of the constipods out there who are continually connected to their music library anyway.

So What?

So, I'm poor and I want an ipod too, but I just can't bring myself to buy one. There are ways to get things for free and I'm satisfied with Grooveshark. I began by listening to Pandora, but after an intense month of studying (the times I listen most) I used up all 40 of my listening hours with about 10 days in the month to spare. So switch to Grooveshark I did! And I like it better. It allows you to listen to any song, anytime, over and over again unlike Pandora. It suggests music for you better than Pandora ever did.

Now What?

I think Pandora was the first website to come up with this concept (correct me if I'm wrong), but it just comes to show that technology just improves upon itself as time goes on. We are so quick to jump on whatever new stuff is out there, but if you just have a little patience and do some research, you can find something that you are just as happy with and you have a couple extra bucks in your pocket to spend on your garden gnome collection. Do I still want an ipod? You betcha, but maybe that'll have to wait until I'm a rich teacher. . .

Reflection #11

What?

I recently read this quote:

"Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time." -Chinese Proverb

I know that sometimes I think that because I learned a certain way and it worked for me that it must be the best way to learn. I recognize in myself that sometimes I don't understand why someone can't learn something that came so easily to me.

So What?

When the time comes for me to start teaching children from a different generation and I can't figure out why they can't just get it, I need to think about this proverb. We are from different times and the world around us shapes us more than we know. Most likely, the children I teach will be digital natives; they will think differently and will have a bent towards technology.

Now What?

I have to make a conscious effort to get to know the kids I will be teaching - know what they are surrounded by day to day, how much of their time is spent with technology, how they can use technology as a creative outlet and even know how they respond to new information.

Reflection #10

What?

I just got a nanny job for the summer and I thought it would be cool to have the kids help me with a journal of our summer adventures. Since I am now familiar with the blogging process (thanks to Tech in Ed.!) I thought doing a blog would be the best way to go!

So What?

One of the kids I am nannying is 5 and will be going to kindergarten this fall. I think it would be a valuable experience for him to already know about blogs and communication through the internet as he enters school for the first time. He can help me pick out the layout and also dictate what he wants to say in the blog. This goes for his sister too who will be going into 2nd grade. I can have them each pick a font color and the girl's story will be in her color, the boy's in his. We can post pictures and videos of things we do and it will help the parents feel like they are not missing out on their children's activities. I know the father works a lot and this will be great for him to see.

Now What?

Well, now I just need to run it by their parents. I think that parents would be open to this because not only is it great for the kids, but they can share their adventures with other family members and friends and it is also a great way to look back over the years on their favorite summer with their nanny, Bethany! It will be a good creative outlet for the kids and a good rainy day activity.