My knowledge has deepened at the realization that we as a society cannot go back to our old ways. Whether one is a digital native or digital immigrant, everyone can progress in society. We are in a creative generation where we have to apply these new technologies or our students will not be prepared for the future. For example, blogging has quickly become one of the most used forms of communication. With blogging, everyone has a voice and opinion. Students will be using this for the rest of their lives, so why not have them use it in the classroom to help develop skills, for communication, for critical thinking, and debates? This type of technology is current, applicable, and personal to students. More jobs these days are being done by machines and technology. Are we going to hinder or promote the skills students will need to be productive citizens of society?
Creating lesson plans in college where future teachers are required to write word-for-word what will occur in lessons seems so ridiculous. Can any educator predict what will happen in a unit of study 100% of the time? Student ownership has always played a big part in my teaching, but has changed in a big way, too. I want my students to learn, grow, create, think, and talk—and take complete ownership for their learning. Kids are very media rich, as most spend 6 or more hours a day using audio or video media. As students look to technology in their pursuit of learning and ownership, many positive outcomes can occur such as increase in grades, critical thinking, engagement, and work ethic. As always we have to start where the students are…then take them to where they are not.
Goals are always important as an educator, student, or parent. With the help of my blog I plan on documenting my students and their creative work over the next year. I want them to feel proud of their successes, and I want to show other educators what my students can do. I plan on doing this by systematically posting to my blog and critically thinking about new and innovative tasks my students can do. Another goal I feel is important is to give students early keyboard exposure. With advances in technology it is clear computer testing will become the most used type of testing in the U.S., if not being implemented already. Exposure to the keyboard early on in Pre-K is a key element in future student success.
I have changed as an educator by “working to promote best practices in technology integration by researching, evaluating, and selecting and sharing new tools for classroom instruction.” I have enjoyed implementing the new strategies I have learned, and will continue to use them to promote student learning. In addition, with the use of blogging, I have enjoyed “seeking out other professionals with whom I share best practices and build a personal learning community to further my own professional growth.” I have learned so many creative ideas from other bloggers and it is exciting to try out proven strategies and creative ideas used by other educators.
