I am finishing up a course titled "Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society". My final assignment is to reflect upon what I have learned as a result of the course and how it will influence my learning and teaching. Whew, where do I begin???
I am embarrassed to say that prior to the course, I didn't know what a wiki, blog or podcast were; yet alone RSS, aggregators and social networking. I had heard of Facebook and Wikipedia, but didn't understand how or why to use either. Prior to age 34; I was afraid to be in water above my neck. I took private swimming lessons, and my life changed forever. My teacher was 74 years old. Now, 22 years later, the feelings of accomplishment that I received from conquering a fear; still give me the courage to tackle new challenges.
I feel like this course has changed my professional life as a teacher; much like learning to swim changed my personal life. In the 'sea' of technology skills, I have jumped in and am doggie paddling. The best part is that I am having fun and want to continue on. I have a picture on my desk of a young girl ready to climb over a stone wall. The words on the picture are: She tiptoed to the edge of what she knew and crossed over into the wilderness of what she wanted." This master's program is helping me to climb over the wall and some day become an excellent teacher. This course has given me the courage and tools to move from a teacher-centered class to a student-centered class. I can already see a change in my attitude and approach to teaching; and the resulting invigoration for learning in my students. I just today had a teacher tell me that my encouragement has led her to using wikis with her students. By sharing my knowledge and enthusiasm for 21st century skills with other teachers and students; I can impact the future education in my school. This is awesome!!! What teacher doesn't like to inspire others?
Although I have learned much, I still have a long way to go. First I must continue to develop my skills and strengthen my comfort level with the new skills I have learned. I must used wikis, podcasts and blogs regularly in my life. By doing so I will be able to convey to my students the inherent value in using them, and be able to guide my students in learning how to use them. In addition, I am committed to adding one new student-centered, project-based activity each quarter to my teaching activities. I will need to work with parents and administration; helping them to see the great value these tools have for the students. By taking small, yet consistent and frequent steps, I will transform my classroom over the next few years. I will become the teacher whose classroom students love to enter; rather than dread. Once I accomplish this, I will know I have helped my students become life-long learners, the ultimate 21st century skill.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Scratch
I just watched a video on 'Scratch' a free software from MIT which oozes with creative possibilities. It looks like something I will need to learn and use somehow with my students. Take a look. It's fascinating.
http://www.teachertube.com/
Search for Scratch
Have fun!
http://www.teachertube.com/
Search for Scratch
Have fun!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
21st Century Skills
I recently visited the website for the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/. The mission of this organization is to work with the business community, leaders in education and policymakers to ensure all students receive an education that prepares them for citizenship and careers in the 21st century. The organization provides resources to help support this goal.
At their website, a plethora of information is available. It is well organized, easy to navigate and pleasant to view. I particularly like their colorful graphic showing the 21st Century Student Outcomes and Support Systems. The links and details within the system graphic are extensive. I found all skills and content to be vital for a student's education.
I was surprised and disappointed to see how few states were listed as actively supporting this organization. Unfortunately, Ohio, my home state, is not one of the supporters. I was also surprised to see the lengthy listing of companies heralding this effort. It is impressive in its' length and scope. Many notable companies are included.
If there is anything I was disappointed with; it is placing financial education as an interdisciplinary theme. My experience shows that this tends to diminish the importance of the material and may be overlooked or undervalued by the classroom teacher in the core content areas. As a business educator, the students that take my personal finance course enter being very weak in financial concepts and skills. It does not appear they are receiving enough this through their core courses. With high stakes testing being at the forefront; teachers are forced to choose what will be covered. There just isn't enough time to cover it all.
Students will need to have world class content and skills to be prepared to be a productive member of our workforce as well as a contributing citizen. The content and skills must be mutually supportive of each other. When I think of how 21st Century skills will impact education, two thoughts come to mind. As teachers we desperately need professional development opportunities to learn how to incorporate the skills training in order to support the content. In order to provide this education, we will need the financial support of our community; something that all too frequently is sorely missing in this country. Fortunately technology is becoming less expensive; and that is good news for the future of our world-our students.
I recently visited the website for the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/. The mission of this organization is to work with the business community, leaders in education and policymakers to ensure all students receive an education that prepares them for citizenship and careers in the 21st century. The organization provides resources to help support this goal.
At their website, a plethora of information is available. It is well organized, easy to navigate and pleasant to view. I particularly like their colorful graphic showing the 21st Century Student Outcomes and Support Systems. The links and details within the system graphic are extensive. I found all skills and content to be vital for a student's education.
I was surprised and disappointed to see how few states were listed as actively supporting this organization. Unfortunately, Ohio, my home state, is not one of the supporters. I was also surprised to see the lengthy listing of companies heralding this effort. It is impressive in its' length and scope. Many notable companies are included.
If there is anything I was disappointed with; it is placing financial education as an interdisciplinary theme. My experience shows that this tends to diminish the importance of the material and may be overlooked or undervalued by the classroom teacher in the core content areas. As a business educator, the students that take my personal finance course enter being very weak in financial concepts and skills. It does not appear they are receiving enough this through their core courses. With high stakes testing being at the forefront; teachers are forced to choose what will be covered. There just isn't enough time to cover it all.
Students will need to have world class content and skills to be prepared to be a productive member of our workforce as well as a contributing citizen. The content and skills must be mutually supportive of each other. When I think of how 21st Century skills will impact education, two thoughts come to mind. As teachers we desperately need professional development opportunities to learn how to incorporate the skills training in order to support the content. In order to provide this education, we will need the financial support of our community; something that all too frequently is sorely missing in this country. Fortunately technology is becoming less expensive; and that is good news for the future of our world-our students.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Soft Skills
Currently I teach grades 9-12. There are four courses I teach. They are Accounting, Keyboarding, Managing Your Personal Finances, and The ABC's of Investing. I have been thinking of how I could incorporate blogging in one of my classes. Here is an idea I have. Please let me know what you think of it. What problems do you foresee me encountering? How can my idea be improved upon? Here is my idea.
In Accounting, our textbook offers some materials where 'soft skills' of the business world are touched upon. There is usually a several paragraph article followed by several questions for student discussion. Being teenagers, my students are very hesitant to express any thoughts that appear to not follow the status quo. Frequently it is difficult to engage them in discussion, let alone higher-level thinking skills. Here is where I think blogging would work well. I would divide my class into groups of 5 students each. I have 25 students. Each student would be given a 'code' name. They would use this name in their posts. This would keep the post anonymous. In addition, it would encourage those quiet students, with so much to say, to do just that. The students would be given a scenario and would respond to it. They would also respond to at least two of their fellow teammates. I would read and approve all postings before being published. Following is an example of one of the prompts.
Scenario: You have a part-time job at a petting zoo. There's a strict do-not-feed-the-animals policy for visitors. You see a parent encouraging his kids to give some apples to a goat. You approach the parent and tell him about the policy. He says, "Oh, a couple of little apples aren't going to make a difference." How do you respond to the parent? What do you say? What else could you do?
This is just one example of helping students develop communication skills-one of the 'soft skills'. I think blogging would help them see a variety of ways to respond to situations. It would help them communicate their thoughts in a environment where they feel 'safe' from peer criticism. What's your suggestions?
Thanks for helping me on this!
In Accounting, our textbook offers some materials where 'soft skills' of the business world are touched upon. There is usually a several paragraph article followed by several questions for student discussion. Being teenagers, my students are very hesitant to express any thoughts that appear to not follow the status quo. Frequently it is difficult to engage them in discussion, let alone higher-level thinking skills. Here is where I think blogging would work well. I would divide my class into groups of 5 students each. I have 25 students. Each student would be given a 'code' name. They would use this name in their posts. This would keep the post anonymous. In addition, it would encourage those quiet students, with so much to say, to do just that. The students would be given a scenario and would respond to it. They would also respond to at least two of their fellow teammates. I would read and approve all postings before being published. Following is an example of one of the prompts.
Scenario: You have a part-time job at a petting zoo. There's a strict do-not-feed-the-animals policy for visitors. You see a parent encouraging his kids to give some apples to a goat. You approach the parent and tell him about the policy. He says, "Oh, a couple of little apples aren't going to make a difference." How do you respond to the parent? What do you say? What else could you do?
This is just one example of helping students develop communication skills-one of the 'soft skills'. I think blogging would help them see a variety of ways to respond to situations. It would help them communicate their thoughts in a environment where they feel 'safe' from peer criticism. What's your suggestions?
Thanks for helping me on this!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
ELL's and TLL's (Technology Language Learners)
As I think about my fear and frustrations with blogging; I get some sense of what it must be like to be a student that is an English language learner. There are so many new terms in technology that are 'Greek' to me. They say it is always good to walk in another person's shoes. For me I am just trying on their sandals.
New Driver
I remember my mother learning how to drive. She was 60 years old and I was a teenager, who already had her license. I couldn't figure out why she was so overwhelmed and frazzled. After all, what was the big deal? All she needed to do was turn the key, put it in drive and go.
Now I know how my mother must have felt. I am new to blogging and feel overwhelmed and frazzled at the other blogsites. I also know my age is showing, as this is nothing new for my much younger fellow teachers.
I was watching a program recently on the aging of the brain. Research shows that the best way to keep dimentia and alzheimers at bay, is to learn something new-to stretch beyond our comfort zone. So I have decided to consider this blogging experience as my anti-alzheimer medication. I'm only 56, yet it's never too soon to work on keeping the mind young.
Now I know how my mother must have felt. I am new to blogging and feel overwhelmed and frazzled at the other blogsites. I also know my age is showing, as this is nothing new for my much younger fellow teachers.
I was watching a program recently on the aging of the brain. Research shows that the best way to keep dimentia and alzheimers at bay, is to learn something new-to stretch beyond our comfort zone. So I have decided to consider this blogging experience as my anti-alzheimer medication. I'm only 56, yet it's never too soon to work on keeping the mind young.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Relax and learn
Welcome to my blog. As a teacher I am constantly learning how to teach. Blogging is a new experience for me. I love to learn and find the Chautauqua Institute a fabulous summer experience. I have spent one week there each summer for the last 4 years. Check out their website at http://www.ciweb.org/. It is like nowhere else I have been. For insightful lectures by leaders in their field, along with concerts, ballet, bicycling and a walk along the flower laden streets of Victorian homes, Chautaqua is a great place to unwind and expand your horizens.
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