Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, work and Society has had a major impact in my teaching. Learning the skills of blogging, wikis, and podcast has shown me how to connect in ways I never thought with my students. The skills of using technology were at a time in my teaching very unnerving. Now, I have the confidence to try new things which will lead I am sure to even greater opportunities to reach students.
Also, this course has caused me to look inwardly as a teacher. Trying to be more open to how 21st century students learn. Learning and teaching is changing before my eyes. I admit it is hard to change old practices but, with all the research and data it is a must. The resources that are available are, it seems endless and the fact that I can expect students to have equal access make me more viligent that I cover my bases.
This course has also shown me that being a good teacher involves more that just teacher centered lecture, it involves leading my students into the arena of discovery. Giving them the guidance to find their own solutions with guidelines that are decided own by many sources. This discovery has already impacted my teaching through much more collaboration and free exchange with students and others.
While this course has brought about some anxiety on my part I have concluded not to be intimidated by the unsure but to seize the opportunity the future may bring to expand my knowledge and skills through continuing the process. My goal is to always, as long as I continue to teach to stay on the cutting edge by reading, practicing, and using technolgy.
Two goals: 1) I want to start a blog within my classes to bring about the free exchange of idea seen in wikipedia and blogging. To accomplish this I will have to convince my LST (Local School Technician) to set it up through our school network. This will be difficult because currently our system does not allow it but I believe through education I can get it done at some point.
2) I want to start and continue a wiki that deals with my subject area for Health teachers all over my state to begin with and eventually the world. This would give greater insight into how we can make this course more effective for students. Also, it would give teachers and endless sourse of updated information. In order to accomplish this I have got to collaborate with some technology savvy teacher in my school and get approval at the local, county and state level.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Students and Technology
After surveying my students this week it is very obvious that they are not technology intimadated by all the new gadgets that come out almost daily. Infact they love the challenges they present. On the other hand, I find myself uncertain and slightly uncomfortable. This course helps but DOING helps more. The knowledge that comes from trial and error makes it worth the effort.
Friday, April 3, 2009
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