Waking Up

It is time to wake up.  As a nation, we want our children to be prepared for their world.  (As a parent, I know I do.)  Their world is and will be much different from mine.  If we want them prepared to thrive in it, we as educators better wake up and make some changes.  Gone are the rows of desks, lecture, and note taking.  Bring in the iPads, digital gaming, and social networking. You need only watch Mr. Winkle in his video to see that some schools and educators are still asleep.

We need to change our perspective on how we view the digital world and its affects on learning. There is so much positive data on integrating technology in the classroom and the benefits that come with it.  As educators, it is our responsibility to make others aware of how to use it and why we should use it.  Its a struggle for me.  It is out of my comfort zone.  However, I know the importance of using it.  I want to provide an example to my children and students that something might be tough to learn, but it can still be accomplished.  I don't want to be like Mr. Winkle.  So, I'm waking up.  



*you tube video by Mathew Needleman

Big Ideas for Better Schools

What will it take to make our schools better? A video at www.edutopia.org has the answer.  This video shares ten big ideas on improving public education.  Each idea plays an equally important role in the education of our students.  Some of the ideas include teacher preparation, parental involvement, and comprehensive assessment.  With each idea, the video provides footage of it being played out in an actual classroom.  It is awesome to see students moving, collaborating, and learning in ways that are meaningful. If we can provide our students with an environment that promotes real-world projects, integrated studies, and technology integration, then we will be preparing them for a very bright future.

I believe the best way to make better schools is to provide the knowledge and resources for new and existing teachers to get it done.  As a new teacher, I want the know-how to implement these useful strategies in my classroom. Making our schools better is a shared goal for parents, teachers, and communities all over the world.  This video does a great job providing evidence that it is being done everyday.

Reflection

I read an article today in Educational Leadership about getting students to "mastery".  The author, Catlin Tucker, gives five wise suggestions on ways to use technology to engage students in meaningful learning.  Her goal is to help teachers give their students the tools and skills they need to continue learning on their road to mastery.  She begins with creativity and play where she suggests scavenger hunts using Instagram instead of the typical field trip students are accustomed to.  She believes in the student having freedom to choose how to approach assignments.  In addition, she encourages student-centered learning and shared goal setting.  Finally, she stresses the importance of providing her students with timely and specific feedback via Google docs. 

Tucker's article embodies all that we have learned to value from our classes so far.  My goal is to give the encouragement and resources to my students so that they will have the desire to learn.  Tucker believes this can be achieved through technology.  After reading her article, I agree with her too. 





Tucker, Catlin (2013). Five Musts for Mastery. Educational Leadership, Volume 71(issue no. 4), pages 56-60.

Technology Integration

It is fascinating the way some teachers and schools use technology in their classrooms.  I think way back to my K-12 years and realize that I had only the most minimal experience with technology in school.  In fourth grade, we obtained one of those large computers for the class.  The only thing we used it for was to play the Oregon Trail game once a week.  Once I got to middle school, I actually had a computer class (of which I remember nothing).  Luckily in high school, we were offered a little more exposure to them.  Unfortunately, even with that exposure, the computer or other forms of technology were never used in classrooms the way it is today. 


The Edutopia website is full of videos showing amazing teachers doing amazing things!  Most specifically, I enjoyed Nicole Dalesio's video from the Tech2Learn series. She is integrating as much of the curriculum she can, into something that her students are excited about in order to create meaningful learning.  I was in awe when I watched some of the things her students were doing; and to be perfectly honest, I was nervous.  After watching this video, I feel pretty far behind when it comes to technology.  I have no idea the true capabilities of a computer;but these 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders do.  They are using IMovie to discuss math concepts and turning personal narratives into videos.  They are collaboratively learning.  They are doing exactly what teachers hope they will do.  I have a lot to learn before I get my own classroom.  I want what Ms. Dalesio wants for her students; and I know that it can be done.