Thursday, May 7, 2009
The End of A Semester and the Beginning of a New Dawn
So the Spring 2009 semester is coming to end with students frantically trying to complete all of their last minute assignments and get ready for finals. The class that I am taking, Literacy and Technology offered an insightful way of applying technology to the classroom, with many ways being accessible to all teachers and most of them at a wopping cost of "FREE" and who doesn't like free. This class demonstrated that theory does not have to rule the lecture.. hands on makes a huge difference. Even though I do not profess to be a strong technological person... I missed one class due to a computer malfunction and found myself not knowing what to do or who to turn to and it became rather frustrating, but Dr. S makes you feel at ease with the class and the technology presented. In addition, we had a great time learning together and learning from each other (classmates) whihc really gave the feeling of a collaborative working environment, something that all of us working teachers or future teachers hope to achieve with our own classes. I enjoyed this class very much and know that I will beable to much of the information that I learned and really apply it directly to the classroom.
Great Article
I came across this great article in the The Principal COnnection of the magazine Educational Leadership: March 2009
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership.aspx
The article was passed along to me by the principal of my school since he knew I was taking a Literacy and Technology class. I found the article enlightening and very relevant to today's educational needs of students: Some highlights of the article:
A challenge that we need to teach students is to be literate in two types of languages: thse of the pre and post digital worlds. They suggest teaching both literacies at once (that's a no brainer) but also to approach this challenge in three ways:
1. to encourage students to enjoy good books
2. the use of expressive writing
3. and the ability to communicate correctly through written language.
Another interesting comment that they make, especially to teachers that have been teaching for a while, that they need to abandon the idea that information can only be found in books and relying to heavily on end of chapter tests. There are better ways to keeping a school "language rich" and it can change with the growing adaptation of technology within the school.
There is another article within the same edition of the magazine called The Media Collage: Being able to read and write in multiple forms of media and integrate into a meaningful whole is the new hallmark of literacy.
It is obvious that not every school has a large budget set aside for today's growing technology... it could cost a fortune for some schools and asking for a new laptop or smart board, maybe nearly impossible when most of the time students can not even get themselves on new textbooks. However, this article shows how (much of what we learned in our own class) are ways that a teacher can incorporate technology within the classroom and without it breaking the bank... the article suggests such websites/softwares; blogging, digital story tell, and other Web2.0 (media collages) literacy tools.
There are 8 tips that the articles highlights:
1. Shift from text centrism to media collage
2. Value Writing and Reading now more than ever
3. Adopt arts as the next "R"
4. Blend Traditional and Emergin Literacies
5. Harness report and story.
6. Practive private and participatory social literacy
7. Develop Literacy with Digital Tools and about Digital Tools
8. Pursue Fluency
Just remember teachers are guides... "focus on expression first and technology second... and everything will fall into place."
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership.aspx
The article was passed along to me by the principal of my school since he knew I was taking a Literacy and Technology class. I found the article enlightening and very relevant to today's educational needs of students: Some highlights of the article:
A challenge that we need to teach students is to be literate in two types of languages: thse of the pre and post digital worlds. They suggest teaching both literacies at once (that's a no brainer) but also to approach this challenge in three ways:
1. to encourage students to enjoy good books
2. the use of expressive writing
3. and the ability to communicate correctly through written language.
Another interesting comment that they make, especially to teachers that have been teaching for a while, that they need to abandon the idea that information can only be found in books and relying to heavily on end of chapter tests. There are better ways to keeping a school "language rich" and it can change with the growing adaptation of technology within the school.
There is another article within the same edition of the magazine called The Media Collage: Being able to read and write in multiple forms of media and integrate into a meaningful whole is the new hallmark of literacy.
It is obvious that not every school has a large budget set aside for today's growing technology... it could cost a fortune for some schools and asking for a new laptop or smart board, maybe nearly impossible when most of the time students can not even get themselves on new textbooks. However, this article shows how (much of what we learned in our own class) are ways that a teacher can incorporate technology within the classroom and without it breaking the bank... the article suggests such websites/softwares; blogging, digital story tell, and other Web2.0 (media collages) literacy tools.
There are 8 tips that the articles highlights:
1. Shift from text centrism to media collage
2. Value Writing and Reading now more than ever
3. Adopt arts as the next "R"
4. Blend Traditional and Emergin Literacies
5. Harness report and story.
6. Practive private and participatory social literacy
7. Develop Literacy with Digital Tools and about Digital Tools
8. Pursue Fluency
Just remember teachers are guides... "focus on expression first and technology second... and everything will fall into place."
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Digtial StoryTelling and Other Modes
There is always a point within your lesson, where a student recalls a moment in time; "One time, when my dog, who was white, ran away from home, but then he was found again in my neighbors yard and he was rolling around int he mud, and then my mom was really, really, really, mad, and then when we got home she put him in the tub to get him washed and then he shook all over and got soap and water everywhere, and mom said that I had to clean it up, so I did, and then my dog and I went to sleep all clean." We can and will always have these types of stories and you begin to look at the student in amazement, because you were talking about how white the snow is... it only takes one word for the student to latch onto and tell a story... it is that one word that the student has associated with that particular story that made it important. We do not know exactly know how the human mind stores information and how each student can retrieve a similar experience each in different ways, but they do and it is fascinting to watch their minds at work.
Storytelling is now enhanced to include a digital version (for example: PhotoStory)... A student can create a digital story thaat includes drawing or pictures in a cinematic way adding music, voice, and animation to make these stories like the one of the dog come to life for them. This is a great way to take their bookreports to a whole other level.... children will not see these projects as more homework, but as a means to really get involved and explore whats on THEIR minds in more detail. I had a project in my Literacy and Technology class, where the Professor required us to include a maximum of 10 pics... once I got intrenched in the project, I found that 10 pics wasn't enough to really tell the story they way I invisioned it... so I say so limit to the content, but maybe the length... you do need to get to math and social studies as some point in the day...
Another web2.0 source is Voicethread... This was a great tool to use because it allowed for the students to interact and share their thoughts and ideas of another students work... this is taking peer to peer evaluation to a whole new level. A teacher can create a Voicethread of lets say the bookreports for the month. They can take photos of each student and post them on the site... the students can then go on and say a short clip of what their book report was about... students can then visit each page and comment on that students presentation... in the end the student can then go into a self reflection or listen to the feedback... maybe someone says, I sit all the way in the back and I could not hear you... but the book looks interesting, now the student has a good point of reference when he/she makes their next bookreport to make a mental note... "can they hear me in the back?"
My only suggestion is that you treat these softwares with respect, the last thing you want is someone making a nasty or non-constructive comment about another student... teaching respect of technology and modeling it for the students is very important for each to get the most out of the enhancement.
Storytelling is now enhanced to include a digital version (for example: PhotoStory)... A student can create a digital story thaat includes drawing or pictures in a cinematic way adding music, voice, and animation to make these stories like the one of the dog come to life for them. This is a great way to take their bookreports to a whole other level.... children will not see these projects as more homework, but as a means to really get involved and explore whats on THEIR minds in more detail. I had a project in my Literacy and Technology class, where the Professor required us to include a maximum of 10 pics... once I got intrenched in the project, I found that 10 pics wasn't enough to really tell the story they way I invisioned it... so I say so limit to the content, but maybe the length... you do need to get to math and social studies as some point in the day...
Another web2.0 source is Voicethread... This was a great tool to use because it allowed for the students to interact and share their thoughts and ideas of another students work... this is taking peer to peer evaluation to a whole new level. A teacher can create a Voicethread of lets say the bookreports for the month. They can take photos of each student and post them on the site... the students can then go on and say a short clip of what their book report was about... students can then visit each page and comment on that students presentation... in the end the student can then go into a self reflection or listen to the feedback... maybe someone says, I sit all the way in the back and I could not hear you... but the book looks interesting, now the student has a good point of reference when he/she makes their next bookreport to make a mental note... "can they hear me in the back?"
My only suggestion is that you treat these softwares with respect, the last thing you want is someone making a nasty or non-constructive comment about another student... teaching respect of technology and modeling it for the students is very important for each to get the most out of the enhancement.
Levels of Instruction for any Teacher
Teachers should always find ways to improve themsleves as well as their lessons. As stated early in my blogs, teachers need to constantly improve on how they teach a grade or subject... or lesson... doing the same thing over and over again does not improve the teacher or the student. Think of it this way, if you were a Information Technology person working in Corporate America... Would your company still be working out of folders and paper... yes it works, but are we being competitative? Having worked for some large Investment Banks in the past, I can assure you, even if it works, it can always be better, faster, and more efficient. Education needs to take this type of mentality, just because the way you used to teach Math 10 years ago, resulted in many people who have graduated from highschool and on their way to college, doesn't mean that you should continue to teach it the same way. Now, you might be saying, if it isn't broke why fix it... I am not talking about the basic principles of teaching, you can only teach addition one way and one way only, I am talking about advancing that teaching to a level that will engage the students and make the year after even better. There are a number of Instructional philosophies out their and each one of them slightly overlap the other, so that the student is building a repitoire of ideas, philosophies, conceptual strengths and areas of development that they can continue to use as their educational career blossoms.
Direct Instruction: There is always room for direct instruction, but researchers are finding it that the "lecture" doesn't have to consume the entire 40 or 50 minute lesson. approximately 20% of the lesson should be direct instruction... this allows for the teacher to interact with the students either in a group setting or one on one instruction for heightened development. It also allows more time for students to ask questions... questioning brings out the curiosity in the student, there is not stupid questions, just the ones that go unasked.
Interactive Instruction: This is when the teacher is working within a group setting of students or on a one on one area... this invokes brainstorming and cooperative learning among classmates. Given a problem, then group must solve it with a variety of parts, the students then have the opportunity to brainstorm the problem.. highlighting developed areas of reasoning and problem-solving within the students mind.
Indirect Instruction: Lets take that same Problem that needed a solution, now the students can explain to the remainder of the class how they identified the problem, created a solution, possibly multiple solutions, the ways that they thought about the problem, and then the final solution that made the most sense and why... the digital storytelling is a great way for students to show how they went from start to finish and put together an example of their work. This is agreat for students who have a tendency to run on and on and on and on and on... like myself.
Independent Instruction: Research papers are now a thing of the past, sure you must beable to look up information on a particular subject, site sources, etc... but there is a better way to develop the insightfulness that students need...JOURNALING- again going back to their ability to question... why do we have strict guidelines on recycling in our neighborhood? These students were born into a generation where all of these things are what I like to call "Automatics." Its a given, just like when I was born, there was gas shortage... I didn't understand why, until I got further along into my school and we learned about OPEC and the problems that surmised from this creation. Journaling allows for the student in an open, judgement free area to question why things are the way they are, how they contribute to the topic in question and are there ways for them to change. It isn't always about learning their ABC's and their 123's its about these students becoming adults in a world that needs more people asking questions and finding solutions.
Experimetnal Instruction: We can all remember the days of the bunson burners and eye goggles, you were given a project to see how much heat is needed to melt something... we all remember this from chemistry... but we need to take this one step further, role playing and surverys are now in conjunction with these hands on approaches. Allowing students to survey if students like Taco Tuesdays or Fish Fridays is important for their social skills as well as their ability to collect data, organize, analyze, filter, hypothesize, and report on the results.
So now that we understand the new ways that we can add life to the standard way of teaching, you maybe asking yourself how can I create this in my classroom when my district is still caught in the Web 1.0 phase? Great questions: Let's say you do not have a large budget... there are so many free sites out their, really what you are investing is your time... but isn't that why we got into teaching, keep a binder of websites in the teachers lounge... use that as a first step, possibly another teacher came across a similar situation... if not once you have identified it... add it to the binder for other teachers to use. Second, collaborate with other teachers/grades... it is possible when you are in 3rd grade, much of the software may also be applied in fourth grade as well as fifth, etc... by collaborating you are creating a seemless transition from each grade for the students leveling their expectations as well as the parents expectations. You will find alot of the the textbooks that are being created will now have an alignment to technology... this will give any teacher a base to start their experiments on, but may also trigger something that the teacher has never thought of... in addition, your early mastery learners may also find this time to really expand on their knowledge... get them working too... they have great minds and make strike on something that you can expand on... you not only have them involved but now you have a new idea.
There are so many websites out their that if you are focusing the children on Informational Processing Methods or Social Interactive Methods, technology will not only make it easier, but it will enhance your lesson tenfold. It will also allow for you the teacher to find those precious few minutes that you so desperately beg for to work with the students that need your attention.
Direct Instruction: There is always room for direct instruction, but researchers are finding it that the "lecture" doesn't have to consume the entire 40 or 50 minute lesson. approximately 20% of the lesson should be direct instruction... this allows for the teacher to interact with the students either in a group setting or one on one instruction for heightened development. It also allows more time for students to ask questions... questioning brings out the curiosity in the student, there is not stupid questions, just the ones that go unasked.
Interactive Instruction: This is when the teacher is working within a group setting of students or on a one on one area... this invokes brainstorming and cooperative learning among classmates. Given a problem, then group must solve it with a variety of parts, the students then have the opportunity to brainstorm the problem.. highlighting developed areas of reasoning and problem-solving within the students mind.
Indirect Instruction: Lets take that same Problem that needed a solution, now the students can explain to the remainder of the class how they identified the problem, created a solution, possibly multiple solutions, the ways that they thought about the problem, and then the final solution that made the most sense and why... the digital storytelling is a great way for students to show how they went from start to finish and put together an example of their work. This is agreat for students who have a tendency to run on and on and on and on and on... like myself.
Independent Instruction: Research papers are now a thing of the past, sure you must beable to look up information on a particular subject, site sources, etc... but there is a better way to develop the insightfulness that students need...JOURNALING- again going back to their ability to question... why do we have strict guidelines on recycling in our neighborhood? These students were born into a generation where all of these things are what I like to call "Automatics." Its a given, just like when I was born, there was gas shortage... I didn't understand why, until I got further along into my school and we learned about OPEC and the problems that surmised from this creation. Journaling allows for the student in an open, judgement free area to question why things are the way they are, how they contribute to the topic in question and are there ways for them to change. It isn't always about learning their ABC's and their 123's its about these students becoming adults in a world that needs more people asking questions and finding solutions.
Experimetnal Instruction: We can all remember the days of the bunson burners and eye goggles, you were given a project to see how much heat is needed to melt something... we all remember this from chemistry... but we need to take this one step further, role playing and surverys are now in conjunction with these hands on approaches. Allowing students to survey if students like Taco Tuesdays or Fish Fridays is important for their social skills as well as their ability to collect data, organize, analyze, filter, hypothesize, and report on the results.
So now that we understand the new ways that we can add life to the standard way of teaching, you maybe asking yourself how can I create this in my classroom when my district is still caught in the Web 1.0 phase? Great questions: Let's say you do not have a large budget... there are so many free sites out their, really what you are investing is your time... but isn't that why we got into teaching, keep a binder of websites in the teachers lounge... use that as a first step, possibly another teacher came across a similar situation... if not once you have identified it... add it to the binder for other teachers to use. Second, collaborate with other teachers/grades... it is possible when you are in 3rd grade, much of the software may also be applied in fourth grade as well as fifth, etc... by collaborating you are creating a seemless transition from each grade for the students leveling their expectations as well as the parents expectations. You will find alot of the the textbooks that are being created will now have an alignment to technology... this will give any teacher a base to start their experiments on, but may also trigger something that the teacher has never thought of... in addition, your early mastery learners may also find this time to really expand on their knowledge... get them working too... they have great minds and make strike on something that you can expand on... you not only have them involved but now you have a new idea.
There are so many websites out their that if you are focusing the children on Informational Processing Methods or Social Interactive Methods, technology will not only make it easier, but it will enhance your lesson tenfold. It will also allow for you the teacher to find those precious few minutes that you so desperately beg for to work with the students that need your attention.
Instructional System Designs Develop a Teachers Pedagogy
All to often we as teachers (or those like myself future teachers) find outselves in a place where we need to learn more... there is something to be said of the addage; "It was a great day today, I learned something new." In the end, many of us fall short in this area, especially for the teacher that teaches the same grade year after year. Instructional Systems Designs allow for a teacher to apply a methodology be it within the classroom or in their own development. The simpliest method is called ADDIE: Analysis... Design... Development... Implementation... Evaluation...
When I first read this article I thought sounds like something that would be used in a Science class, than when I digested it a bit more I realized that it was not about the subject itslef, but how the teacher taught the subject. For example, let's say you are a Middle School History Teacher and you are looking for ways to increase the class participation within your classroom. I am not talking about the students that raise their hand all the time, they will always do that, but for the majority of the class... a teacher can apply this methodology to a number of teacher mechanisms or teaching strategies... it can be as simple as the delivery of the lesson or how the teacher presents the motivator or "hook" of the lesson... or the end of the unit project. Whatever it is that you are looking to change, you can apply this methodology for true feedback... there is no reason to change something and than continue to do it if it doesn't work. Your feedback could be from a colleague who you have asked to sit in on your class or it can be direct from the students in the form of a written or oral survey. Listen, listen, listen... not only to your students but yourself... you will know when something isn't working, you will not have every pair of eyes on you all the time.
When I first read this article I thought sounds like something that would be used in a Science class, than when I digested it a bit more I realized that it was not about the subject itslef, but how the teacher taught the subject. For example, let's say you are a Middle School History Teacher and you are looking for ways to increase the class participation within your classroom. I am not talking about the students that raise their hand all the time, they will always do that, but for the majority of the class... a teacher can apply this methodology to a number of teacher mechanisms or teaching strategies... it can be as simple as the delivery of the lesson or how the teacher presents the motivator or "hook" of the lesson... or the end of the unit project. Whatever it is that you are looking to change, you can apply this methodology for true feedback... there is no reason to change something and than continue to do it if it doesn't work. Your feedback could be from a colleague who you have asked to sit in on your class or it can be direct from the students in the form of a written or oral survey. Listen, listen, listen... not only to your students but yourself... you will know when something isn't working, you will not have every pair of eyes on you all the time.
You Tube Videos Within the Classroom
Remembering back when I was in elementary school, I will always remember when we had a slide to show for class. It was a series of pictures strung through on a film that was narrated by the teacher. As they became more advanced they would have words on the bottom of the film and the teacher would call upon someone to read it aloud, that was always the fun part, in addition to being the person who got to shut off the lights. Don't get me started when we actually had a movie film to show, that was a day from heaven. :-)
Now information, moving information, current information, is at everyone's finger tips with the creation of YouTube and many other interactive websites that show movies... Just a few tips to maeke the experience enjoyable...
1. Make sure the source is reliable and has been viewed in full by the teacher before showing it to the class.
2. Make sure the source is reliable and has been viewed in full by the teacher before showing it to the class. (I repeat this for a reason... anyone and everyone can post something to YouTube, so if you are going to show it in your classroom you must make sure that it is authentic and that it gives the correct information.)
No one wants to get introuble for showing something that is inappropriate...
Now information, moving information, current information, is at everyone's finger tips with the creation of YouTube and many other interactive websites that show movies... Just a few tips to maeke the experience enjoyable...
1. Make sure the source is reliable and has been viewed in full by the teacher before showing it to the class.
2. Make sure the source is reliable and has been viewed in full by the teacher before showing it to the class. (I repeat this for a reason... anyone and everyone can post something to YouTube, so if you are going to show it in your classroom you must make sure that it is authentic and that it gives the correct information.)
No one wants to get introuble for showing something that is inappropriate...
New Online Softwares to Use within your Teaching Career
With the ever expangin World Wide Web... more more we find the use of new online softwares that are free or have a minimal charge for teachers and students alike to use within the classroom. These softwares allow (especially the student) to be as creative as possible and really get into the homework or projects. The children that we teach today are of a different generation, a "Digital Generation" than many of us are used to. Not to date myself, but I didn't get my first cell phone until the mid 90's... and I was in my early 20's... today in the third grade classroom that I teach in... almost everyone has a cell phone, ipod, DS, PSP, or some other device with a crazy initial sequence. Some of the softwares that I have tried and have really enjoyed are the following:
Del.icio.us: Social Bookmarking Website, which allows a person to bookmark a site that they have been to or one that they want to remember for future use. I like the fact that you can share bookmarks with friends and colleagues as well as house everything under one software. Many email sites, like AOL or Google have something similiar but not as extensive as Delicious. The only thing that I would like to see updated is the ability to create folders. I know as a Graduate Student, I can be working on two-three papers at one time and organizing my research a little more would be extremly helpful.
Diigo: This in conjunction with the above site really gives students a leg up on research and information on the World Wide Web. This gives anyone the ability to highlight text within articles or on webpages so that if and when you return to the article, you can go directly to that section. In addition, teachers can use this as a means to teach students how to draw out important information within a text rather than coloring the whole page yellow.
Slideshare: Is a step up from Powerpoint. This makes any class presentation come to life. There is something for an elementary school student building a diarama for a story that he or she read, or creating a drawing by hand to describe the story that they have just written. But this takes those thoughts one step further. Definitely, great for those collaboration projects... as well as enhancing audience presentations (this allows the students to focus on the content/information being presented, rather than the cardboard box that they are holding.) A student can be as creative as he/she wants to be, by adding music and special effects to jazz it up.
Mind-Mapping: I have used this in a few of my own school projects and what an easy tool to use and its free. This website takes the graphic organizer to a whole different level. It allows you to create flow charts and room to add additional information (especially for those students that are having trouble taking or organizing their daily classroom notes.) Definitely one to use as often as possible. You can also allow the students to use it to create study guides that are interactive and re-emphasizes the information taught.
Del.icio.us: Social Bookmarking Website, which allows a person to bookmark a site that they have been to or one that they want to remember for future use. I like the fact that you can share bookmarks with friends and colleagues as well as house everything under one software. Many email sites, like AOL or Google have something similiar but not as extensive as Delicious. The only thing that I would like to see updated is the ability to create folders. I know as a Graduate Student, I can be working on two-three papers at one time and organizing my research a little more would be extremly helpful.
Diigo: This in conjunction with the above site really gives students a leg up on research and information on the World Wide Web. This gives anyone the ability to highlight text within articles or on webpages so that if and when you return to the article, you can go directly to that section. In addition, teachers can use this as a means to teach students how to draw out important information within a text rather than coloring the whole page yellow.
Slideshare: Is a step up from Powerpoint. This makes any class presentation come to life. There is something for an elementary school student building a diarama for a story that he or she read, or creating a drawing by hand to describe the story that they have just written. But this takes those thoughts one step further. Definitely, great for those collaboration projects... as well as enhancing audience presentations (this allows the students to focus on the content/information being presented, rather than the cardboard box that they are holding.) A student can be as creative as he/she wants to be, by adding music and special effects to jazz it up.
Mind-Mapping: I have used this in a few of my own school projects and what an easy tool to use and its free. This website takes the graphic organizer to a whole different level. It allows you to create flow charts and room to add additional information (especially for those students that are having trouble taking or organizing their daily classroom notes.) Definitely one to use as often as possible. You can also allow the students to use it to create study guides that are interactive and re-emphasizes the information taught.
Diigo: Web 2.0 Bookmarking
Diigo is a great new software that makes it easier for students and teachers to go through text and highlight the key points within thousands of articles. It will also print out with the text with the highlighting already done for you. This is a great tool for two reason: one it allows for the teacher to teach how to pull out information within online texts by showing numerous examples of how it is done, also it avoids students who are younger to wearing the highlighter all over their hands... you would be surprised how many 4th graders still like to draw on themselves.
This is great for middle school/high school children as they need to beable to site even more sources for research papers with ease and timeliness.
My only concern are for those (like myself) who are still eyeglass wearers... too many hours in front of the computer can really cause havac on the eye's strain.
This is great for middle school/high school children as they need to beable to site even more sources for research papers with ease and timeliness.
My only concern are for those (like myself) who are still eyeglass wearers... too many hours in front of the computer can really cause havac on the eye's strain.
A Paradigm Shift within the Classroom Web 2.0
There is something to be said for students work to go home to their parents with a letter or number grade on it so it can be hung on the refrigerator as if it was a Picasso or something. Now teachers have another way that they can showcase their students work with the use of many Web2.0 tools. One way that it can be done is for the class as a whole to create PB Wiki page, where their work can be highlighted along with their classmates or possibly to have the students create a personal blog that will grow with them over the career as a student. This is an amazing time that we live in, where technology grows every second of the day, we need to embrace it... so as a future educator employ everyone who can turn on a computer, to incorporate this into their curriculum and school day. It will make it that much easier for students grow with each passing year. A plus for parents, you will not feel guilty for throwing out their first art project or their first science test. :-)
Assessmenta and the ways technology makes it authentic and smart
Assessments have been a mainstream method of determining a students comprehension, understanding of a specific subject matter, as well as areas of improvement. This is all well in good, however in today's world students need to be stimulated beyond the pencil and piece of paper. Essays with a simple question are good, but allowing students to reflect on a picture of a mainstream video and then allowing them to write based on what they have just seen, reflecting on the teachers lectures will only further allow for the development of inference and genuine understand, aside from memorizing definitions and notes from a classroom. Allowing students to apply real life scenarios as in the essay question I posed in my quiz, children ice skating and children swimming (two cartoon pcitures) will allow for a student to infere the differences in the property of water and how each are different based on the atmospheric temperature.
There are so many advantages to technology for each student population that a teacher needs to address within his/her classroom. For example, a student with a severe physical disability can use with his/her mind answer the questions (with training of course) questions on their own... (as seen in a recent episode of "House") This type of technology though very expensive gives students the freedom to be involved and to feel like they can do it...alone.
My one and only draw back is when partial credit could be awarded to a student, since technology is only programmable, unless you had a siftware that could highlight a variety of words that you hope is within a written essay, this area of the assessment might require a teacher to be subjective with the information, since synonyms and use of grammar, sentence structure, and thought structure is completely interpretative.
There are so many advantages to technology for each student population that a teacher needs to address within his/her classroom. For example, a student with a severe physical disability can use with his/her mind answer the questions (with training of course) questions on their own... (as seen in a recent episode of "House") This type of technology though very expensive gives students the freedom to be involved and to feel like they can do it...alone.
My one and only draw back is when partial credit could be awarded to a student, since technology is only programmable, unless you had a siftware that could highlight a variety of words that you hope is within a written essay, this area of the assessment might require a teacher to be subjective with the information, since synonyms and use of grammar, sentence structure, and thought structure is completely interpretative.
HA6: Create a Quiz using ProProfs.com
This week in our Higher Achieving Assignment we created a quiz using a Web 2.0 module ProProfs.com. This site allowed for you to create two types of quizes, the standard educational, along with a personality quiz, which could be used as an entry quiz as an "interactive Get to know the Student" type of activity, where the teacher can reflect on certain things within this quiz and use it as a beginning of each students personal profile of likes and dislikes. Create the standard educational quiz was very easy and user friendly. It allowed for three types of questions; multiple choice, fill in the blank, and essay. The answers response (where appropriate) allowed for multiple types of answers that would be given, however unless the student words it exactly in the way that you list it in the answers, the question is marked incorrect, when in many cases partial credit maybe awarded if not full credit based on the child vocabulary and choice of explanation. This is particular in those students that are in Special Education and ELL (since only 5 alternat choices are allowed.) Aside from the above, the only other draw back that I noticed that there wasn't a section for a teacher to include a word bank. This is very important especially in the younger grades when spelling counts. Overall, I found it to be quick and easy, but eventually I believe that many teachers will eventaully outgrow this software when they get the hang of writing and creating quizzes or tests.
Assignment H6: Engrade.com
This weeks assignment allowed us to use a Web 2.0 module that was free to teachers, administrators, and parents to view their studnets acheivements, grades, and assignments. I thoroughly enjoyed this website, with a few minor changes. First creating an account was very easy. In addition, creating a school roster and making changes was not difficult at all. The website is strong and very useful from the novice to the most experienced teacher. First it is interactive, allowing for parents to view assignments that have not ben completed or to inquire on their students achievements or areas that they need to focus on, this is allowed with the use of a special code. Second, for the household that has two parents busy, when a student is home from school sick, parents can log on and obtain the homework and assignments that were discussed and due for the next school day, encouraging students not to fall behind or have to double up on work. (a side note: for parents that have travel/vacation (non-excused absense) they are able to get the homework again preventing the child from falling behind.) Third, the ease of the software, it is simple and not difficult for the person that has trouble with technology. Fourth, I love the feature print missing work, this is great for students who need development on turning their homework in on time. This allows parents to monitor their students work habits and make efforts at home to encourage that the homework is completed on a timely basis. Far too many parents find out during their progress reports and then want a list of missing assignments, this is time consuming and unnecessary with this software. For the areas that I found in need of improvement; first I was unable to find a section that allows for the administrator/teacher to add more fields to choose from 8 just isn't enough. Second, I would prefer to have a grade book for each subject to keep things in order rather than by date (or atleast have access to both). Third, the comment section should be a little more developed... rather than just citizenship, which I believe is meant to be class participation... If a student, John is having difficulty with visualizing fractions and shading them accordingly, the teacher can make a comment about that allow for additional remediation for at home and at school. Also with tests and quizzes, if there was a concept that was not grasped the teacher can give some detailed information that the student needs to work on in order to ensure the understanding of the material. Fourth, since this is an interactive tool, having a blog or informational posting would be helpful to keep parents informed on what lies ahead over the course of the next week or two so students and parents can prepare accordingly; "Science Projects Due on "Xfuture Date" or "the Social Studies test has been moved to next Thursday."
Sunday, February 15, 2009
2007 National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS-S)
The six (6) National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS-S) for 2007 are:
1. Creativity and Innovation
2. Communication and Collaboration
3. Research and Information Fluency
4. Critical thinking, Problem Solving, & Decision Making
5. Digital Citizenship
6. Technology Operations and Concepts
Of the six (6) technologies those that are well met within the classroom today are 1, 2, and 6. With the amount of information out their on the internet most teachers can create a lesson plan on just about anything with the assistance of the internet and various technologies tools available, provided that the school has the budget and willingness to include such things within the curriculum. However for the sake of this blog, we will assume that the cooperation of all invested parties is their as well as the cost to faciliate this integration of technology within the classroom. Of the 6 however, I believe that we can reach 3 and 5 with practice, the more frequently we incorporate technology in our day to day classroom curriculum them more we will reach the "fluency" within the standards.
The one though that stands out the most as being the most difficult and creates concern of my ability or readiness to meet this standard as a future educator is #4:
http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007.htm
4.Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students:
a. identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation.
b. plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.
c. collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.
d. use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions.
This is something that needs to be thoroughly taught to students as well as educating the parents in how this hidden curriculum will be addressed. This is not something that we will beable to address with each lesson, however any good teacher knows that problem solving for the furutre is extremely critical, as well as critical thinking what I like to think of as "thinking outside the box" and decision making, how does a student choose responsibly? These are all concepts that need to be addressed with the student. This will be difficult and resistance may be inevidable, however we must continue to plug along and develop the students in such a way, not only to prepare them for the the future, but also prepare them for everyday life. These core foundations, which truly havenot changed in over the last few centuries, just needs to be addressed to meet the generation that will be affected the most. Technology is changing at the speed of lightning, we need to provide our students with the tools to meet those changes.
1. Creativity and Innovation
2. Communication and Collaboration
3. Research and Information Fluency
4. Critical thinking, Problem Solving, & Decision Making
5. Digital Citizenship
6. Technology Operations and Concepts
Of the six (6) technologies those that are well met within the classroom today are 1, 2, and 6. With the amount of information out their on the internet most teachers can create a lesson plan on just about anything with the assistance of the internet and various technologies tools available, provided that the school has the budget and willingness to include such things within the curriculum. However for the sake of this blog, we will assume that the cooperation of all invested parties is their as well as the cost to faciliate this integration of technology within the classroom. Of the 6 however, I believe that we can reach 3 and 5 with practice, the more frequently we incorporate technology in our day to day classroom curriculum them more we will reach the "fluency" within the standards.
The one though that stands out the most as being the most difficult and creates concern of my ability or readiness to meet this standard as a future educator is #4:
http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007.htm
4.Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students:
a. identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation.
b. plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.
c. collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.
d. use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions.
This is something that needs to be thoroughly taught to students as well as educating the parents in how this hidden curriculum will be addressed. This is not something that we will beable to address with each lesson, however any good teacher knows that problem solving for the furutre is extremely critical, as well as critical thinking what I like to think of as "thinking outside the box" and decision making, how does a student choose responsibly? These are all concepts that need to be addressed with the student. This will be difficult and resistance may be inevidable, however we must continue to plug along and develop the students in such a way, not only to prepare them for the the future, but also prepare them for everyday life. These core foundations, which truly havenot changed in over the last few centuries, just needs to be addressed to meet the generation that will be affected the most. Technology is changing at the speed of lightning, we need to provide our students with the tools to meet those changes.
Internet Safety
More and more we find ourselves faced with challenges beit within the classroom or outside of the classroom. Internet Piracy is one of the areas that certainly concerns me as well as many others. How can I as a future eductor protect my students from those that look to feed off of those that are innocent?
One way is teaching responsibility within the classroom, acceptable practices both agreed upon by parents, administrators, teachers, and students in order to manage themselves online in order to further develop the Digital Generation. One website that I found to be extremely helpful in allowing educators as well as parents, law enforcements, and those looking to protect our students from those looking to prey on the innocent to reach this goal is through http://www.wiredkids.org/ . This website is set up for any age group to keep children safe online. It is written in a way that would be engaging to students (catering to those in their teens and under.) It also has an advice column managed by the students to other students, similiar to that of a peer to peer.
Another website that was very interesting was http://www.safekids.com/. This website tended to be towards the parents and the active participation of families on the internet. Posting responsibly is one of the things that the site really focuses on. It also help parents to enlist tools and web chats with other parents to ensure their childs safety.
But more importantly; parents and teachers need to continue to keep the line of communication open. All to often in our busy days, parents tend to overlook the face to face time with their children. Start the practice now and make it part of their everyday occurence, not just when there is something that "needs" to be discussed. Open family discussions should be as easy as getting online... 1....2.....3....
One way is teaching responsibility within the classroom, acceptable practices both agreed upon by parents, administrators, teachers, and students in order to manage themselves online in order to further develop the Digital Generation. One website that I found to be extremely helpful in allowing educators as well as parents, law enforcements, and those looking to protect our students from those looking to prey on the innocent to reach this goal is through http://www.wiredkids.org/ . This website is set up for any age group to keep children safe online. It is written in a way that would be engaging to students (catering to those in their teens and under.) It also has an advice column managed by the students to other students, similiar to that of a peer to peer.
Another website that was very interesting was http://www.safekids.com/. This website tended to be towards the parents and the active participation of families on the internet. Posting responsibly is one of the things that the site really focuses on. It also help parents to enlist tools and web chats with other parents to ensure their childs safety.
But more importantly; parents and teachers need to continue to keep the line of communication open. All to often in our busy days, parents tend to overlook the face to face time with their children. Start the practice now and make it part of their everyday occurence, not just when there is something that "needs" to be discussed. Open family discussions should be as easy as getting online... 1....2.....3....
Digitial Generation... Dig Gen Kids
I have had the unique experience to grow up in a generation that has seen amazing things, technological things grow into what they are today. My generation had the first introduction to home arcade games such as pong and asteroids from Atari. My generation saw the first home computer enter into the mainstream at a wopping $7,000 dollars per unit. I have also see those same computers enter the classrooms for the first time. Twenty years ago, I could not have imagined where we are today and for that matter where we will be tomorrow. I thoroughly enjoy the benefits of tecnology and everything that makes my life simplier, however there is a part of me that believes that with this technology a certain level of responsibility must be attached, both personally as well as in the classroom. Things move at the speed of lightning now a days, nothing is ever taken in stride. As a future teacher, especially in the elementary grades, it is important to share with your students the importance of both technology and non-technology applications. That there is a balance between the two of them and as a person of this digital age we need respect this. Now I foresee this to be harder than it seems, since the children that are in the classroom now and those future students, they do not know anything else but what is currently in advanced technology. The first PC that I spoke about earlier, is nothing but a box with a screen and an adnormally sized keyboard. Encouraging students to participate in other mediums of communication will be equally as important as text messaging or online chatting. It is important to ensure that the students of today and tomorrow have the basis of intellect that I, my parents, or my gradnparents were exposed too... this hopefully create symmetry within the educational curriculum.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Technology and Education
Technology is an absolute necessity... in everday life, but more importantly within the classroom. We live in a time where technology is the cornerstone of everything from paying bills online, to checking our bank statements, and to an automated phone service, technology is cpnstantly moving forward and in order for our children/students to be as knowledgeable, we must move along with technology within the classroom as well. Technology is as important as anything else that is taught within the classroom and we should look for more ways to incorporate technology as an everday occurance, as opposed to using it as a motivator or saved for "special projects." Do not turn away from technology, embrace it and try to incorporate it in every lesson, it may be the one student on the back that surprises you the most that succeeds with technology.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Music Therapy
I have the fortunate opporunity to work in an actual school while attending classes for my Masters in Elementary Education/Special Education. There have been studies that suggest that music can tame the savage beast. There are some contemporary beliefs within a professional therapeutic setting where music is used to ease aggression, fears, and the common headache. But like many contemporary theories, can music really tame the savage beast in all of us?
It would seem yes, but since this is just a theory it does create some speculation until now. I have a student within school that has some hyperactivity as well as aggression. I have recently begin to see with a new Christmas gift, an MP3 player that when he is allowed to use it during indoor recess, he is much more focused and alert during his afternoon subjects. He quietly sits at his desk listening, with the occassional friend approaching him to hear what he is listening too. When recess is over, I quietly stand in front of him to let him know that recess is over, he never fights me to have more time nor is he too excited for me to attempt to calm down. I believe that there maybe some real potential for this within the classroom. Whether it is during recess with a amplified system or a child is allowed to have one during supervised, non class time is the question. Without a ton of research it seems that the child he tends to learn in an auditor capacity may find the music soothing and calming.
Step 2: find out what is on his MP3 player.
To Be Continued...
It would seem yes, but since this is just a theory it does create some speculation until now. I have a student within school that has some hyperactivity as well as aggression. I have recently begin to see with a new Christmas gift, an MP3 player that when he is allowed to use it during indoor recess, he is much more focused and alert during his afternoon subjects. He quietly sits at his desk listening, with the occassional friend approaching him to hear what he is listening too. When recess is over, I quietly stand in front of him to let him know that recess is over, he never fights me to have more time nor is he too excited for me to attempt to calm down. I believe that there maybe some real potential for this within the classroom. Whether it is during recess with a amplified system or a child is allowed to have one during supervised, non class time is the question. Without a ton of research it seems that the child he tends to learn in an auditor capacity may find the music soothing and calming.
Step 2: find out what is on his MP3 player.
To Be Continued...
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Multi-Cultural Project Proposal for HS Students
This is a Graduate Class Project Only
Dear High School Parents,
It is with great pleasure that I announce the addition of several new classes that will be added to our 2009-2010 course selection as Electives in a variety of areas such as Foreign Languages, Home Economics, History, and English. This new subject matter is focused on the diversity within our community as well as our country. Our approach is two fold to introduce a multi-cultural presence within our student body as well courses to allow each student, if they so choose, to enhance their understanding of a new culture.
The board has increased our Foreign Languages to include Mandarin, Cantonese, and Russian which will be added over the next two years. Our history department has added the following electives for students to choose from: Latin American Studies 1 and 2, African Civilizations 1 and 2, and Asian Dynasties 1 and 2; with “1” classes being offered only in the fall and “2” only being offered in the Spring, exceeding New York State Requirements for outlined curriculum with an award of one half credit for each class. Our English department has partnered up with our History department and we are pleased to announce the compliment English courses to the above History courses for student students to choose. These classes are only offered during the “2nd” session and are only during the Spring as a semester long class being awarded a half credit.
The most innovative of our additions (and the one that I am most proud of) is the revitalization of our Home Economics department which has now become “the Cuisine and Culture Department: A mix of culinary expertise with a splash of concepts within each distinct culture. These classes are offered as a quarter elective and will explore not only recipes of the studies are, but will also explore family traditions and customs of the area studied. These classes are made available in the following sequence (recommendation is a 2 year sequence with strong consideration for those to enter into the Culinary field.) First year: Italian, Irish, Greek, and French Cuisine. Second year: African, Latin, Eastern European (Czech, Russian, and Polish Cuisine) and Asian Cuisine. A scholarship has been procured for a graduating senior in the amount of $2,500.00 as an entering freshman into a 2 year culinary institution. This program is with the assistance of the Culinary Institute of America (where their students become our student teachers.)
We must continue to grow and expand ourselves in every way we possibly can, these courses will allow us to give our students an opportunity to expand themselves as well. In addition, we are bringing back our Summer Exchange Program to the following countries: Ireland, Italy, France, Spain, Hong Kong* and Africa*. We hope that all students with a grade point average of 85 or higher will make their application for a 6 week journey beyond our borders.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me office at your convenience. I hope everyone is as excited as I am about these new changes and truly hope that this is just the beginning of more things to come.
Dear High School Parents,
It is with great pleasure that I announce the addition of several new classes that will be added to our 2009-2010 course selection as Electives in a variety of areas such as Foreign Languages, Home Economics, History, and English. This new subject matter is focused on the diversity within our community as well as our country. Our approach is two fold to introduce a multi-cultural presence within our student body as well courses to allow each student, if they so choose, to enhance their understanding of a new culture.
The board has increased our Foreign Languages to include Mandarin, Cantonese, and Russian which will be added over the next two years. Our history department has added the following electives for students to choose from: Latin American Studies 1 and 2, African Civilizations 1 and 2, and Asian Dynasties 1 and 2; with “1” classes being offered only in the fall and “2” only being offered in the Spring, exceeding New York State Requirements for outlined curriculum with an award of one half credit for each class. Our English department has partnered up with our History department and we are pleased to announce the compliment English courses to the above History courses for student students to choose. These classes are only offered during the “2nd” session and are only during the Spring as a semester long class being awarded a half credit.
The most innovative of our additions (and the one that I am most proud of) is the revitalization of our Home Economics department which has now become “the Cuisine and Culture Department: A mix of culinary expertise with a splash of concepts within each distinct culture. These classes are offered as a quarter elective and will explore not only recipes of the studies are, but will also explore family traditions and customs of the area studied. These classes are made available in the following sequence (recommendation is a 2 year sequence with strong consideration for those to enter into the Culinary field.) First year: Italian, Irish, Greek, and French Cuisine. Second year: African, Latin, Eastern European (Czech, Russian, and Polish Cuisine) and Asian Cuisine. A scholarship has been procured for a graduating senior in the amount of $2,500.00 as an entering freshman into a 2 year culinary institution. This program is with the assistance of the Culinary Institute of America (where their students become our student teachers.)
We must continue to grow and expand ourselves in every way we possibly can, these courses will allow us to give our students an opportunity to expand themselves as well. In addition, we are bringing back our Summer Exchange Program to the following countries: Ireland, Italy, France, Spain, Hong Kong* and Africa*. We hope that all students with a grade point average of 85 or higher will make their application for a 6 week journey beyond our borders.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me office at your convenience. I hope everyone is as excited as I am about these new changes and truly hope that this is just the beginning of more things to come.
Technology creates Connections
It is easier said than done (in the years past) to say, "Lets stay in touch." Far to often we get caught up in the everyday shuffle of life and proclaim at the end of the day, I will call tomorrow. Then tomorrow turns into a month, which turns into a year and then all of a sudden you realize that its just been way too long to call now and then a very promising friendship or any relationship fades into the night. Well I have to say, that is no longer the problem now with Facebook (I completely sound like a late night infomercial) but it is true. I have reconnected with friends that I can not say that I would have ever bumped into on the streets of life. So reaise your glasses everyone to Technology. It is sometimes feared because it seems complicated and other times it is revered as the greatest thing next to sliced bread.
Do not fear the unknown... it is always changing and one who is able to change with it will get the prize inside the cracker jack box. Go with it... incorporate it into your everyday life... you can not hide from it any longer it is here... so get it involved with the children in your classroom... bring it out into the open... and if you do not know something become the student again and find out how... then you can say, I learned something today.
Do not fear the unknown... it is always changing and one who is able to change with it will get the prize inside the cracker jack box. Go with it... incorporate it into your everyday life... you can not hide from it any longer it is here... so get it involved with the children in your classroom... bring it out into the open... and if you do not know something become the student again and find out how... then you can say, I learned something today.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Reflection
More and more we seem to lack the ability to self reflect. It truly is difficulty as humans to point out the areas that you wish you had done better in or had tackled different versus praising oneself for a job well done. One of the classes that I currently take requires just that, self-reflection accompanied with peer evaluation. This weeks assignment I had to truly look at myself hard and realize that I fell short in my responsibilities. Not that I did not complete my part of the project, but when you work within a group it isn't just about doing the work, it is the exploration with your group that gets you to your final destination or project. I missed out on one of the meetings, which means that I was not there for my group. I now slap myself on the wrist.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Nature of Schools
As a future educator one of the things that I must do is to first begin with educating myself. Attending a College or University that works for you is an absolute must, if you do not like it for any reason, you will not get what you need or desire out of the experience. I know this fro personal experience and made it a point when I decided to return many years later to make sure that the school fit me as well as I fit it.
On my journey, there are many classes (required and elected) that I will be taking, one of them is a class classed Nature of Schools which is a philosophical journey of what the Educational system is as a whole, while exploring up and coming trends. These trends can be something as simple as integrating technology (I say simple because we live in an age where everyone has a cell phone) or as thought provoking as keeping an open mind between the traditional methods of teaching, versus those that are much more controversial such as homeschooling.
The class offers an exploration of these different topics, plus the added bonus, each student within the class brings a different position or thought on the same topic, which creates an entirely new level of thinking. More importantly the format that is used is completely "high-tech" so in addition to the material, this forces those that are not so technologically advanced to continue to stretch themselves in their own personal learning and growth.
It is hard to say that one can learn alot of the class, yes there was a great deal of information that was provided and a considerable amount of reading and research. But like anything else the information and theories will change again before I reach the classroom. I believe that the information that I did get from this class was how to obtain new information, keep on top of current trends, how to navigate the information and apply what is pertinent to the classroom, eliminate opinions that have not educational merit, along with a wide variety of technology applications that I had not heard of prior to taking the class.
The class was fun and engaging, meeting furture colleagues that natural became friends was the cherry on top and since the College has a moderate staff, I know that I will take another class with Dr. Smirnova again and I welcome the chance.
On my journey, there are many classes (required and elected) that I will be taking, one of them is a class classed Nature of Schools which is a philosophical journey of what the Educational system is as a whole, while exploring up and coming trends. These trends can be something as simple as integrating technology (I say simple because we live in an age where everyone has a cell phone) or as thought provoking as keeping an open mind between the traditional methods of teaching, versus those that are much more controversial such as homeschooling.
The class offers an exploration of these different topics, plus the added bonus, each student within the class brings a different position or thought on the same topic, which creates an entirely new level of thinking. More importantly the format that is used is completely "high-tech" so in addition to the material, this forces those that are not so technologically advanced to continue to stretch themselves in their own personal learning and growth.
It is hard to say that one can learn alot of the class, yes there was a great deal of information that was provided and a considerable amount of reading and research. But like anything else the information and theories will change again before I reach the classroom. I believe that the information that I did get from this class was how to obtain new information, keep on top of current trends, how to navigate the information and apply what is pertinent to the classroom, eliminate opinions that have not educational merit, along with a wide variety of technology applications that I had not heard of prior to taking the class.
The class was fun and engaging, meeting furture colleagues that natural became friends was the cherry on top and since the College has a moderate staff, I know that I will take another class with Dr. Smirnova again and I welcome the chance.
What if?
I have been contemplating the idea of the What if... ? scenario. Everyone has a sense of the What if...? situations, we face them everyday, both personally as well as professionally. I personally have lived by the philoshophy "Participate, not Anticipate!" What does this mean; it means that I want to participate in life and whatever it throws my way, rather than anticipate what may or may not happen.
So I am not back to the What if...? scenario. I am wondering if my lifes philosophy will be as applicable in the teaching profession as it may with other professions? Don't get me wrong, I sometimes get caught up with the hamster who is spinning upstairs in the brain and over think things; what I am getting at is, How will I make sure that I am well prepared for those What if... moments and will I manage them effectively. Dealing with adults is very different than dealing with children and somehow I feel extra concerned for their well being than I may have in my previous career life.
It is possible that pondering this question, creates a sense of loyaty to the position, it really allows me to look at myself as being as prepared as one can be. I just do not want it to become a wall that I am unable to climb or for that matter fearful of climbing.
So I am not back to the What if...? scenario. I am wondering if my lifes philosophy will be as applicable in the teaching profession as it may with other professions? Don't get me wrong, I sometimes get caught up with the hamster who is spinning upstairs in the brain and over think things; what I am getting at is, How will I make sure that I am well prepared for those What if... moments and will I manage them effectively. Dealing with adults is very different than dealing with children and somehow I feel extra concerned for their well being than I may have in my previous career life.
It is possible that pondering this question, creates a sense of loyaty to the position, it really allows me to look at myself as being as prepared as one can be. I just do not want it to become a wall that I am unable to climb or for that matter fearful of climbing.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The Ups and Downs
Any profession can have it share of "ups and downs," but it only takes one down to set you on a path upwards. I was reminded of this recently when a friend (previous colleague) informed me that he had been laid off from work. It is not a good feeling, even though everyone in their life time will have experienced this themselves or know someone close that will. I too was laid off from my employer approximately 2 years ago and now I look back on the last two years in amazement. I offered words of understanding and empathy and simply said, "look for the road less traveled, it is the one that will get you where you want to be."
I think back on the night that I decided to not go back into Finance and decided to take the road less traveled. It seemed like I made the decision in less than a minute, but thinking back it was a decision that I had contimplated for years. It took my "layoff" to set me out on my journey. And well the last 2 years have been something else, in fact it has shown me more now than in past years or situations, how much drive I truly have to succeed. I can not say that I will be good at everything, who could; but what I can say is that I have truly learned a lot in these 2 years, not only in practical use within the classroom, but also about myself. A journey that I have started but not completed and truthfully don't care where I am at on this path, just as long as I am here.
I think back on the night that I decided to not go back into Finance and decided to take the road less traveled. It seemed like I made the decision in less than a minute, but thinking back it was a decision that I had contimplated for years. It took my "layoff" to set me out on my journey. And well the last 2 years have been something else, in fact it has shown me more now than in past years or situations, how much drive I truly have to succeed. I can not say that I will be good at everything, who could; but what I can say is that I have truly learned a lot in these 2 years, not only in practical use within the classroom, but also about myself. A journey that I have started but not completed and truthfully don't care where I am at on this path, just as long as I am here.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Future School Project
"As the teacher compliments the student, technology compliments the subject." Something that came off the top of my head, but reallyhad me thinking how true this statement really is... and how important it is for teachers to grasp this concept sooner than later. As we are full swing into the 21st Century, the differences in my elementary education experience are very different from that of my third class now. Embracing these changes are important. When I tell the kids stories of what it was like "back in the day" which was the 80's not that long ago... they are amazed by the fact that we did not have cell phones nor did we have computers until the mid 80's. These distinctions are going to be there for this class as well, except it will not be 1 to 2 decades, it will be like 2 to 4 years.
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