How do you recap a whole course about Web 2.0 and the many amazing technology resources that are out there in one concise blog entry? WOW! I have learned so much this semester! Sometimes it has felt like we were going Mach 3 with our hair on fire, and I have had concerns about how well this all would "stick with me" as I ventured forth. However in the reflections we have had to do recently, I have realized that I have assimilated much more than I realized. As I was writing the unit lesson plan for our culminating project in this course, I realized that these tools will be an integral part of what I want to do in class next year. This course has prepared me to be a better professional by learning about the tools available to increase my knowledge and skills in the teaching profession, and it has also made me a more effective teacher in the field, because I have learned some great ways to integrate technology into my lessons to increase the relevance, authenticity, and critical thinking skills necessary in today's 21st century classroom.
I am a lifelong learner, because I am constantly working on bettering myself as a teacher and professional. Professional development opportunities are very important to me, and I feel that teachers should be role models and leaders in committing to continued learning. Therefore, tools like Delicious tagging, Twitter, Ning, Classroom 2.0 and all the Google products assist me in enhancing what I know and am able to do. I can look to Twitter, Ning, and Classroom 2.0 as avenues to share knowledge back and forth with colleagues across the globe. And I can use Delicious and the many Google products to assist me in storing and accessing my information readily. I love the fact that I can save information and back up all my important documents in the cloud, so in the event of a dire emergency like a computer crash or a lost jump drive, I have no worries. I can simply access the cloud for my documents and other information. These tools make my job easier, so I am all for them!
I try to be a creative, cutting-edge kind of teacher, because I feel that my students appreciate this effort, and I feel that if I can approach content in novel ways, my students will commit what they learn to LONG TERM memory. And isn't that what we want? Technology helps to get me there. Not only are the technology tools on Web 2.0 engaging for students, I feel these tools, if properly integrated, are available to ensure students learn content at higher, more rigorous levels. Frankly, I think there should be an entire class about writing curriculum to meet higher LOTI levels, because one of two things can happen with this new technology. One, teachers will use the technology as bells and whistles, neglecting to embed meaningful connections into curriculum, or two, teachers will use technology as a means of bringing better understanding, of connecting with the world and celebrating the Age of Knowledge Sharing. Students can use technology to make a difference in the world and to approach content in new and innovative ways, thus creating more knowledge, new knowledge, and better knowledge. Suddenly learning becomes important. Pivotal. Relevant. And students will flourish under such positive influences as these.
Hence, tools like Wikis, Flickr, Voicethread, Blogs, Screencasts, and Podcasts, when properly and meaningfully integrated, take on great importance as tools which can transform kids from apathy to passion, from boredom to effervescence, from the ordinary to the extraordinary. So my next steps deal with creation and integration. Since we will be writing all new units for the Common Core, I intend to make technology a component to every unit I do. I will start the year off by introducing wikis and Edmodo first and foremost. These will be foundational tools for us to use throughout the year. As I plan each unit, being certain to embed all essential components of depth, complexity, rigor, and differentiation, I will be sure that the technology tools that I select will enrich the learning experience for students, helping to make their learning memorable, relevant, and engaging. Technology in the 21st Century Classroom has the power to change the lives of our students for the best, and I intend to make it a priority in what I do. It is my hope that by setting a good example and being a good technology leader, other teachers will catch the "technology fever" and work together to transform the educational experiences of all our students. So as this course is coming to a close, and I can truly say without a doubt that my plan now is to forge ahead with new knowledge and new understanding, blazing exciting new trails into meaningful technology integration.
I am a lifelong learner, because I am constantly working on bettering myself as a teacher and professional. Professional development opportunities are very important to me, and I feel that teachers should be role models and leaders in committing to continued learning. Therefore, tools like Delicious tagging, Twitter, Ning, Classroom 2.0 and all the Google products assist me in enhancing what I know and am able to do. I can look to Twitter, Ning, and Classroom 2.0 as avenues to share knowledge back and forth with colleagues across the globe. And I can use Delicious and the many Google products to assist me in storing and accessing my information readily. I love the fact that I can save information and back up all my important documents in the cloud, so in the event of a dire emergency like a computer crash or a lost jump drive, I have no worries. I can simply access the cloud for my documents and other information. These tools make my job easier, so I am all for them!
I try to be a creative, cutting-edge kind of teacher, because I feel that my students appreciate this effort, and I feel that if I can approach content in novel ways, my students will commit what they learn to LONG TERM memory. And isn't that what we want? Technology helps to get me there. Not only are the technology tools on Web 2.0 engaging for students, I feel these tools, if properly integrated, are available to ensure students learn content at higher, more rigorous levels. Frankly, I think there should be an entire class about writing curriculum to meet higher LOTI levels, because one of two things can happen with this new technology. One, teachers will use the technology as bells and whistles, neglecting to embed meaningful connections into curriculum, or two, teachers will use technology as a means of bringing better understanding, of connecting with the world and celebrating the Age of Knowledge Sharing. Students can use technology to make a difference in the world and to approach content in new and innovative ways, thus creating more knowledge, new knowledge, and better knowledge. Suddenly learning becomes important. Pivotal. Relevant. And students will flourish under such positive influences as these.
Hence, tools like Wikis, Flickr, Voicethread, Blogs, Screencasts, and Podcasts, when properly and meaningfully integrated, take on great importance as tools which can transform kids from apathy to passion, from boredom to effervescence, from the ordinary to the extraordinary. So my next steps deal with creation and integration. Since we will be writing all new units for the Common Core, I intend to make technology a component to every unit I do. I will start the year off by introducing wikis and Edmodo first and foremost. These will be foundational tools for us to use throughout the year. As I plan each unit, being certain to embed all essential components of depth, complexity, rigor, and differentiation, I will be sure that the technology tools that I select will enrich the learning experience for students, helping to make their learning memorable, relevant, and engaging. Technology in the 21st Century Classroom has the power to change the lives of our students for the best, and I intend to make it a priority in what I do. It is my hope that by setting a good example and being a good technology leader, other teachers will catch the "technology fever" and work together to transform the educational experiences of all our students. So as this course is coming to a close, and I can truly say without a doubt that my plan now is to forge ahead with new knowledge and new understanding, blazing exciting new trails into meaningful technology integration.