When I first look at technology I am always intimidated until I get involved with the project. Then, I am always amazed at how easily and quickly I am able to implement technology into my classroom. One of my biggest fear about starting an online collaboration project was the feeling that too many of my student’s parents were not on-line at home. After polling my classes many of my students responded positively about on-line collaboration and reported that nearly all homes were connected to the World Wide Web. This gives me a much less anxiety when I decide to start a project that deals with collaboration.
Probably the only component I have yet to do is to find time in my units between my lessons and standardized testing to start a project like this. Certainly the biggest hurdle is not my students or technological constraints.
There are several NETS-T Goals that are applicable here, however one really stands out as being the most important for me; to facilitate and Inspire Students Learning and Creativity. This is one I think is the most important because when I, as a teacher, am inspired to create, my students are then inspired to create. I notice on days when I do not feel well, and I do not have the energy, and I am just going through the motions at work, my students pick up on that and seem to have a slow day as well. But on my normal days when I am my typical upbeat self, my students are upbeat as well.
The next NETS-T Goals is to engage in Professional Growth and Leadership. I have enrolled in the technology pioneers program through my school district, continued to be on out technology committee, and volunteer to give technological presentations to show how I am implementing technology into my classroom. These are just a couple examples of how I am engaging in professional growth and leadership.
I am enrolled in a technology professional development seminar through my school district. This program meets one time per month for a full eight hour day making it an 80 hour program. This program is a great way to synthesize what I learn here at Walden into my lessons. The program is the perfect way to extend what I am learning at Walden. Although there is so much information I feel like I have a decent grasp on most of it, and actually feel like I can implement almost any of it into the classroom immediately.
I hope you like my blog. As always feel free to leave comments and suggestions.
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I think as teachers we all have those days of just going through the motions. This sounds really good. It is really good that your had such a positive response to the online-collaboration. Have you thought about how this project will "look"?
ReplyDeletePaul
ReplyDeleteYes, attitude is certainly a contagious thing and students will pick up on our attitudes very quickly. Although we can all have bad and good days, I like your goal of inspiring your students. Your own willingness to welcome technology and increase your professional foundation will help your students to follow your lead. Kottler, Zehm, & Kottler (2005) add this about effective teachers: "Their passion for lifelong learning fueled their pursuit of new knowledge, new experiences, new opportunities to learn, and their openness to meeting new people" (p. 151). Your post is evidence that you, too, have these traits. Good luck as you continue to find time to press on with your current and future GAME plans.
Reference
Kottler, J. A., Zehm, S. J., & Kottler, E. (2005). On being a teacher: The human dimension (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Hi Paul,
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful for you that your district is so proactive when it comes to teaching and learning technology, and that you are willing to take the time to get involved. Good luck to you. I connected with many of your comments, notably that about being intimidated at first by technology and finding time to fit everything in. I will probably have to wait until summer to take on any more continuing education, but you are a good role model for me. Take care.
Monica