In what ways has this course helped you to develop your own technology skills as a professional teacher?

Before taking this course, I was absolutely tech-challenged in that I didn’t know the difference between a blog from a wiki from a podcast.  I moved in slow motion when attempting the assignments, and felt like a fish out of water.  Although, I am still moving slowly, I do have a better sense of the resources that are available to me.  For example, Last week, I actually taught my class to research a topic by using a blog.  I was amazed at how easy it was. My students will eventually present their research, but before they do, I plan to have them create an intro on their blogs by inserting a podcast within the blogs that they have created.  I am no longer intimidated by the technology, but drawn, instead, to it. This week, my students will present on their projects and I am excited to witness the research that the students have posted to their blogs. 

In what ways have you deepened your knowledge of the teaching and learning process?

I have always felt that I was blessed with the gift of creativity, but now I feel compelled to partner that creativity with the electronic tools that exist for me as a teacher.  I have deepened my knowledge by taking this course, and by actually practicing the tools that were presented to me.  I intend to continue to learn all that I can on this matter, so as to become more and more tech savvy.

In what ways have you changed your perspective from being teacher-centered to learner-centered?

I completely understand the difference from being the person in the classroom with all of the knowledge from being the person in the classroom that assists my students to locate that knowledge on their own with the resources that are available to them.  I have changed my perspective in that I once felt that as long as I had my students’ attention as I stood before them, that I was doing a good job at engaging students.  I now understand that those same students are so not accustomed to staring at one person who is simply regurgitating information for 30 minutes or more.  I completely understand the importance of shaking things up in the classroom by having students work together on creating a project.  This was rarely done in my classroom, as I have been trained to pay close attention to those standards posted on the wall in my classroom.  I have 40 minutes to teach to my students and it’s off to the next class.  Now I will make more of an effort to make the lesson more interactive, move from in front of my students, circulate the room, arrange assignments to be learned in groups or pairs, in the hopes of creating a more exciting learning environment.

I understand fully that there is not just one type of learning style (although I knew this before) and that tapping into each learning style of my students is my main objective over getting the information out in one spill.  It is imperative that I engage each and every one of my students in a manner that helps the student to learn at his/or own level.  It is also my goal to make each lesson interesting, engaging, thought-provoking, communicative, and fun.

In what ways can you continue to expand your knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology with the aim of increasing student achievement?

One way that I can continue to expand my knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology is to pursue the Doctorate in Integration of Technology in Schools.  I’ve been toying with this idea, but now I completely understand the urgency for more experts in this field.  I can continue to find other resources available and practice them so that I may become a trainer for teachers who need my help as well as a better teacher.  In becoming a leader and an expert in this field, my efforts will, no doubt, increase student achievement as teachers learn to integrate technology in their classrooms.

STEP 2-Set two long-term goals:

GOAL #1 – Continue to study (Pursue my Doctorate Degree) in the field of Integration of Technology so as to become a professional in this area. I would actually like to come away from the classroom of young students and stand before teachers in training.  For example, I would like to go into the universities and teach the new teachers about the tools that are available to them so that they enter the classroom smarter and more tech savvy than teachers who have been in the field much longer and who shy away from technology.  For veteran teachers, I would like to be a resource to them as well.  I would like to go into the schools during the week before students arrive and train teachers in the area of integrating technology into their classrooms.  I would create a booklet of links to sites that they may use, show videos of students enjoying the learning experience, and maybe videos of students learning the same lesson in the “old school” manner where the learning is teacher centered.  I would place the educators at my training session into groups, and allow them to experience the new way of learning.  I would ask them for feedback to see how they feel about the new way vs the old way of learning.

GOAL #2- Write Grants

The one obstacle that I see before me as an educator is the lack of computers in schools.  Perhaps I would utilize my technical writing skills to write grants for schools that need more computers.   I would also apply for scholarships in order to get more computers into the school system.

 

 

Greetings Professor & Classmates

I must say that I actually enjoyed the challenge of interviewing students and creating a PodCast, which was new to me.  My students are two young men from Brooklyn NY (I was unable to use the first interview of my actual students due to legal issues).  Overall I learned that ALL students would rather have Technology in the classroom than not.  My two young men from Brooklyn are currently attending a school that utilizes technology daily, and they are still yearning for more.  One young man actually uses technology at home (AFTER school) to assist him with lessons that he did not quite understand in class.  He stated that  he is able to use YOUTUBE to learn any lesson from a teacher who is actually better than the teacher in his school, in his opinion.   It was refreshing to hear that some students actually do use technology for something other than play.  This student also stated that in his school all of the teachers have cell phones, so as to contact one another regarding academia.  Both students are inundated with technology daily, which means that we as educators had better pick up the pace, get on board, and on the same page as our clients (students).  We MUST be able to teach them more than what they already know.  At the very least, we should be able to teach them how to effectively utilize the technology that they are playing with.

 Below is the actual audio, and please be warned--- it is 13 minutes long.  So grab a cup of cinnamon coco and enjoy.

https://soundcloud.com/vernell-wilks/technology-interview

Week 4 –EVALUATING 21^ST CENTURY SKILLS

                                                                         

REACTION TO THE SITE:

I am extremely impressed and very excited about this Partnership For 21^st Century Skills website, because of its wealth of information, knowledge, and Resources for teachers to become better equipped to instruct and successfully prepare their students with 21^st century skills. It is exciting to know that behind the scenes, folks that none of us ever think about are plotting and planning for a better tomorrow for teachers and their students.  Businesses such as APPLE INC, CABLE IN THE CLASSROOM, DESTINATION IMAGINATION, FORD MOTOR COMPANY, GODDARD SCHOOL, LEGO, EDUCATION  have formed a partnership in an effort to help make instruction more exciting for both the teacher and the student.  (http://www.p21.org/members-states/member-organizations

PLEASANTLY SURPRISED: 

I was pleasantly surprised to see free resources such as virtual tours, videos, and books, and free online courses, and the New Teacher Center.  I especially like the video clip about teacher mentoring.  In the video it was stated that the start of a teaching career should not be left to chance.” (http://communities.newteachercenter.org/).  I absolutely agree with this statement, because so many new teachers are drained within the first six months from the fear of failing, being blamed for not being able to manage to teach and discipline at the same time.  Now with the new trend in preparing teachers to prepare students effectively, there is more of a team effort happening, and that is great to see.

Although I cannot honestly find anything in this site to disagree with, I will admit that my previous assumption that there is very little help out there for us struggling teachers, was shattered after viewing this site.  I now realize that there is a wealth of resources readily available to teachers, and that very important and caring people have collaborated to make such a site visible and readily available to teachers. (http://www.p21.org/members-states/member-organizations).  Just this site alone is so rich with vital information and resources that once the information is shared with others, there is only room for more growth for all teachers. 

IMPLICATIONS:

The implication of gradual change and eventual success with a site like this one is extremely welcomed. I am most grateful that these businesses came together to create a mission statement that is strong and defiant against failing school systems that are outdated and sets both the teacher and the students up for failure.  I am in favor of the Partnerships for 21^st Century Skills Website 100 percent, because the collaborative efforts in education, business communities, and government leaders will absolutely paid off. They have done a fabulous job here, and I cannot wait to share with others.

 

How I Would Use Blogs In My Classroom

I am the JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) Specialist at my school, and it is my job to prepare my students for the world after High School.  I have previously identified the career goals of each student and I am currently working on having each student research their selected career.

Since taking this course, and since reading the book, Richardson’s (2010) book Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms, I now understand the importance of introducing my students to Blogging.  Although I have focused on teaching my students office skills such as typing, excel, and PowerPoint I now know that it is extremely important to prepare my students for jobs that have not yet been created.

My idea for using Blogs in my classroom is to have each student create a blog of her own to use in order to reach out to professionals in the field that interests them.  On each blog the student would be required to include her expectations of this career, her goals, reasons for choosing the chosen field, and a few questions for the professionals in that career.  Once the blog is complete, each student will be required to write a list of questions to people who actually work in that field.  I would, of course, get permission from my supervisor before executing this plan, but I believe that the students would get some very insightful feedback from others in their chosen careers whether positive or negative.   I believe that these students will be able to see into the real world of employment by using blogs and by opening those blogs to the public, and seeing the various responses. 

As stated in the readings, this assignment could be used to ask to reflect and build on previous ideas about their career choices, incorporate feedback from readers regarding their experiences in that field, synthesize readings from a number of different sources, and advance new ideas or interpretations of each career and from each person.

 

Some of the Blog sites that I found most interesting are Edmodo, and http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration, LifeAfterCollege, and  MakeItHappen.  These educational blogs would be perfect for what I need to expose my students to. 

References

Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.

I am Vernell Wilks, and it has taken me FOREVER to get this blog started.  You see, I am NOT tech savvy just yet, but soon I will be.  It is great to be amongst other folks who understand the importance of becoming more tech literate in the classroom. 

I currently work for a Group Home where I teach a multitude of subjects.  I know all too well, the importance of keeping the students interested and engaged as well as meeting them where they are. 
Dr.Thornburg's comments in Technology and Education (The reading for week 1) are absolutely true.
Our grandparents should not be able to sit down in today's classrooms and feel right at home.  In fact,
anyone who comes to a 20th century classroom should feel excited, overwhelmed (in a good way), and eager to come back. 

I whole-heartedly believe that educators must take charge and start deliberately searching for technology to be used along with current lesson plans wherever possible. 

I look forward to learning more about this subject, and actually sharing with other teachers. 

Welcome to my blog.