MY REFLECTION - WHAT A JOURNEY!!! WOW!!!

"The race is not for the swift neither the battle for the strong but those that endure to the end."

                                                                                  I MADE IT

About ten (10 weeks) ago we gave birth to a “bouncing baby boy" called Educational Technology. Like any parent, this was an exciting but nervous moment.  After reading the course outline and all the other documents related to the course, I became very overwhelmed. I thought to myself how this would be possible, having a full time job and also being a full time mother. However after reading this quote by RALPH WALDO EMERSON – (“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”) I was forced to move forward with excellence.

Led by our Professor Dr. Britt Watwood, this “baby”, came into the lives of thirteen (13) dedicated teachers.  At the beginning of the course, we were asked to set up various accounts, and get ourselves with WEB 2.0. I was very hesitant in doing so because of the negative feedbacks that I have always heard about the use of the internet and the web. However like a brave warrior princess, I braced myself and started my journey with boldness.

                BLOGS!!! WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT??? – I have never done one before but the professor saw something in us that he decided to use blogging as one of the tools to get our inputs, ideas, and thoughts each week. I was “Ms. Clueless”, but with perseverance and encouragements from my colleagues, I was able to overcome the odds.

                This has truly been a journey; exploring WEB, 2.0, learning about various web tools, creating tutorials on various web tools , learning how to effectively incorporate technology in the classroom, becoming aware of cyber bulling,  internet safety, studying and critiquing the Horizon Report, Internet access in schools, Emerging technologies and Implementing a Technology Plan. WOW! WHAT A JOURNEY!

                I am sure that we are ready to produce more “Wendys” and become amazing teachers like Vicky.    

Six years ago, the internet was limited both in what it could do and in who used it. Many people had heard the word but did not have a clue what it was. Today, most teachers have not only been exposed to the internet but also have access at home or at school. In fact, a large number of schools are being retrofitted to place the internet in every classroom. Even more exciting than this is the newest technology: Wireless. A school can purchase a 'Portable Classroom'. This consists of laptops networked together, allowing students to work at their desks WITHOUT wires. If the laptops are networked to a printer, students can print from their personal computer to the classroom printer. I am so happy that Dr. Watwood has prepared us so eloquently for this new beginning in this global connecting world.

We have come to the end of the road feeling very proud. We are now ready to move forward in this 21^st century knowing we made through this challenging but motivating course. We are now well equipped to be members of our school’s technology committee fostering learning through the young minds that we teach.

Of course, changing instructional approaches is no easy task, particularly when technology is involved. Adopting and integrating technology-based instructional strategies has a long history of challenges, but with it has come a great understanding of how to achieve success with them. We are thankful that we were taught how to overcome these challenges, and to expose our students to be successful through the use of technology.

There were times I felt like giving up and “throwing in the towel “but with God being the Captain of my ship I smiled at my storms, and I made it to the end.

      

                                  The BABY HAS MATURED AND WE ARE READY!

Emerging Issues - Technology and More

                                                        

                                                Introduction 

  

Schools are becoming very cognizant in this  global connecting world. The push to provide technology in schools has been successful in recent years. Most schools have computers, computer labs and more over, most schools are connected to the internet.  The school that I am currently employed, has at least ten (10) smart boards, three (3) desk top computers in each classroom, at least fifty document cameras, one mini lap top in each classroom,  two(2) computer labs and one projector in each classroom.

With all these technology in place, students, teachers, teacher assistants, administrative staff and even custodians are exposed to the 21^st century emerging technologies. My county continues to invest in technology. The vision is, by the year 2015 all educators and students will become well equipped, in the field of technology.  This vision has boosted my school to promote technology and definitely move forward with emerging technology.

                            Technology Brings Success

The PTA body has collaborated with the teachers and administrators in conducting series of training and workshops (in technology) for parents and students. A technology driven school will allow students to work on authentic, meaningful and challenging problems. In the classroom, teachers can develop a myriad of technology-supported engaged learning projects that enable students to solve real world problems, retrieve information from online resources, and connect with experts. Such subjects can be acclimated to all grade levels.

Various tools help schools govern their ability in using technology for engaged learning. Therefore schools that are ensuring that the technology supports the education goals for students, will have a smooth transition process, in welcoming new and improved technology.

            I was driving with a friend of mind and we were actually looking for a restaurant. Both of us were not familiar with the place so we had to rely on technology to help us locate restaurants in that particular area. The fascinating part was literally speaking to the phone to help us locate restaurants. In less than a minute a list of restaurants “popped up” that were in that particular area or in close proximity. I thought about my own students and how the use  this tool will help promote learning and spark their interest. For example; this would be an ideal tool to use in Social Studies especially introducing the topic Landforms across the United States.  Students would become so intrigued to know that they can speak in a phone to locate landforms across the United States.

            Technology integration brings changes to teachers’ instructional roles in the classroom. The teacher’s roles in a technology- infused classroom often shift to that of a facilitator or coach rather than a lecturer (Henriquez & Riconscente 1998). Technology use also tends to nurture collaboration among students. Students become self- directed and their level of curiosity accelerates.

                             Moving Forward

One might say why do we need to implement emerge technologies in schools. I do believe that it is very important to include various types of technology and web tools in schools. Students are very much exposed to blogs, text messages, RSS, social networks, and web pages; therefore incorporating some of these in the classroom will be very effective. The teacher’s responsible is to closely monitor how these tools are used by the students. It is time for us as educators to move forward and focus more on the positive influence technology has on education rather  than dwell on the negatives. Statistics have shown that students, who are engrossed in technology at an early age, tend to become successful business entrepreneurs, politicians, and also engineers.

            Teachers need large blocks of time to gain initial familiarity with new hardware or software, learning and practicing for sustained periods. The integration of technology into the curriculum will not succeed without giving teachers ample time to practice, explore, conceptualize and collaborate. Many teachers crave for time to interpret or translate new ideas and strategies into the practical classroom lessons and unit plans.

Our classrooms are filled with “Wendys”, Therefore as educators let us not be distracted by teaching for the End of Grade Test, Standard of Learning or the End of Course, but let us adapt some valuable pointers from Vicki Davis (a teacher in a rural area in Southern Georgia) who continues to use cell phones and other web tools  in a positive way to promote learning. http://www.coolcatteacher.com/

Some schools across the United States have purchased iPads to help students in the teaching /learning environment. Students have come out and said they were more engaged in class and it also helped them to focus because there was no barrier between the student and the iPad, compared to when a student would use a laptop on their desk.

http://smithtown.patch.com/articles/the-introduction-of-ipads-in-the-classroom-will-help-students

Green Bay-area school districts are beginning to change long-standing bans on handheld technology, such as cell phones and iPods, after realizing they are increasingly part of students' everyday lives. The Pulaski School District, for example, now encourages middle and high school students to bring their cell phones to class. They're also welcome to carry other electronic gadgets such as netbooks, which are a bit smaller than laptop computers; iPads, handheld tablet computers; or electronic-book readers

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20101208/GPG0101/12080815/iPods-iPads-cell-phones-welcome-in-area-schools

                                             Conclusion

   Technology works best in the classroom when it is seen as part of the normal way of working rather than a temporary add-on. As well as making for more rigorous and relevant assessment, technologies such as whole-class voting systems help to provide teachers with instant feedback on how everyone in the room is doing and can revisit concepts if necessary so that no one is left behind.

             With multi-touch devices and ultra-portable netbooks now reaching prices that allow bulk purchasing realistic, the possibilities to embed ICT further into everyday learning has never been more achievable.

The Internet/ Faculty Development

Teachers entering the profession today are expected to be active participants in activities that determine their success or failure. They are most likely to respond to the positive reinforcement that results from a feeling they are valuable and contributing members of a collaborative effort.

According to Marisa Beard in her article Internet offers Benefits to Children and Teachers, she clearly outlines ways in which teachers and students can incorporate the use of the internet in the teaching learning environment. Marisa also mentioned that the internet can allow students to be connected with the outside world without actually visiting or making a trip to the place. www.wiu.edu/thecenter/articles/benefits.html

The internet provides a wealth of resources and information that make teaching exciting and new. The internet is also an ideal mechanism for encouraging students to assume responsibility for their own learning. As students find different learning resources on the internet, they become active participants in their quest of knowledge.

Do we have a choice?

Using the internet is not an option. The use of the internet in my school and school district makes up 85 percent of my job. Monday through Friday teachers have no choice but to log on and do the following via the internet.

1.       Mark attendance.

2.       Record grades.

3.       Read daily school news

4.       Read email from other teachers, administrators, parents, and even school district personnel.

As educators it is very important that we continue to appreciate the importance of technology and come to the realization that we cannot shone to implement technology in our everyday lives. In this global awareness era, we must ensure that our skills are sharpened and the use of the internet should not be painful but rather easy to manipulate. Our students are exposed to technology and not to mention the use of the internet. They are able to download games, search for information, and even 90 percent have a social network account. Therefore as educators it is our responsibility to continuously upgrade ourselves and become expertise in using the internet.

Personal Experience

The students in my class recently did a research on 200 years of America’s History. They were given various choices on how to present their findings. Most students created power points.  They emailed their power points to me and I had to access their power points using the internet. One outstanding student created a website with her presentation. She was able to share her website and her presentation with the class, which was very fascinating. The students were able to see her profile, comments on her projects by her families /friends, and her favorites.

 

Who is responsible?

At my school the Technology facilitator and his team are responsible for creating or developing various programs, and learning tools for teachers. The onus is no given to teachers to “jump” and create. There must be channel teachers need to follow or go through.  This is a way of protecting teachers and students. Also Internet Safety is very important, therefore teachers use the internet but are very cautious.