• Are you finding the information and resources you need?
As I continue to read and explore the internet for information and resources, I am finding that there is an ABUNDANCE of information out there. Almost too much in fact! Chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry would have been easier to choose from : ) . What I have gained from this experience is that my students will also share this same ‘problem’, and will need to learn how to narrow down selections and resources to determine which best suits their needs.
• Do you need to modify your action plan?
Thinking about the upcoming school year, I am excited to try new things with my students. I am also a bit nervous, as I am generally pretty hard on myself and like to be well-versed in something before I attempt to teach others. Sooo, I will be practicing this summer with different technologies, and reviewing my curriculum and current units to see what I can do to create student-centered, project based lessons.
• What have you learned so far?
I have learned how much I DON’T know, but I have also learned that ALL of it (technology) is something I CAN learn. I have learned at 49 years old that I am not too old to learn anything. I have also learned that I need to look at my lessons differently, thinking about the end results first, and building a lesson around how to achieve these results.
• What new questions have arisen?
The questions I have need to be directed to the IT department at my high school. I need to have specific questions for them regarding they types of technology I want to use (blogs, wikis, podcasts, VoiceThread, etc.) and work with them on what will actually work with the blocks that are currently in place within our system.
One final question I struggle with is, as the comic above illustrates, how do I incorporate technology and make learning meaningful and exciting, and yet instill in my young adults the importance and enjoyment of just reading a BOOK...
I really enjoy what you have written. You've cut right to the heart of the matter with a very positive approach! Overwhelming??? Jees yes! There's so much stuff out there that it becomes tremendously difficult to sort through what is relevant and what might not get us to our desired goals. I think that the direction of curricular committees really needs to be altered within the next few years.
ReplyDeleteAs for questions with regard to technology, I agree completely. As I have moved ahead with many ideas that I have gathered through my studies, my friends at the technology department have determined that I am geared for that front edge. This is completely intentional. I watch the trends, and I try different things, and then I place phone calls and write concise e mails that ask specific questions regarding specific directions that I would like to travel. What I find is that the directors of our technology program are right there with me. Sometimes I'm a pain in their hiney because they have enough to deal with with regard to teachers having difficulty with every day situations. But often times, I have found the assistant superintendent in our district, a friend that I call "Grand Pubah," is extremely receptive and facilitating because he and I are running in parallel. He watches to see what I try next and I question to see what directions that he might suggest. This has proven to be a very productive relationship. I think what I will find most difficult is maintaining momentum once I complete my masters. I'm a little worried that I may slip back from the front edge into a more comfortable mode.