Podcasts and Wikis and Blogs, OH MY!

This reflection is written with a sense of accomplishment, and a deep sigh. When I first perused the assignments for this course I was overwhelmed and extremely apprehensive. How on earth was I going to complete a blog, wiki, and podcast all within the first five weeks? I thought to myself, if this is what a 21st Century teacher does, I am clearly behind the times. However, as each week progressed, I became more self-assured, and my angst dissipated.

As a teacher, I realize advancements in technology have greatly impacted the ways in which my students learn. The students in classrooms today have grown up in a digital age and technology is part of their daily lives. It would remiss of me not to teach to their changing learning styles. Learning that a 21st Century teacher is not only one that utilizes technology, but one that incorporates and teaches skills such as cooperative learning, problem solving, critical thinking and expert decision making, was quite edifying. These are skills I teach in my classroom on a daily basis. It was then that my confidence grew.

There is no question; this course has developed my technology skills, both personally and professionally. Although I had utilized many Web 2.0 applications prior to this adventure, I had never created any. Today, I can be proud as I have created a blog, cooperatively constructed a wiki with colleagues located all over the world, and have a podcast I produced with my students on TeacherTube for a global audience to hear. Prior to this course, I also never really thought about how these Web 2.0 technologies could be implemented in my classroom to enhance my students’ learning. Currently, it is all I think about. Unfortunately, I work in a county that prohibits many of these applications; however, I am in the process of writing a research-based proposal in hopes of over-turning some of their decisions. In the meanwhile, I realized from discussions with my colleagues in this course, that it is important for me to focus on the technology I am able to incorporate within my classroom, and not dwell on what I am unable to utilize.

Throughout this course I have struggled with ways to purposefully, and meaningfully integrate technology into my lessons. Utilizing technology properly and effectively within my classroom will enhance my lessons and impact my students’ motivation; however this is no easy task. It is entirely too simple to use technology for technology’s sake, and not in a way that enhances what is being taught. One goal I would like to accomplish is the implementation of a classroom math wiki. In my classroom, I use Math Journals as a way for students to synthesize the mathematical concepts they’ve been taught. By doing this I will immediately be incorporating technology, but as I learned firsthand, there are numerous skills required for making and maintaining a wiki in a group. My students would be solving problems that arise within their groups, as well as technological issues. Collaboration and communication would also be fostered as the group decides how to set up their page, in addition to what content to add, or edit. My students would also be fostering their creativity as they design the wiki and begin to add their content with the new venue of an authentic audience. Collaboratively, my students would become experts in the math curriculum, by incorporating 21st century skills. Another goal I have is to consistently make use of Webquests. Webquests allow students to conduct safe, teacher-controlled searches to find useful information while creating connections with the greater community. Overall, these sites will help students become global, computer literate citizens. It will also enable the class to utilize inquiry skills in order to make global connections, through the use of technology. Most importantly, they are readily available to be utilized at my school, and also foster 21st Century skills.

This course, Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society, has really enabled me to increase my knowledge of learning, teaching and leading with technology. It has placed me in uncomfortable positions as a learner of new technologies, forced me to reevaluate every lesson I teach, and enabled me to solidify my realization that I am no longer my students’ primary source of information. It has also directed me to seek out the technology savvy educators in my school. Together we have begun to dialogue, and work in partnership to come up with innovative strategies that effectively infuse technology integration practices. I cannot wait to see what Walden has in store for us through the progression of our studies in the integration of technology.

My First Podcast: Fifth Graders and Technology

Here it is. I have been suffering with a horrid cold; I don't usually sound like Louis Armstrong! Please click on the title to hear it on Teachertube. Enjoy!