The Evolving Role of the Teacher

When I began my most recent course, Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society, I was skeptical about what I would learn from it. I use technology a great deal, and often teach myself how to use it. I have been pleasantly surprised not only with what I’ve learned from the course, but also how it has changed the way I think about using technology in the classroom. In the end, I am left feeling eager to use what I’ve learned in the classroom and to continue my education in the area of technology.

My perspective on technology use has changed a great deal. I employ many types of technology in the classroom, but this course has helped me to realize that I do so in a way that is teacher-centered. I have been providing videos, websites, and other online resources for students when I could have students finding examples of these on their own. I could also provide some of these resources and could have had students participate in an online discussion or write a reaction in a blog to allow them to communicate and collaborate. I realize now that in using technology in the classroom, it is important to allow students to direct their own learning. The teacher’s role should be to facilitate learning and to teach students how to use technology appropriately.

I plan to continue exploring various types of technology on my own. I also expect to learn more as I continue through my education at Walden University. One thing I have started doing and plan to continue is to communicate and collaborate with other educators by visiting websites, following blogs, and participating in online discussions. I feel we can learn a great deal from one another, especially when it comes to employing specific types of technology in the classroom and overcoming the obstacles that educators often face when using it.

I see my classroom changing a great deal in the next few years. First, I plan to use Web 2.0 tools on a regular basis. My district is currently piloting use of these tools and is moving toward allowing all students to use these tools. Students in my classroom will soon be using email, creating podcasts, collaborating on wikis and journaling on blogs. The group of students that are piloting the Web 2.0 tools have also recently received netbooks. I have seen how these are being used in the classroom and would like for all of our students to have these eventually. I plan to work with a group of other teachers in the district to write grants so that we can obtain more and more netbooks each year.

I still have a long way to go to fully integrate technology into my classroom. In the past few months I have tried a few new things in class. My students have collaborated on a wiki, used Moodle, and done a Web quest. There are some roadblocks that make using technology difficult in my district, but I am working with our Technology Coordinator on solutions. Overall, I am moving in a positive direction and am seeing a change in my students.

Technology Use at LHS

A summary of student interviews about their use of technology both in and outside of school.

21st Century Skills

"21^st Century Skills" is one of education’s new buzz phrases, yet many are unfamiliar with exactly what it means.  I recently reviewed the Partnership for 21st Century Skills website to learn more about this.  This is the website for a national organization that allows business, education, and government leaders to collaborate and share ideas on how to ensure that learners in the United States are prepared to compete globally.  

Though it is easy to navigate, the website itself is fairly plain. I expected something a little more advanced for a website about 21st century education. The website clearly defines what the phrase 21st Century Skills means and includes a rainbow graphic to make it clearer. The Tools and Resources tab includes Publications, Online Tools, Speakers Bureau, and a Professional Development Affiliate Program.  I had hoped to find resources that I could use in the classroom, but these really were not available.  The link to Route 21 under Online Tools provides a database of websites, but users have to visit and browse these sites for specific lesson plans.  The Video 21 link offers some interesting videos, but again offers few specific lesson plans. 

I am encouraged to see the collaboration between members on this site, but as is often the case with education, there is a lot of talk and little action.  The site provides plenty of information about what skills students need, but little information on how to go about making sure students learn these skills.  It also offers no suggestions or even discussion about ensuring that every student has access to technology or who should fund this.  It is unrealistic to think that students can obtain these skills without the necessary tools to do so.  Why, when it comes to education, does it seem that we always put the cart before the horse?  

Keeping up with Pop Culture

I am currently teaching a course entitled American Popular Culture.  I wrote the curriculum for the course a few years ago with the idea that many students find traditional History classes boring.  This class allows students to learn history by studying music, television, film, and more.  When students sign up for the class, they often don't realize that we focus on history from 1950 through the present, but spend little time on the present.  This is a semester course, so I am very limited on what I am able to cover.  Ideally, students would be able to incorporate what they like about Pop Culture into the class.  This is where the idea of using blogs fits well.  Students could create their own blogs to discuss one aspect of pop culture that appeals to them. Other students could subscribe to the blogs and start discussions. This would not only tie into the course content, but would also improve their reading and writing skills.  Because students would be able to choose the content of their blogs, I believe this would make them more likely to update their blog. 

My first blog

More to come...