“Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society” has helped me develop great technology skills as a professional teacher. Throughout the course I learned how to develop my own blog, develop a wiki with the help of my classmates, I created a pod cast, and I learned how to incorporate 21st Century skills in the classroom. I did not possess these skills prior to this course. I realize how productive and blog or wiki can be in the classroom. Students today are technology natives by growing up in a technology driven world. It is vital that we as educators incorporate technology into our classroom as much as possible. To incorporate technology, we are also learning. We might have to learn how to use a certain form of technology just like I had to learn how to develop and work a blog. This is one reason why many teachers may be afraid to transition into the use of technology. The phrase, “if it is not broke, don’t fix it.” Many may have this mentality but the reason for using technology goes much deeper than the meaning of this phrase. The hand on approach to using technology teaches the students so much more. They are much more engaged and their brains are functioning at a much higher level.
I have always attempted to be more student-centered rather than teacher-centered. Up until now I realized I am much more teacher-centered than I would like to be. Mathematics is a very difficult and direct subject. Math is sequential and the students need basic skills in order to perform at a higher level. Many of my students lack these basic skills, making it very difficult for me take a more advanced, student-centered approach.
The best way for me to continue to expand my knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology to increase student achievement is to continue learning myself. I have only begun to learn about blogs, wiki’s, pod casts, and 21st Century Skills in the classroom. Whether it is reading, a conference, or a class such as this one, in order to build my knowledge I must continue to learn what I can and then put what I have learned into practice. Through practice, I will learn what realistically works and what does not.
Two long term goals of mine are to incorporate a blog or website into my classroom and to incorporate more cell phone and computer based learning. I plan to do this by setting aside time at night for me to check my blog and answer questions. Our district is lower their rules about cell phones and allowing cell phones and laptops in the classroom. I do not expect all students to have laptops so I will attempt to set aside time in the computer lap or get the laptop carts once a week.
Before completing this course, I only designed instructional activities requiring student collaboration to accomplish a joint task. I am not a lot more aware of creating more real-world problem-solving activities and providing various tools and resources. I cannot say I am currently doing any practices to develop skills for school and the workplace environments. I do plan to promote the development of leadership and technology skills in my students and colleagues. I would also like to participate in developing a vision for technology integration and communicate the reasons for using technology across our curriculum for mathematics.
