Refelction on Integrating Technology in the Classroom

I am in the process of wrapping up my tenth and final class of a masters program, Integrating Technology in the Classroom from Walden University. The class, Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society, has exposed me to new and exciting Web 2.o technology tools to allow me to further transform my classroom.

The pre-engineering class I teach opens its self to incorporating technology and I thought I was doing a good job of it. This class, however, has made me aware of how much more I can do. As more students are loosing interest in school, we need to reach those students and get them excited about learning while in school. One way to do this is to incorporate 21 century skills and Web 2.0 technology. It is time we incorporate more of the technology they use: blogs, wikis, podcasts, screencasting, and video. By incorporating these technologies, students become more responsible for their learning. They ask more questions and become more connected. They reassess what and how they want to share information as it is delivered to a much larger audience. They also learn important social networking skills and tools that are needed in the workforce. In addition, teachers are now able to facilitate the learning rather than delivering it.

These technologies are not just for students. Teachers and administrators benefit from them as well. For example, professional blogs are an excellent way to stay connected to other professionals. They allow for a global social environment that recently did not exist. Wikis allow for community curriculum development, community lesson planning, and any other collaborative endeavor.

As a result of this class, there are two goals I plan to accomplish to further transform my classroom. One is to incorporate student made learning videos to facilitate students-centered learning as it applies to the software packages used in my classroom. The second goal is to gain access to more web sites in the classroom. There are a plethora of sites and videos that are too good not to use in the classroom. Due to filters and firewalls most are blocked. This obstacle will be difficult to overcome as administration is currently not interested in changing the way things are. I hope with on going communication and education with administration and the school board I will be able to have a password to unblock the restrictions if not have the firewall security changed or eliminated at certain levels.

The hopes of progress and change are exciting.

Technology at School and at Home

Experience with technology is different for each student. Some students have vast exposure and experience with technology while others have very little. Listen to the podcast below to see what types of experience three six grade students in NW Indiana have with technology at home and at school.

Podcast: The Use of Technology with 3 Six Grade Students

21st Century Skills

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is a partnership of businesses and educators that focuses on integrating 21st century skills in k-12 education in an attempt prepare students for the world ahead of them. As life and the workplace is changing new skills are required for our students to be successful.

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills web site offers extensive resources including tools, database access, professional development, and publications. Under the state resources include lesson plans, assessments, and rubrics.

The site is definitely a good site to keep abreast of 21st century skills and information. I was surprised by the varied backgrounds of board members and founders. The teaching of 21st century skills is vital to our students. We as teachers will need to be creative and look to leaders like The Partnership for the 21st Century Skills to help us update our skills to we can help others.

Blogs in Education

The world of blogging is new to me, very new. I had heard of blogs before but until starting a recent class, I had not given blogging much thought personally or professionally. After doing a good deal of reading, watching videos, and viewing what others have done with blogs I think I am ready to give it a try.

This new found knowledge of mine has come at an opportune time. I teach a seventh grade pre-engineering class.As a part of the class, students form groups for a design project. This year, students researched desk organizers on the internet to get design ideas. They interviewed adults to determine the style, size, and design requirements each had when purchasing a desk organizer. From the data they compiled, the group designed and built an original organizer. Since the project is based on adult wants and needs in an organizer, I wanted the students to present their organizers to an adult audience. Each rotation had been more difficult than the last to get adults to appear for the presentations. The teachers available first hour found it harder to come to the presentations due to other obligations during that time. This was discouraging for the students and me. Blogging offers an interesting alternative.

Through podcasting and blogging, students could open their presentations to a large audience. Adults throughout the corporation, community, and Purdue University Partnership Group, could be invited to watch the individual podcasts and through a blog give the students feedback on their product at their convenience. In addition, students could document their experience and offer advice to upcoming students.