Reflection

This blog serves as a way for me to reflect about the knowledge that I have gained through the course, “Understanding the Impact of Technology, Work, and Society”. Through this course, I have realized that integrating technology into my classroom is more than just using the Internet and my LCD projector. Integrating technology into my classroom means allowing my students to take an active role in learning. This course has opened my eyes to how much society is changing. I have come to the realization that the students of today learn differently than in previous years. In order for my students to be prepared for their future, I have to integrate 21st century skills into my classroom. In “The End of Work As You Know It” Robert Hof (2007) states, “As technology allows the individual tasks of many jobs to be done independently, the traditional role of an employer is dissolving.” It is essential for my students to learn the skills that are necessary for the future workplace.
Before beginning this course, I was unfamiliar with some of the ways that I could integrate technology into the classroom. The Internet has been a tool that has allowed my students to research topics. I was also familiar with a few tools that made instruction easier such as Turning Point, my LCD projector, and PowerPoint. Through this course, I have learned about blogging, wikipedia, and podcasts. These are great tools that allow my students to be creative and better communicate their ideas. It also promotes collaborative learning. I teach reading and social studies. Through this course, I have found ways to integrate technology into each of these subject areas. In reading, my students can blog about stories that they have read. In social studies, my students can work collaborately to create a wiki about the American Revolution. Podcasts are a great way for my students to work on their speaking skills. They can creatively integrate podcasts into classroom projects.
As I move forward in the classroom, I need to continue to expand my knowledge of technology so that my students will be successful. It is important for me to focus on 21st century skills. In the DVD, “Skills for the 21st century”, Dr. David Thornburg (2008) defines the 21st century skills as information literacy, critical thinking, problem solving, communication skills, teamwork and collaboration, information technology, and leadership. It is essential for schools to work together in order to make a definite change. I must continue to try and motivate other teachers to make a change in their classroom. Technology is a necessity in the schools. However, we all have to be on the same page for this transformation to occur.
I am very excited about transforming my classroom into a modern educational setting where 21st century skills are integrated into the current curriculum. The CRCT continues to be a focus in the classroom. However, I know that my students will be even more successful if they take a more active role in learning. In the DVD, “Bringing the Fun Into Teaching”, one of the teachers, Jeff Houston (2008), explains his three major goals as keeping the kids safe, helping kids learn, and having fun.” I want my students to get excited as they enter my classroom. One of my long-term goals is to integrate blogging into the classroom. This would be such a great way to allow my students to express themselves and communicate with each other. I plan to create a class blog and post a weekly question for my students. Another goal that I have is to teach my student how to work collaborately to create a wiki. There are so many topics where my students would benefit from this. From creating a wiki on the battles of the American Revolution to creating one on the story elements from Superfudge, a wiki would allow my students to be creative and work together toward a common goal.
My transformation through this course is much like the transformation that I would like to see in my classroom. Eight weeks ago, I knew how important technology was for my students. However, this course has motivated me to allow my students to take an active role in learning. I have found ways to incorporate the curriculum into technology. I hope that the knowledge that I have gained will get my students excited about learning and allow them to apply their own knowledge and skills to be successful in the classroom. I also hope to inspire other teachers to create an environment that is ready for the 21st century learner.

References:

Hof, R. (2007, August 20). The end of work as you know it. Businessweek.com Retrieved
December 23, 2009 from
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_34/b4047426.htm?chan=search

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). 2008. Skills for the 21st Century. [Motion Picture].
Understanding the Impact of Technology, Work, and Society. Baltimore: Author.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). 2008. Bringing the Fun into Teaching. [Motion
Picture].Understanding the Impact of Technology, Work, and Society. Baltimore: Author

Week 5 Application: Podcast

Through this assignment, I was able to get a better idea of my students' understanding of technology. As digital natives, my students are more familiar with technology than what I was in elementary school. However, I found that their technology use varied from student to student. After taking a survey and creating a podcast, I have not only expanded my use of technology, but I am also more aware of how to better meet their needs.

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Evaluating 21st Century Skills

As an educator, I found the web site of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills very informative and motivational. The mission of this organization is “to ensure every child’s success as citizens and workers in the 21st century”. Through various resources, educators can see the need for changes in the schools. This organization gives us the tools and ideas needed to implement this. In viewing the DVD, “Skills for the 21st Century”, Dr. David Thornburg (2008) explains the seven skills necessary to prepare our students for the changing workforce. These range from “information literacy” to “leadership”. He also goes on to explain more specific skills and dispositions such as “creativity and innovative thinking” and “lifelong learning”. The website of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills has incorporated assessment tools, recommendations, and the framework for educators to implement these 21st century skills into the classroom. What a great site for educators!
The Snapshots that are included in the website are very impressive. A Brooklyn school referred to as “PS 24” focuses on conflict resolution. Fourth and fifth graders are educated on learning to be a peace helper. They become trainers in problem solving. It was great to see older kids teaching younger kids how to resolve conflicts. Through discussions and drawings, kids that are struggling with this are able to learn ways to deal with their emotions.
An article entitled, Schools That Work: How You Can Do It explains that a Houston charter school called YES Prep has extended the school day to provide more learning time. There school times are from 7:30AM-4:30 PM five days a week. They also offer Saturday sessions and summer sessions. I do believe that more instructional time sounds like a great way to teach the necessary skills to the students and prepare them for college and the demanding workforce. However, I see some drawbacks to this as well. I worry that such an increase in the school day would cause my students to lose focus and motivation. Through hands-on and group activities, I do try to engage my students in lessons that are fun and exciting. However, by the end of the day, some of my students are lacking enthusiasm. I also think that children need to have time with their families outside of school.
In the article, “Learning for the 21st Century”, it states “Students need to learn how to use 21st century tools beginning in elementary school to take full advantage of the vast array of research and multimedia resources, digital content, and communications options available to them”. This website is a great tool for me to use when integrating technology into my fourth grade classroom. There is such a large amount of material to cover throughout the year. This site incorporates this material into a curriculum that is necessary for the 21st century learner.

References:

Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). A report and mile guide for 21st century skills. Washington DC: Author. Retrieved November 25, 2009 from http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/downloads/P21_Report.pdf

Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (2004).Tucson, AZ. Retrieved November 25, 2009 from http://www.21stcenturyskill.org/

Thornburg, D. Skills for the 21st Century (Laureate Education, Inc. 2008).

Classroom Ideas

Currently, I am teaching 4th grade reading, social studies, and math. I think that getting my students involved in blogging would be a great way to motivate them. They would learn so much from each other and have a chance to express their opinions. The blog that I will create will serve as a place for my students to discuss topics that are relevant to the standards. In reading "Web literacy for educators", Alan November (2008) explains that this is a way to integrate blogs into the classroom. I integrate many of my reading skills into my social studies lessons. A social studies blog would allow my students to express what they have learned about the material that we have discussed in class. I could incorporate various reading strategies such as summarizing a reading passage and writing an opinion. For example, I am currently teaching the American Revolution. This week, we have been discussing what factors caused the war. I could have the students write an opinion of how the colonists could have persuaded British Partliament from taxing them. Then, the students could comment to each others' opinions on this topic. I would like to also include interactive websites. I have found a great interactive website for my 4th grade students. This website was creatied by the eMints National Center. It includes videos, pictures, games, work searches, etc. about the American Revolution. My students will love it! http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000025.shtml
Please check it out and let me know your thoughts!

References:

November, A. (2008). Web literacy for educators. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.Copyright 2008 by Sage Publications, Inc.

The students of today are more technologically advanced than ever before. As a teacher, every year it seems to be getting harder and harder to motivate and keep my students’ attention. It is almost as if we have to compete with the internet, video games, cell phones, etc. in the classroom. The students are so used to constantly being entertained outside the classroom. In Blogs, wiks, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms (2nd ed.), Richardson (2009) states, “There is no question that more and more of today’s kids are entering our classrooms having had years of “screentime” and that in general, while they still may have a lot to learn about living in the digital world, they are by nd large fearless in their use of technology.” (p.56). As a teacher, I know that is important to find ways to grab their attention and motivate them to want to be successful. It used to be that textbooks, a blackboard, and an overhead projector were the only materials needed to create a successful lesson. Today, it is necessary for teachers to incorporate the latest technology into the curriculum so that students will be prepared for the future. In the article, Technology and education: Expectations, not options, Thornburg (2004) states that “today we clearly are in the realm where the question is not how technology should change to fit classroom practice, but rather how, given current technology, classroom practice should change” (p.4). In other words, it really should not be an option as to whether a teacher needs to change his/her teaching practices. Classroom practice has to change because the technology has so drastically changed. Teachers have to have the right attitude for this change to be successful.
Currently, I am becoming more comfortable with a few new advances such as the ELMO, LCD projector, and school pad. These definitely make a difference in my lessons. My school has also incorporated a weekly technology class for the students. They are involved in typing lessons each week as well as different programs such as PowerPoint. They are really enjoying this class. The internet has become such a great tool for the students to use for research projects. In Blogs, wiks, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms (2nd ed.), Richardson (2009) states “We are no long limited to being independent readers or consumers of large storehouses of information. In the process, we can learn much about ourselves and out world” (p.2). There is a wealth of information on the internet that we would not have had access to fifty years ago. In the next few years, I feel that it is my responsibility to become educated on the latest technological advancements so that my students are prepared. I hope that other educators feel this way. I would be interested in finding out others’ opinions on this topic.

Citations

Richardson, W. (2009). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful tools for classrooms.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Thornburg, David. (2004) Technology and education: expectations, not options.
Retrieved from http://www.tcpdpodcast.org/briefings/expectations.pdf.