EDUC 6710 Week 8: Reflective Essay

As my time in the course comes to a close, the time for reflection begins. How have my technology skills as a teacher been developed? How has my knowledge of teaching and learning been deepened? Has my perspective on teacher-centered -vs- student-centered learning environments been challenged or changed? How can I continue to expand my knowledge of working with technology to increase student achievement?

I suppose, through this course, my technology skills have been developed, as I was asked to create projects I’d yet to attempt in my classroom. While I had familiarity with the process and the ideas behind such tools as Wiki pages, blogs in the classroom, and podcasts, I had not come across an occasion to use them with my kids. After being inspired by a few of our discussions, I have begun to incorporate student blogs and am thrilled with the response the students have shown.

If I am going to be honest, I can’t really say my knowledge of the teaching and learning process has really been deepened. I can say, however, that through some of the research we did over the past 8 weeks, my knowledge and ideas have been validated. I now have research to back up my never-ending technology ideas and requests that I present to my principal!

Again, I can’t honestly say my perspective on teacher-centered -vs- learner-centered learning environments has been changed or challenged. I’ve always believed the classroom should revolve around the student, not the teacher; that the most effective learning happens by “doing;” and that a teacher should take the role of a guide, rather than a “supreme source of knowledge” in the classroom. Through this course, however, I have found ways to make that even more of a reality through the use of technology.

To continue expanding my knowledge of technology, I’ve learned that I must be connected to those “in the know.” I’ve always known they were out there – those technology specialists that have lists of great tools they’ve discovered – but I’d never been connected to them. Through my work in this course, that’s all been changed. I have begun to develop a useful network of teachers and IT folks that are more than willing to share their ideas and suggestions with anyone who will listen - I’m certainly one that will listen!

The first goal I have set for transforming my classroom environment is to get my hands on a class set of laptops with Internet access. In this economy, the biggest obstacle I face is funding. Our school district simply does not have the money to make that goal happen. After asking around, I located a funding source and have begun researching what I need to do in order to write a grant for my laptops. My initial research has me more confused than ever, but I am learning to rely on my network of “those in the know” to help me through. With any luck, my room will really look like a 21st century learning environment by November of this year.

My second goal for transforming my classroom environment is more of a “transforming the opinions of others” goal. There are many teachers and parents that seem to view technology as the enemy. They simply don’t see the need for it and resent its use in the classroom. I firmly believe a technology-rich learning environment will lead to more fully engaged students, which, in turn, will lead to a higher level of authentic learning. I plan to lead by example, and hopefully change the minds of those resistant teachers and parents so all students might benefit from all that is available to them today.

My Journey into Blogging in the Classroom...

Well, we're getting there. The kids all have monitored e-mail, thanks to ePals.com and a blog through Blogger.com.

It's been quite an ordeal, setting this all up, but it seems to have been worth it. The kids are loving it so far. ("So far"... they've only set their blogs up and some have posted one topic! LOL) We'll be working on our first "official" posts next week, so stay tuned for that...

Here's what I've learned so far on this journey...

1. GMail and Yahoo! mail have account limits. Once you register a certain amount (10 for Gmail and 13 for Yahoo!), your IP address is flagged as a spammer and you're completely locked out. Yahoo!, however, will "unlock" your IP address after 24-hours and you may continue. (If you have a large number of students, this can be an extremely time-consuming process!)
   
2. ePals is a fantastic site that offers FREE, monitored (seriously monitored, too!) student accounts. There seems to be no limit - I've registered roughly 100 students. The process is pretty user-friendly, as well. (I give this site 2 thumbs up, 4 gold stars, or whatever works for ya!)
   
3. Blogger.com has the word verification system set up during the registration process. It is a COMPLETE pain in the rump because after 2 or 3 accounts, it makes you re-enter the password and word (which you can barely read half the time) 6 or 7 times before it will actually register the account. It takes FOREVER!
   
4. Blogger.com will also lock a batch of blogs and flag them as SPAM blogs. This happened to my entire 4th period class, who I registered in one sitting. There is an "unlock request" on the account's dashboard, but it can take up to 48 hours for them to review and unlock it.
   
5. Even with the amount of time it took, I contend it is MUCH easier to set them up for the students so all they have to do is make them pretty before they start blogging. I decided to walk my 6th- and 8th-periods through the entire process, letting them do it all, but it was way more aggravation than it was worth.
   
6. The entire project would be much more effective with a class set of laptops; however, we have to do the best with what we have, right?
   
7. Parents are much more comfortable with the entire idea when they know the e-mail is monitored and the blogs are private. (Blogger.com offers a few levels of blog privacy.)
   
8. The most important thing I've learned, in my opinion, is that the kids love it. Kids that refuse to write in a notebook were thrilled to type something up and post it - especially my ESOL kids. (Many had the Google translator open in another window - this helped them out quite a bit.)

So, it seems to be working out pretty well so far! I'll definitely keep you posted as the weeks go on.

EDUC 6710 APP5: Podcast Assignment

Believe it or not, this was my first podcast ever! True to form, I decided to jump in and play with software I had tucked in the back of my mind and see where it took me. Luckily, it was all pretty easy and seemed to work out well!

I recorded my interviews at school using Audacity, then recorded and edited my the rest of my podcast using WavePad, a sound-editing program I already own and use often for other projects. I chose to host my podcast on GCast.com, which I find to be incredibly user-friendly.

I would like to thank Emily, Michael, and Ana for taking the time to help me with this project. I know it was rather intimidating, and I really appreciate your willingness to try something new with me!


Subscribe Free  Add to my Page