Reflection

FINAL REFLECTION FOR COURSE EDUC 6710

In what ways has this course helped you to develop your own technology skills as a professional teacher?

This course has allowed me to develop new technology skills for my classroom setting. I am able to easily apply new skills for my students and I to use on a daily basis. The wiki, podcast and blog will benefit my classroom now and for years to come.

In what ways have you deepened your knowledge of the teaching and learning process?

With every class geared towards my masters degree I have deepened my knowledge toward my teaching profession. I think it is important to stay up to date and to commit myself to being a lifelong learner.

In what ways have you changed your perspective from being teacher-centered to learner-centered?

I have always believed in a learner centered classroom. Through this course I have just deepened my understanding and began to understand the importance of a learner centered classroom. I want to continue to challenge my students to become 21st century learners.

In what ways can you continue to expand your knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology with the aim of increasing student achievement?

I want to bring in the new tools that I learned to challenge my students each day. I will have technology each day and set assignments that meet the 21st century skills they will need.

Set two long-term goals (within two years) for transforming your classroom environment by which you may have to overcome institutional or systemic obstacles in order to achieve them. How do you plan to accomplish these goals?

1. Begin a classroom blog where my students can communicate on a daily basis about assignments and subjects.

2. Get a technology calendar to follow so my students are being introduced to all levels of technology and not just wasting time. Make technology meaningful to them so they appreciate it and can function independently.

I plan to set goals for myself so I can accomplish the goals. I want to give myself a good 6 month time frame to get everything in order and find research and data to enhance my understanding and make the learning challenging and understandable for my 4th grade students.

Pod for 4th Grade

Here is the link to the Podcast I did with 4 of my 4th Grade Students...

http://www.teachertube.com/members/music.php?music_id=966&title=4th_Grade_Technology

Didn't turn out the best but am enjoying learning new things!!

Demographics:

Small town in Southwest Michigan with a school population of around 950 students. The median household income is around $31,000. (http://www.muninetguide.com/states/michigan/municipality/Gobles.php)

NEW BLOG!!

NEW BLOG!!!!!!!

I was having trouble with my previous Blog and could not navigate well. Taught me a lesson I should shop around before choosing the best purchase!!

Evaluating 21st Century Skills

September 29, 2009

Evaluating 21st Century Skills
By:tmivester

http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/

Your reaction to the Web site...

This website is a great tool for technology. This is exactly what I was looking for as an educator lost in what to do for my students with technology. It gives an in depth look at what tools all students will need when they enter into the world outside of public education. I am trully astonished that this site provides so much information and ideas to support a classroom teacher and every level of students. What information on the site surprised you?
I was very suprised when I saw the framework and student outcomes. This is something many teachers can understand and set goals towards. To see this in printing makes me excited to share this with collegues and to get a jump start in technology.

Did you disagree with anything on the site? Explain.
I did not disagree with anything on this website. I am very enthusiastic to what it offers. The first time visiting this website I spent almost 2 hours clicking my way through all the material it offered.

What are the implications for your students, and for you as a contemporary educator?
The implications for my students is that the possibilities are endless to ensure they are set for 21st century technology. To excel in technolgy and to provide goals and standards set for a very wide open subject. It provides material that I can present to prove what students should be learning through technology.

"The Partnership for 21st Century Skills has emerged as the leading advocacy organization focused on infusing 21st century skills into education. The organization brings together the business community, education leaders, and policymakers to define a powerful vision for 21st century education to ensure every child's success as citizens and workers in the 21st century. The Partnership encourages schools, districts and states to advocate for the infusion of 21st century skills into education and provides tools and resources to help facilitate and drive change."— Partnership for 21st Century Skills

4th Grade Technology...

September 19, 2009
4th Grade Technology
By tmivester
In teaching 4th graders technology I have found it very hard to communicate effectively because most of the students in my class do not even have a computer at home. I try and teach them independence but yet they have a hard time when they do not even know how to turn on a computer. I use many fun websites such as; www.studyisland.com www.spellingcity.com and I try to find many interesting webquests to keep them involved with technology. I don't understand why so many parents hold back on allowing there children to begin to deepend there understanding of technology. At the beginning of each year I set up an email through Gaggle email which our school has and many parents complain that there students are too young to have email. I think there is a scare from the parents because they are not familiar with any sort of technology