As I watched the videos and read this week, the realization of how much technology has changed over the past few years grew. Resources and information is there, but time to find it is scarce. I spent a few hours last night looking at different sites.
Finding a blog dealing with technology and my content area has not been easy. I find myself wondering if I am looking in the wrong places. I joined 2 or 3 different educational blog sites and still did not find exactly what I was looking for. With such of wealth of information out there, how can I streamline my searches to find what I need?
Although I did spend a lot time looking through different sites and blogs, I did find a diamond in the rough. As a high school teacher, if I had realized this site was mainly for elementary teachers I may have overlooked it. Let’s just say I am glad I missed that information…. I found the video on this blog intriguing. The images and message is clear – as an educator, I need to get with the program and engage my students in new and innovating ways. I plan to share the video with my colleagues. I hope you will take the time to view it.
http://eledblog.com/content/teaching-21st-century#comment-50
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I have had many of the same encounters while I was in the process of finding informative and meaningful blog sites I could contribute to. Overall the process has been informative. I have had a chance to reflect and examine my own skills and knowledge of technology. During this journey I have come to the conclusion that my difficulties and questions in performing this task is merely second nature to our students.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to thank you for directing me to the 21st Century Learners link. The message provided in this video left no question that not only technology has changed the way we live but it also requires us to change our methods of delivering instruction to our students if we want learning to occur.
I have observed that most of my students learn more when being engaged with an activity. Communication and interaction is the key for the learners in todays society. These are the same characteristics we find in technology today that we were not offered in the past. Even though this is the case, as an educator, I do not feel there is much of a concern for schools are ready to adapt these different practices. Instead, the focus is still on standardized testing scores. Isn't it more important to train and supply teachers with the appropriate skills and materials to deliver appropriate instruction for these students to learn?
How can we encourage our students to learn when they are entering classrooms with no technological resources discouraged due to to fact that is the way in which they learn? Are we really "making a difference" in their education this way?
Oftentimes it feels as if standardized test scores are more important than actual student learning. Just a couple of weeks ago, I sat before two administrators to discuss my test scores from the spring semester and how I can improve test score not the amount of student learning taking place.
ReplyDeleteTechnology has changed the way we live, such as how we make purchases electronically in stores and online. Through the use of cell phones we can be reached almost anywhere at anytime. We can connect with people across town, the country and even across the world. We "chat" in real time through instant messaging and see each other through webcams.
Yet when our children walk into a classroom, many of the rooms are not equipped for current technology. We are living in a society that connects us to each other and information instantly, but in the classroom it feels as if we have moved back in time.
Even though the technology in my classroom is limited to an overhead, an lcd projector, and one computer, I realize I may have more technology than other teachers. I am hoping through the technology classes and master’s program, I can learn enough to effectively implement more technology in day to day teaching.
Right now I am feeling a little overwhelmed by how much is information is available and am looking for more efficient ways to sort through it all.