• To the extent that you achieved the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not?
I did achieve the outcomes I envisioned for this course, which were to learn more about technology, make it more accessible to students, incorporate it into our (current) curriculum, and use it more in the classrooms. However, I am still learning about technology. I have currently implemented lesson plans for my team that does include techniques and advice that I have learned by taking this course. Taking this course has opened my mind to various ways of incorporating technology into our grade level curriculum. I would like to move beyond Smart Boards, projectors, and videos into the world of blogs and wiki. Those outcomes are extremely relevant and critical in the work that I do at my school. As an educator, I must strive to create lessons that not only inform and educate my students, but also engage and motivate them to learn. As a school leader, I must work diligently to ensure that my campus is responding to the needs and expectations of the 21st century learner. This includes providing adequate and consistent accessibility to the internet and other modes of technology.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
• How can you use blogging to communicate with school stakeholders?
Blog and blogging are fairly new concepts in the world of education. However, blogs and blogging can be a very effective tool in communicating with parents, administrators, students, and other school stakeholders. If maintained correctly and consistently, blogs can offer a unique glimpse into the classroom. Blogs are a way for parents to interact with the teacher, as well as the students by offering insight, answering questions, and offering commentary and feedback. Parents are able to view their students work and progress, further strengthening the bond between home and classroom. A blog is also a great digital tool that will provide evidence to campus administrators, district administrators, board members, and even community members of how students are using technology and how important technology is in the classroom. I would use a blog to create a stronger sense of community between myself, my classroom, my students, the parents, and all other school stakeholders
Blog and blogging are fairly new concepts in the world of education. However, blogs and blogging can be a very effective tool in communicating with parents, administrators, students, and other school stakeholders. If maintained correctly and consistently, blogs can offer a unique glimpse into the classroom. Blogs are a way for parents to interact with the teacher, as well as the students by offering insight, answering questions, and offering commentary and feedback. Parents are able to view their students work and progress, further strengthening the bond between home and classroom. A blog is also a great digital tool that will provide evidence to campus administrators, district administrators, board members, and even community members of how students are using technology and how important technology is in the classroom. I would use a blog to create a stronger sense of community between myself, my classroom, my students, the parents, and all other school stakeholders
• How can you use blogging to communicate with school stakeholders?
Blog and blogging are fairly new concepts in the world of education. However, blogs and blogging can be a very effective tool in communicating with parents, administrators, students, and other school stakeholders. If maintained correctly and consistently, blogs can offer a unique glimpse into the classroom. Blogs are a way for parents to interact with the teacher, as well as the students by offering insight, answering questions, and offering commentary and feedback. Parents are able to view their students work and progress, further strengthening the bond between home and classroom. A blog is also a great digital tool that will provide evidence to campus administrators, district administrators, board members, and even community members of how students are using technology and how important technology is in the classroom. I would use a blog to create a stronger sense of community between myself, my classroom, my students, the parents, and all other school stakeholders
Blog and blogging are fairly new concepts in the world of education. However, blogs and blogging can be a very effective tool in communicating with parents, administrators, students, and other school stakeholders. If maintained correctly and consistently, blogs can offer a unique glimpse into the classroom. Blogs are a way for parents to interact with the teacher, as well as the students by offering insight, answering questions, and offering commentary and feedback. Parents are able to view their students work and progress, further strengthening the bond between home and classroom. A blog is also a great digital tool that will provide evidence to campus administrators, district administrators, board members, and even community members of how students are using technology and how important technology is in the classroom. I would use a blog to create a stronger sense of community between myself, my classroom, my students, the parents, and all other school stakeholders
• What are the concerns of blogs and blogging in education?
As with any other type of internet use, such as MySpace, there are also safety issues and concerns surrounding blogs and blogging in education. We must educate our students about the dangers of the internet, but we must not shield them from those dangers. One of the main concerns about blogs and blogging is cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is one of the most popular internet occurrences and often goes unreported. Many students are unaware of what cyberbullying is and/or they are afraid to report it. Students must be educated on cyberbullying, know what it is, know what to do if and when they encounter it, as well as how to avoid being victims of it. Another concern of blogs and blogging in education is the school’s acceptable use policy. Again, students should be aware of what types of posts will be tolerated and accepted. Teachers must also explain internet/blogging etiquette and password confidentiality
As with any other type of internet use, such as MySpace, there are also safety issues and concerns surrounding blogs and blogging in education. We must educate our students about the dangers of the internet, but we must not shield them from those dangers. One of the main concerns about blogs and blogging is cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is one of the most popular internet occurrences and often goes unreported. Many students are unaware of what cyberbullying is and/or they are afraid to report it. Students must be educated on cyberbullying, know what it is, know what to do if and when they encounter it, as well as how to avoid being victims of it. Another concern of blogs and blogging in education is the school’s acceptable use policy. Again, students should be aware of what types of posts will be tolerated and accepted. Teachers must also explain internet/blogging etiquette and password confidentiality
• What is the educational value of blogs and blogging to the 21st century learner?
As a campus leader my thoughts on how to teach the 21st century learner is quite open-minded. I see these students in class daily force to swallow and regurgitate informational facts that are out of date or that have no future creditability. What I am mean is that we are preparing a future world of students for the unknown. We have no idea what jobs await them but I do know they aren’t the traditional everyday jobs that we seek in current unemployment offices. I envision future jobs being very innovative and the employer seeking a technological savvy person to fill it. In that truth, I cringe almost every time I see a hand written book report, or observe a teacher in her attempt to educate with white chalk on a blackboard. It is vital that we support our students’ education by allowing them the opportunity to become independent learners, strong problem solvers and effective designers. This is one advantage that students will have if we introduce blogging to our students. I think that blogging will serve as a great educational value to students by providing several of ways to generate and communicate information.
Blogs and wiki are the next step in the technology and digital classrooms. Blogs and blogging can be extremely beneficial to the 21st century learner. Not only do blogs offer parents, administrators, students, and other educators a glimpse into the classroom, they also allow teachers to use them as a tool to support teaching and foster the development of a learning community. By giving students a wider audience, blogs allow the author and others to share experiences, offer commentary, offer support, and answer questions. If a student knows the world is watching, this may also motivate them to work harder and give their best work. By gaining different perspectives to their blogs, students are able to see their work in a different perspective, which could produce greater results. Blogging also promotes social, written communication, and digital literacy skills. Blogs are ideal for classroom management, collaboration, discussions, and student profiles. They definitely add value to education.
As a campus leader my thoughts on how to teach the 21st century learner is quite open-minded. I see these students in class daily force to swallow and regurgitate informational facts that are out of date or that have no future creditability. What I am mean is that we are preparing a future world of students for the unknown. We have no idea what jobs await them but I do know they aren’t the traditional everyday jobs that we seek in current unemployment offices. I envision future jobs being very innovative and the employer seeking a technological savvy person to fill it. In that truth, I cringe almost every time I see a hand written book report, or observe a teacher in her attempt to educate with white chalk on a blackboard. It is vital that we support our students’ education by allowing them the opportunity to become independent learners, strong problem solvers and effective designers. This is one advantage that students will have if we introduce blogging to our students. I think that blogging will serve as a great educational value to students by providing several of ways to generate and communicate information.
Blogs and wiki are the next step in the technology and digital classrooms. Blogs and blogging can be extremely beneficial to the 21st century learner. Not only do blogs offer parents, administrators, students, and other educators a glimpse into the classroom, they also allow teachers to use them as a tool to support teaching and foster the development of a learning community. By giving students a wider audience, blogs allow the author and others to share experiences, offer commentary, offer support, and answer questions. If a student knows the world is watching, this may also motivate them to work harder and give their best work. By gaining different perspectives to their blogs, students are able to see their work in a different perspective, which could produce greater results. Blogging also promotes social, written communication, and digital literacy skills. Blogs are ideal for classroom management, collaboration, discussions, and student profiles. They definitely add value to education.
• What did you learn from this course…about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes?
I do not consider myself a digital immigrant or technologically ignorant by any means. However, this course taught me that there are many avenues of technology that can be incorporated into the classroom; ones that are often overlooked and not thought of. Most teachers, at least on my campus, are relegated to using the expected modes of technology. I would like to see some of the teachers incorporate a blog in their classroom. The course was difficult at times, but it taught me perseverance. There were moments when I wanted to slack on the assignment or not do it at all. Nevertheless, I kept at it and now I feel a great sense of accomplishment knowing that I finished. I have a positive and optimistic view of technology and as a leader, I realize it is my duty to ensure my staff feels comfortable with technology and provide consistent access to the students in order to prepare them for future learning
I do not consider myself a digital immigrant or technologically ignorant by any means. However, this course taught me that there are many avenues of technology that can be incorporated into the classroom; ones that are often overlooked and not thought of. Most teachers, at least on my campus, are relegated to using the expected modes of technology. I would like to see some of the teachers incorporate a blog in their classroom. The course was difficult at times, but it taught me perseverance. There were moments when I wanted to slack on the assignment or not do it at all. Nevertheless, I kept at it and now I feel a great sense of accomplishment knowing that I finished. I have a positive and optimistic view of technology and as a leader, I realize it is my duty to ensure my staff feels comfortable with technology and provide consistent access to the students in order to prepare them for future learning
• Were you successful in carrying out the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?
This course definitely pushed me to extreme limits and there were times when I doubted myself as a grad student and leader and often wanted to give up. Fortunately I rose to the occasion. The assignments were extremely lengthy, especially Week 4, as were the discussion board expectations. Posting a response to each of the weekly readings was definitely within reason. However, responding to two other quotes from fellow students on the same readings was a bit excessive and discouraging. It was also difficult if other students did not post in a timely manner. I thought about giving up on a few of the weekly assignments, especially week 4. I tried to rationalize that my grades for weeks 1-3 were high and that it would be fine to slack for one week. I decided against this and quickly tried to push those thoughts out of my mind. Even though the course was challenging, I was learning a lot. My personal motto is “Failure Is Not An Option”. By not doing one of the weekly assignments, I was failing in a sense, and to me, that was unacceptable.
This course definitely pushed me to extreme limits and there were times when I doubted myself as a grad student and leader and often wanted to give up. Fortunately I rose to the occasion. The assignments were extremely lengthy, especially Week 4, as were the discussion board expectations. Posting a response to each of the weekly readings was definitely within reason. However, responding to two other quotes from fellow students on the same readings was a bit excessive and discouraging. It was also difficult if other students did not post in a timely manner. I thought about giving up on a few of the weekly assignments, especially week 4. I tried to rationalize that my grades for weeks 1-3 were high and that it would be fine to slack for one week. I decided against this and quickly tried to push those thoughts out of my mind. Even though the course was challenging, I was learning a lot. My personal motto is “Failure Is Not An Option”. By not doing one of the weekly assignments, I was failing in a sense, and to me, that was unacceptable.
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