Reflections on Technology

Something that popped into my head while I’ve been working my way through the course is having an awareness of the amount and type of tech we choose to use in the classroom.  While great ideas have been emerging fast and furious throughout it is key to remember that we should be using technology with a clear purpose in mind and not simply for the sake of it.  It has a great many benefits for students with or without special learning needs so there is no doubt that we should be using technology as educators.  That being said sometimes there needs to be a limit, for example when implementing new products, apps etc. we need to learn to use them well in order to convey that to students, otherwise we ourselves will become overwhelmed.  The key is finding a balance.

I think one of the things that I like best about online courses is sharing stories of successes and failures when using new technology.  It is always more helpful when someone can tell you about what they have done with a task, new technology etc. From there you can decide which elements to try out for yourself, tweaking things to make them fit your own classroom.  Within the Standards of Practice, this is the kind of open collaboration you need to continue to grow in your own practice. It's the kind of collaboration we encourage our own students to do so why wouldn't we do it ourselves?

Assistive Technology: Necessary for Some, Good for All

The idea behind this statement had been cropping up in my mind throughout the latest unit of my course.  I kept feeling that in a lot of cases, when deciding on where and how to use technology in the classroom it automatically made it easier for my students with specific learning needs to be more successful.  When carefully choosing what tech to use, the process of meeting students’ needs becomes more fluid.  All students benefit from resources that can help with organization, engagement, creativity etc.  Having multiple options open to students, like in my lesson for Settlers of New France for example, each student is able to jump in where they feel comfortable and everyone is still accessing the same information and activities.  While many students would have been able to complete a pen and paper task, my students with special needs would have struggled.  They need assistive technology to reach their potential.  But the benefits are not just limited to them.  Having a variety of options open means everyone can try and explore something new to them.  All students can access material that they might otherwise not be able to and do this independently. This leads to more confidence, better discussions, understanding, collaboration and ultimately performance for everyone in the classroom.

Reflections on Learning Experience #1

I think a key idea that I had even during the first part of this course and that keeps coming back again and again is to choose one thing and try it.  Stick with it though, not just a one-off attempt and then abandoning it, but a really solid go with something new in the classroom.  It could be that it just needs tweaking to work for you and your students.  I'm learning to just take a deep breath and relax when I'm bombarded with new apps and programs for the classroom because trying to fit in every new idea that comes along will drive you crazy pretty quickly and usually ends up with you doing that same lessons that you've always done in the same way because you are frustrated.

I like that I have the chance to work on a blog separate from my school account because it is a) my own personal thoughts and b) helps me work through ideas that will eventually make their way back to the classroom, either through direct activities or positive changes through reflection.  I've learned more about VoiceThreads and using Skype in the classroom which are the two things highest on my list to try this year along with refining my use of my class website/blog. (I think I may have broken my just try one thing rule there)

"Who dares to teach, must never cease to learn." John Cotton Dana

A quote in keeping with my last thoughts on reflecting on learning and ultimately why I continue to take courses like this one.  They connect to all our Standards of Practice.  I'm looking to discuss and learn from other professionals who feel the way I do about teaching. I continue to look for feedback and improve what I do not just for myself but for my students. If I want them to grow then I need to continue to grow. I want them to know that I am a life-long learner and that acquiring knowledge doesn't end when you get handed a diploma. Without continuing on your own path of learning you can't hope to keep pace and nowhere is this more true than in the field of technology.  There is always something new to learn.

Reflection is Part of Your Work

Okay so this is me officially becoming a blogger. This first one is in response to George Couros' blog post, Another Reason to Blog; Proactive Through Reflection.  As teachers we've all reflected on our work either on our own or as part of teaching teams.  But let's face it, most of us last remember writing any of those post-lesson thoughts down during Teacher's College when it was mandatory.  I agree that reflecting on what we are doing is the only way to grow and continue to meet student's needs so it should be considered "part of our work", that's the only way we'll ever make the time for it.  

As Couros' pointed out in his original post, time is what we lack.  Taking the time to sit down and actually reflect makes you really slow down and take a look at things, rather than barreling through curriculum expectations, meetings and all the other day to day items that fill our plate.  Having attempted reflective journals before, as well as personal journals, photo scrapbooks etc. only to give them up after awhile, I can see the benefit of setting up a blog as your base.  Tags and categories mean you can actually find specific information when you need to go back to it.  That's why most journaling type activities failed for me in the past...I rarely went back to look at them again...and then the novelty wore off.

Hopefully by beginning my own blogging journey I'll finally have a way to keep my learning accessible and meaningful to me.  I'd also like to think I'll become more comfortable with the whole creative process in general and be able to use it with my students.  So far I have a classroom blog that I'd like to take beyond the simple posting of notes, videos and homework for my classes.