Reflection

This course has helped me develop my own technology skills as a professional teacher by allowing me to utilize something that I would probably not if I was left to do it alone.  I have learned so much about blogs, wikis, and podcasts that I would not have otherwise.  I have deepened my knowledge of the teaching and learning process in many ways.  Learning so much from this course about the web 2.0 tools and what they can do for me as a teacher and for my students is remarkable.  Students will not only be learning inside the classroom but outside as well because learning does not stop when the school day is over.  Educating students on blogs, wikis, and podcasts will allow students more knowledge for their future in the real world.  I have been able to change my perspective from being teacher-centered to learner-centered because teaching is not done by the teacher only.  It is not suppose to be a lecturing process either, however; effectively modeling and allowing students to guide the teaching process is what it should look like.  To increase student achievement with technology being the aim, I will continue to expand my knowledge of learning by educating myself with the upcoming 2.0 tools that are available so that I can effectively teach my students.  I believe that when I increase my knowledge my students will also get the benefits and be successful with the new web 2.0 tools.  Unfortunately there are a lot of students that don’t have the technology at home to make use of so by guiding my students in class and allowing them an experience with technology that perhaps they might not get otherwise.  For students that have access this increases there learning outside the classroom and allows them the opportunity to work and communicate with millions of others world wide.  I will continue to learn new things and am excited and willing to utilize the new information to benefit my student’s futures.  Two long term goals that I have set for myself are, integrating technology into my lessons and teaching my students about podcasting, blogs, or wikis (just one to start with).  I plan to accomplish these goals by making notes to myself about the students needs and what is important to them and what they will get from these lessons.  I also plan to utilize blogs, wikis, and podcasts so that I can teach it to my students as well and getting other teachers on board so we can work together making it beneficial to all students as well as teachers.  Yes, some of my answers have changed from week one’s checklist.  This course I have learned so much about blogs, wikis, and podcasts that I did not know about starting this course.  Now that I have had the chance to experience these things and learn more about them by utilizing them, I believe my students will be able to learn some exciting things that can be utilized inside and outside the classroom.

Exploring the Partnership for the 21st Century Skills

If you haven’t already please take a look at the Partnership for 21^st Century Skills website located at Partnership for 21st Century Skills.  This site has useful information regarding skills, knowledge and expertise our students should master in order to succeed in the working world as we know it today.  I have found valuable information including what the 21^st Century Skills look like, guidelines for teachers to follow when planning professional development as well as videos that have really brought this framework to life for me.

Some of the information on the site that helped me develop a new understanding of the issues surrounding the 21^st Century skills were the articles because, they had so much information that helped me understand what this framework is, and could do if we were all on board.  I like the fact that the 21^st Century Skills is real, rigorous, and rewarding for all that take a part in it.  It doesn’t just stop when you graduate high school this is information and knowledge that is linked to learning a career that you pick and can take with you.  Also to support what it could do were the videos which I felt, were a big part as well.

For me as a contemporary educator I feel that if educating my students the 21^st Century Skills way will help the attendance issues that we have state wide and decrease the drop out rates that we face each year this is what I would want to be teaching.  If we can engage our students with new approaches to career and technical education to benefit them for their future why are there only 15 out of 50 states on board and mine is NOT one?  The students that take part in the 21^st Century Skills are better prepared to succeed in today’s real world than those that do not get the chance to.