The podcasts and information we have received during the second half of this course have been very global. There are so many implications about where technology could and should head in the future. I think as a district we don't have a "vision" of where we are heading and what we would like our schools to be technologically. I think it is time for a diverse stakeholder team to work on that.
As for me, I think I can start small. Certainly starting a wiki, a blog, and doing podcasts will be part of my year next year. But I think I have a responsibility to engage more of my colleagues in the possibilities. I will start with my grade level and see where I can go with them. I think that they are open minded but are not in general risk takers. I would also like to involve the special area teachers - Linda gave me some ideas on how the things I do could inform and benefit her teaching as well.
I would like to keep this blog going with reflections on my successes and trials as I go through this year. Is anyone else interested?
8 comments:
I think each of the buildings probably has its own vision. I think the neat thing about this course is that we have a diverse population. I often don't really know what the other buildings are doing with technology, but it is nice to hear what they are doing. I don't think I am alone in the fact that we often don't know how other buildings are using technology as, many people did not know that several years ago most high schools in Monroe county offered classes over a closed tv system called long distance learning. Most if not all of the schools in the region have given up on this. Perhaps online courses will spur schools to pursue something similar again.
I also feel more teachers need to be involved with the use of technology. You are always one of our "go to" people when we want to try something new and you always give it a try. Just through your efforts, you are showing others how easy, (ok, well maybe not so easy sometimes) it is and how excited the students get.
I would love to be a part of your blog. Though I started my career as an elementary teacher, it has been years since I have worked with young students and am intriqued on how technology is being integrated into the early elementary classroom.
Like you I think it is important to show our colleagues how technology can be easily integrated into the curriculum. Maybe we can do something across buildings?
Global is definitely a term to describe this course. I feel overwhelmed, yet enthusiastic about trying some of what I have learned here. I like your idea of trying to stay connected to each other to share our successes. I wonder if time will permit this? good luck with all that you try. Thanks for sticking with this course.
I would LOVE to see us all stay connected through blogging as we begin to try to implement some of what we talked about and learned here. Count me in and I can be the group "cheerleader" to remind us all to read and blog occasionally if you would like me to. Let's talk about this in our final reflection together.
What a great idea to engage more colleagues in blogs, wikis, and podcasts. I think sometimes teachers need encouragement from other teachers. Some teachers can be resistant to change, oftentimes due to the fear of the unfamiliar. It’s important to be willing to share your technological knowledge, regardless of your level of expertise. The more we help each other, the more we help our students.
I think continued blogging is a great idea. I am so looking forward to working together next year. Even if I'm not scheduled to teach your class I think collaboration would be beneficial as I can connect with the other music teachers and you the other K teachers. I started a similar project not using technology other than e-mail with Heather and Erin as I stated. It would be much easier to monitor our success and communication using blogging and other means of technology. If you don't mind I may make this connection between our two areas my professional goal this year. Thoughts? Concerns?
You have the right idea, Terri...starting small, planing/working together and staying connected for emotional support will help guarantee success. As you may have heard at the DI institute Thursday (included in my final posting), Bill Rich quoted a teacher regarding change & learning. I think it's worth repeating (paraphrasing) here.
By not beginning we avoid progress.
By biting off too much we invite discouragement.
Begin where you can and chart a timeline of your progress.
This is exactly what you're doing with your students and colleagues. Let's keep the momentum going from this summer. I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing how your collaboration with Linda evolves.
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