So yesterday most of us in ECMP 355 presented our summary of learning. Everyone did a really awesome job, and everyone incorporated something different into their presentation. I hadn’t really thought too much about using programs like Jing and Prezi before yesterday’s class, but I’ll definitely look into it now that I’ve got an idea of how it works.
It’s unfortunate though that when I graduate I’ll probably be teaching primary grades and not senior grades, so it’s hard to tell what I’ve learned from this class that I can actually incorporate into my teaching routine. Maybe that’s just me being a little closed minded, but it’s hard to imagine primary students using some of this stuff that I can’t even figure out for myself. I definitely think it’s important to incorporate some aspects of technology into younger classrooms, but in my opinion younger children should be more encouraged to explore the natural world, before they embark on the high-tech world.
I’m more than welcoming to the idea of a class blog, because I think that would benefit students, parents, and many other teachers. And although we weren’t really exposed to Smart Boards, I would love to have one in my class because I think they would make a fantastic tool for teaching and learning.
I think what I’ve learned most from this class is that I have a digital identity, and as teachers we no longer have to isolate ourselves. As I build my digital identity I can connect to teachers across the world easier than ever. The idea that there’s this huge network of teachers happy and willing to share resources with me and all other teachers is a great feeling. As teachers we no longer have to worry about not having enough content, it’s knowing what content to focus on, and the most engaging and innovative ways to teach it.
Although I haven’t jumped on the Twitter bandwagon just yet, I fully expect to start building up my social network of teachers who tweet very soon. Another tool I hope to keep building on is my social bookmarking account on Delicious. I can bookmark everything I need, and it’s available to me on any computer I use, and other people that I am connected to can check out my bookmarks and I can check out theirs. A plethora of interesting, educational websites right at my finger tips.
Google has also served as a great tool this semester. What used to be just a search engine to me is now so much more. As I discover more and more blogs from other teachers and educators, Google Reader has been a great tool to have to keep me updated on other bloggers I’m interested in, and it will continue to be something I’ll use into my teaching career. Another program that I’ve found incredibly useful this semester was Google Docs. Any document I am working on I can put onto Google Docs and share it with whoever I want, and then they can edit and add to it as well. This is a great tool if you have a group project that needs to be done and there isn’t time to meet, or if you’re writing a paper and want someone’s input. Both great tools for teachers.
So maybe some of what I learned isn’t necessarily meant for application in the classroom or for students themselves to use, although sometimes that may be the case. So much of what I’ve learned will serve in making me a better teacher by broadening my horizons, opening my mind to new ideas, and connecting with other teachers available to help me whenever I need teaching assistance. It’s reassuring to know as I venture into my teaching career, I am not alone; I have an entire network behind me to help.
