New Beginnings

Where has the time gone?  Only eight short weeks ago, I had never posted a blog, and saw very little purpose in creating one.  I feel like I have come such a long way and learned so much.  I have been forced out of my comfort zone and have had to do things I would not have done otherwise.  I am really looking forward to using all the things I have learned with my students this year.  My webquest, my technology-enhanced lesson plan, my iPad (our emerging technology project), even podcasts might find a way into my classroom this year.

I think more than anything, I have discovered that I can use technology in authentic ways that enhance students’ learning of primary curriculum, rather than being just something else to do.  I am feeling more creative in my teaching than I have in years, in ways that I believe will become natural to me and will fit into my personal teaching style and beliefs of how students learn best.

I cannot even begin to explain how I anticipate how my teaching practice will change.  I will absolutely be looking for ways and times to integrate technology.  Even my room arrangement will have to be modified to accommodate this new focus to my instruction.  My NETS standards will be included in my planning binder along with my standards, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences.  I will be planning with technology in mind, which is going to be something completely new and different for me and for my students.  I think they will be so excited (especially for my fourth graders!)

Though this is likely my last blog on this site, I am not seeing this as an ending but rather a beginning, the beginning of a new way of teaching and viewing technology.

The Teacher's Teacher

Teaching with technology is an important step for me, personally and professionally.  But what about helping my colleagues to see the significance of this instructional media and encouraging them to "jump on the bandwagon" with me?  Is this something I am ready to do?  How can I go about this with respect and integrity when I am only just beginning to incorporate technology in meaningful ways myself?

I think the first thing I need to do is to share my enthusiasm, and my students’ enthusiasm, for this “newfound” teaching method.  Teachers’ curiosity tends to be piqued by students’ excitement.

Next, I need to share concrete ways in which to use technology in the classroom.  I know that I am much more likely to use new ideas when I have been given ways to use them, rather than having to sort it all out on my own.  Good, bad, or otherwise, it is the plain and simple truth that teachers are busy people who do not always have the time to develop new activities, especially when they are unfamiliar with the method of delivery.

I anticipate that one way to really help the other teachers to see the effectiveness of using technology in their classrooms is by allowing them to experience it for themselves.  Creating a PowerPoint presentation to explain the importance of integrating technology and for sharing examples and creating a webquest designed to guide them through how to use our available technology are two tools that I could use.

I think the most important part of being a leader is leading by example.  I cannot lead where I am not willing to go.  I love being a teacher, whether I am teaching my students or I am facilitating the learning of my colleagues.  My passion for learning, my own and others, is what I believe makes me the teacher I am.  Sharing that passion is what makes me the teacher I want to be.