Reflections on Educational Technology

When I began taking this technology for educators class I was a little upset about it.  I really didn't think that I would learn more than I have already used in my classes.  I assumed it would be a more updated version of using Microsoft Office.  Also as a parent volunteer in my kids' elementary school I have not really seen the use of up to date technology.  I'm used to seeing lessons taught with the aid of a computer and a projection screen but not much more than that.  Again I was under the false impression that this was what I had to look forward to.

After the first few assignments I started to realize how much more there is to technology for educators.  I was genuinely surprised to see how much there is out there for teachers to utilize in their classrooms. Another preconceived notion was that technology is a tool for educators to use to enhance lessons.  I did not have any idea that we as educators could use technology to actively engage our students.  Web 2.0 was a completely foreign concept to me.  I have never heard of it nor have I ever used it until this class.  I am really excited about teaching to a group of students that can interact with me and with each other through the use of Web 2.0 tools.

Another pleasant surprise to me was how much there is to do in Google.  Up until now I used my email and Google chat.  Then I discovered I could create a blog and I did!  I have never even looked at a blog until I created one and now I can't help but to seek out blogs that will help me as both a student and a teacher.  Then there was our big PBL project.  This was so intimidating to me.  I had no idea where to even begin.  The process of using Google Sites was very frustrating.  However, I am thrilled with the final project.  A friend of mine is even using it in her classroom this year.  Needless to say, I am really proud of what I accomplished especially considering how scared I was when we began that project.
As this class wraps up I am so happy that we as educators are required to take it.  I have really learned so much about how technology can be used in the classroom.  Now I genuinely look forward to using the lessons that I have learned in this class to enhance the learning of my students.  I actually find it funny that I didn't realize how much technology has grown since I was a student.  Especially since if you think about it, it's kind of common sense.  Technology doesn't move backwards.  This class has also made me realize that I will have to continually learn as our technological innovations grow and now I look forward to it.

PBL: A Reflection

This past week I created my first PBL project in Google Sites.  Over the past few weeks I came up with a project idea, formed an outline, created a proposal, and finally created a project for my 7th graders-to-be.  I must admit after coming up with a project idea the next few steps weren't too difficult to complete.  They took a little bit of time but were doable.  Creating the Google Site on the other hand was definitely more of a challenge than I thought it would be.  I had a pretty difficult time creating the site.  I couldn't quite get the pages to look right, I had issues with reordering pages with embedding other pages that I had created and editing my content.   However, in the end I am really happy with how the final site turned out.  It was a really good learning experience for me even though I was pretty frustrated during the process.  I am really looking forward to using this project in my future classroom.

As for the use of PBL itself I think it is the most practical way to teach.  I have always found that applying concepts to real situations has helped me to retain information.  Memorizing formulas does not make any math concept meaningful, applying a math concept makes the formula useful.  Looking back at math classes I took, it seems like I was taught to take tests.  Concepts were never really applied to real life situations.  I think students would have been more enthusiastic about learning had they been given opportunities like this.  I am sure I would have been.  I think it also important to note that I was in junior high school way before the internet so PBL was probably a little more difficult to implement but I still think it could have been done to some extent.

As far as the CCSS are concerned I think that they serve as a great guide that really helped me develop my project.  Having a specific set of skills that I am required to teach helped me to really shape my project.  The standards gave me great ideas to incorporate and the confidence to know that I will be teaching my students what they need to know but in a way that will help them retain the concepts.

I feel lucky that I am going to be going into junior high to teach.  By this time students should be very used to using the internet for research purposes.  I think that PBL might be harder to implement in the younger elementary school level simply because they don't have the skills yet.  As a future educator I look forward to implementing PBL into my classroom.  I feel teaching in this way is a great benefit to students as it will enable them to become problem-solvers.

Project Based Learning

Project Based Learning (PBL) is a great way for educators to bring the 21st century into the classroom. It allows students to learn through real life scenarios as opposed to traditional textbook learning.  It gives students the chance to actively participate in the learning process.   Students get to work with each other in teams which allows for the sharing of ideas and information.  It is a much more engaging style of learning.   The following video shows PBL in action.  The students here are making balloon cars using science, language arts, math and technology.

BIEPL (2010 August 30). Middle School Project: Balloon Car. Retrieved from

http://www.bie.org/videos/video/middle_school_project_balloon_car

This project uses all of the essential learning functions of PBL.  One of those being collaboration they were able to take the project out into the community to learn from experts in auto sales.  They were then able to take the information and apply it to their project.   They also were able to work together in teams  as you would in real life.   This project also required a lot of research, another essential learning function.   They had to use the web to find out information about cars.   They then had to use their research to figure out different parts of their project.  They used their research to write commercials, figure out loans and environmental impact.  

PBL is a 21st century approach to education that begins with driving questions then becomes a collaborative effort between teachers of different subjects and results in a fun learning environment for students.  PBL brings learning to a whole new level. I look forward to using PBL in my classroom.

My Educational Philosophy

I believe that not all students learn in the same way.  As a future educator I feel that technology is the key to reaching more students than ever before.  As a student before the technology was everywhere I often had difficulties in learning material in some subjects. As a student now the amount of information I have access to just with my cell phone amazes me.  I certainly do believe that as educators we need to embrace and use all the technology we can in the classroom.  As a person who is attached to my phone I do understand the need to be constantly updated on everything. I check my emails ten times a day.  I am constantly texting and on social media sites.  I understand the need that students have to be constantly connected digitally.  As an educator I am excited to use that in my classroom

Lecturing from a textbook may work for some students but it has always been the case that some simply need to have information presented to them in nontraditional ways. That number of students will steadily increase as the amount of technology around them increases. With the amount of access everyone now has that is a much easier task for educators who are willing to embrace it.  I am excited to be able to use technology in various ways in my classroom.  I am excited to be able to connect with my students in and out of the classroom with digital media.  I also love the idea that apps and games can be created to help students who do not learn traditionally.  I also look forward to using these tools to track progress and see where students need help.  I think that will make me a better teacher. 

Of course with everything so easily accessed there are drawbacks.  I enjoy human interaction and that is something that I see less and less of.  Everywhere you look people are on their smart phones.   I do worry that with all the uses for technology there are in the classroom that overuse will lead to a lack of human contact.  I feel that students need to feel personal connections with their teachers in order to be able to really succeed in school.  There is definitely a need for greater use of technology in the classroom, but I feel it is equally important to keep a personal relationship that involves direct interaction between students and their teachers as well as their peers.