Earning My Web 2.0 Degree

This course has introduced me to a variety of new technology tools. I now have my own personal blog, RSS feed, shared wiki page with professional resources, and podcast site. By requiring teachers to set-up these tools, their eyes are opened and they are often pushed past their comfort level with technology. This course has taught me the basics of how to use these tools and their benefit in the classroom. Even more importantly, it has showed me the significance of continuing to learn more about them and their role in my classroom. It is up to me as an educator to develop these new skills and discover ways I can implement them to enhance student learning.

This course has improved my understanding of student’s desire and need for the connection of school learning to their lives that technology provides. I now see the role of a teacher as the facilitator. It is my job to ask thought provoking questions and provide problem based learning projects. It is my job to prepare them for the 21st century including introduction to the global world and how to work in collaborative groups (Dede, 2009). Students need to connect learning to their daily lives, which revolve around technology and multi-tasking. I need to challenge my students to go beyond the classroom walls and outside of books to seek their answers and to be creative in their solutions. Being a successful classroom teacher is about finding and using what works with the students.

I recognize that to be an effective teacher I need to be a life-long learner. I can never let the students and society get ahead of my classroom and teaching methods. I need to earn my green card and become a digital native (Thornburg & Davidson, 2009). I need to continue to experiment and use blogs, wikis, and podcasts to communicate with other professionals and bring these tools and experiences into my classroom. I need to plan engaging and challenging lessons that will build 21st century skills.

A goal I have for this year is for my students to make a movie. Some ideas I have is to have the students write a script for one of the Social Studies units or an advertisement for our persuasive writing unit. To achieve this goal I need to find the correct software. This may provide a slight challenge as I may have to look outside of my building if we do not have it at the elementary level. I am sure the high school has it and I could ask to borrow it. I would ideally like to post our movie to a podcast as students benefit from access to an outside publishing tool (Richardson, 2009).

Another goal I have for myself is to set up a classroom blog. I have grand visions of what they will look and sound like with links to podcasts where if students are having trouble with their homework, they can listen and view a demonstration from the teacher. My blog would also provide weekly communication between school and home and inform parents about what we are learning. This will help open dinner table conversations about school. The obstacles I see developing with this goal are that as of now our district does not allow access to a blog site due to student privacy issues. I will have to find a private blog site or petition my administrator to allow me access. Also, I myself have to become more comfortable using blogs and podcasts in order to use it with my students and families.