Self Evaluation

I think the most important tools for 21st century learning are all the concepts that we learned about this week in Daniel Pink's book "A Whole New Mind".  We need to teach students to think outside the box, we need them to have creativity without being limited on their thinking.

The most important technology skills to infuse in my classroom will be working on the computer and using Web 2.0 and learning about all the different tools out there.

Create/Innovate:  Class Project for next year

Communicate/Collaborate: Chapter Discussion

Problem Solve/Critically Think: Blogging

Changes I can implement today is using the Web more to find information and tools to enhance the students thinking and my own thinking.

Create more than Consumed: No, we did a lot of creating some activities or registered on some sites, but I consumed so many different examples and websites to visit.  I just wish I had more time to explore the websites in class and share those with created examples from the sites.

Contribute to a Collective/Shared Body of Knowledge: Yes, by working with Julie on the chapter that we discussed.

Participate in digital dialogue: Yes, by daily reflections and ichating work.

Use Self Directed or Discover Learning:  By being given a few hours to explore Web 2.0 and learn tools and different websites on my own.

My thinking has changed from taking this course because I have an overload amount of information and ideas to incorporate into my classroom next year!  Thanks Katie:)

Friday Reflection

Podcasting is a great way for students to ask the questions and present the information.  To also connect to others outside the classroom.  The students make it really personal because it is their voice and their feelings being displayed.  Podcasts need to have a good foundation, good quality, roots in what they are studying, and aware of their audience.  Students need to spend 80% of the time finding their information and 20% of the time recording it.  Students need to develop arguments on subjects and learn that it is okay to see differently on topics.  

Thursday's Reflection

Each day I am learning more and more about what is out there on the internet.  I am enjoying looking at the different websites and building my delicious account.  I liked the power point on the 6 points to remember when teaching.  These are some really great points that will help me next year.  I also liked Lindy's suggestion on ask 3 other students before the teacher:)

9 Principles for Implementation

"We can see significant change when change happens first at the level of the individual educational leader."  I liked this.  It is so true, we the teachers, or principals and superintendents must see the reason for change before we can expect anybody else to change.  We have to be excited about it and jump right in to learning as much as we can.  The whole world is changing and if we refuse to change, we are going to be left behind or in the dark.  Which leads me into the other point the article had to say.  That there are staff members in schools that are resistant against change.  I think these staff members are just scared of the unknown.  They do not have any experience in the new technology and are afraid of failure.  Well, guess what, this is the 21st century and we have to step outside the box and use our right brains.  Otherwise what are we teaching the students of the future?  Left brain thinking and the rest of the countries will surpass us.  The article says that if the school system has a great staff leader to head off all the insecurities then the faculty that are resist will become more relaxed knowing they have a great leader.  I personally think Katie has done a tremendous job on getting technology in the O'Neill school system and being that kind of leader.

Wednesday Reflection

The book by Daniel Pink sounds very interesting.  Brian and Kaye did a great job at presenting it and giving examples.  I liked checking out all the different websites with projects for ideas for my classroom.  There is just so much out there and I know there is even more!  I found the voice threads website interesting.  I tried doing a voice thread but could not get it to do multiple slides on the same movie.  I need to play around with it more to figure it out.

Web 2.0 Tool Promo

This was my promotion for...

Been Verified:  www.beenverified.com

Anti-Teaching

This article goes along with what we have been discussing all week.  A lot of the text were things we have gone over, but there were a few things that jumped out at me.  First, creating an interactive classroom.  Making a classroom a comfortable and fun atmosphere to learn in.  I think about all the different classroom that I have been in as a student and remember learning better when I was relaxed and felt comfortable.  The second thing that jumped out at me was the statement of having students ask the good questions.  We as teachers feel we need to engage the students by asking them a question that will challenge their thinking.  So why not make the student ask good challenging questions too.