Digital-Age Teaching Professionals
As a Math and Science teacher I have tried to incorporate technology into many of my lessons as a way to facilitate learning, keep students focused, and to promote creativity.
I currently use a teacher website for all my classes, to post assignment due dates, provide printable assignment copies, post upcoming test dates, and provide useful weblinks for extra practice, in an effort to model digital citizenship and promote responsibility. In my advisory class, I have incorporated the use of Blogging as a way to discuss pertinent topics regarding school climate and culture, also in an effort to promote digital citizenship and responsibility. In my science classes, I have created projects using Photostory3 and Windows Movie Maker to inspire students to be expressive and creative in the presentation of dry factual scientific concepts. In my math classes, I have incorporated virtual manipulatives to aid in learning of abstract topics and used online gaming to illustrate abstract math concepts. I have just started using geometer’s sketchpad in conjunction with the online game Line Rider to conceptualize and calculate the slope of a line. My intent is to inspire students while providing “new” digital ways of looking at “old” topics. One area that I feel I am lacking in is designing digital age learning assessments.
One direction that I would like my flight-path to take me is towards competency using course management software, in particular opportunities to provide to digital assessment to students. I would appreciate an efficient way to assess student performance without having to physically grade tests or quizzes. In addition, I think much of the teaching profession is time management. To learn how to effectively use new technology takes time, and that time must come from somewhere else. Sometimes I feel my efforts to incorporate new technology in the class comes at a cost that outweighs the benefits. I am hoping that this course will provide some strategies as how to best incorporate technology without the enormous sacrifice of unavailable time.
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