It is interesting to reflect that I used to be the epitome of a technophobe. It was a great shock to my system, when I was approached by the head of the Professional Development Committee. He asked me to create a course for teachers on how to incorporate Web 2.0 tools into the classroom.
I thought to myself, what the heck is Web 2.0?
Without thinking, I agreed.
At the time I would have defined my current practice of Facilitating and Inspiring student learning and creativity using technology (NETS, 2008) as dismally poor.
Regardless, I could not say ‘no’. I had a terrible, crippling fear of technology. I had to change by perspective and this was the only way to do it!
Though I was only one page ahead of my fellow colleagues, I became inspired to apply my new understanding and skills into my classroom. My students learned to collaborate on lab write-ups through ‘google’ documents. As a class, we created wikis that explored particular problems in Mathematics. Students summarized their investigation in Space Science by developing and presenting their own WebPages. I began to organize my videos and websites on delicious. My overhead was discarded, and I used PowerPoint presentations and Smart Board applications as platforms for my lessons.
However, even with my limited experience, I still feel anxious when it comes to technology. How does one keep up? I can never obtain absolute mastery on an ‘entity’ that is continuously mutating and evolving. Again, I had to change my perspective, and embrace the idea that I would never master technology, rather I would try to keep up with its pace, never allowing technology to master me.
There are a number of areas where I certainly need to improve. I do feel that I should focus on promoting and modeling digital citizenship and responsibility (NETS, 2008). I am particularly interested in educating students on the harmful effects of cyber bullying and the dangers that can be associated with global communication.
I am very aware of the fact that in the coming years I will encounter new learning technologies. How do I learn to critically evaluate these technologies so that its application will benefit my students and my teaching practices?
ETEC 565 Goals:
By the very nature of the Masters of Education and Technology program, I do believe that I am engaging in professional growth and leadership (is that cheating to incorporate the course as a check for the NETS 2008 platform?)… Ha ha ha!
Through my school district I created taped online tutorials for grade 9 mathematics. Students are given a password and username to access my tapings. The web instruction is useful for those students whom are absent from class. I am hopeful that this course will offer ideas on how to use technologies that incorporate the philosophy of constructivism. Currently, my online tapings model a ‘stand and deliver’ approach to teaching.
Considering I had to ‘google’ the meaning of ‘learning management systems’, it is obvious that I still have a lot to learn. As a novice in looking forward to becoming more technologically savvy- for now.
Reference:
National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers.
Retrieved May 4, 2009 from:
http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=NETS