I believe strongly that teachers must continue to be students on a daily basis. It is important for us to go outside of our comfort zone in order to bring the very latest in information and technology to our classrooms. I have always taken great pride in the fact that technology is a huge part of my students' classroom experience, but this semester I am learning that there is still so much that I do not yet know. I am excited about this and anxious to introduce all that I am learning to my students. With all of this said, I think that the technology aspect of the TPACK model is the area in which I need the most improvement. I have found, however, that there are many roadblocks when attempting to integrate technology in the way that I would like it. For example, only a handful of my students have an e-mail address, which makes it impossible for me to set up a class wiki, blogster account, or googledocs account. In order to do this, I will need to get permission from each of my students' parents to create e-mail addresses for them. My concern with this is the liability that could be a factor should my students decide to use their teacher issued e-mail address to communicate inappropriately. This is a difficult situation, but I definitely find it to be a legitimate concern and a hindrance to what I want to achieve with my students.
I am considering using my GT group for my technology integration lesson. My students are learning about enigmas, and I think that it would be very interesting to have my GT students post questions and ideas in a localized area (such as googledocs or a wiki) where they can share with one another and work collaboratively on their GT projects. My GT kids are also responsible for creating either a learning center or a game based on the enigma of their choosing. It would be interesting to have them create this game or learning center as an interactive online activity. I do not yet have the tech skills to teach them to do this, but I am hopeful that this is something that I will learn either this semester or next spring. In any case, I am thinking that my GT kids could present their findings, research and progress to the class on a weekly or biweekly basis, thus allowing all students to learn from their project.
I think that your GT students will really excel when they use technology because I'm sure they already know the basics of most of it but here is an assignment that they can actually have that explores their creativity through technology. Have fun!!
ReplyDeleteYou are right technology is so easy to use and as teachers we can implement it right away if only we could cut all the red tape. It is like you mentioned in your response that even establishing email addresses requires prior approval. It the mean while you wait to get permission from parents time has passed and the lesson is lost and then we off doing something else.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it is vital for a teacher to be a life long learner. I know some educators who have used the same teaching tactics and methods for the last twenty years. I am not saying they are bad teachers but a true educator needs to adapt to the changing times. I am not too comfortable with technology but do realize that it is essential to teach the youth of today. Like you mention, I need to get out of my comfort zone and learn how to apply and integrate technology into my classes.
ReplyDeleteI know that GT students can always be an intimidating group of children to miss in our instruction and in the classroom. Technology can always help students to be challenged. GT students can thrive in this realm.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your GT's will love working with technology. I'm also sure they will easily catch on and add even more than what I've been able to do. With all students its not really about knowing how to do things ourselves but introducing them to the technologies and acutally having them show us what could be done. Don't let not knowing how to use the tech stop you from presenting it to your student, learn with them! :)
ReplyDeleteI love how you say "as teachers, we must always continue to be students." It is very true as learning is never finished in this ever-changing world. When my students complain about practicing a certain skill or learning a new concept, I always ask them, "Who here knows everything about everything?" and when they say, "You, teacher." I remind them that although I already know the skills I am trying to teach them, I do not know everything and as such, if I am still learning through adulthood, they too should strive to always be learning. Making learning more fun through the use of technology is one way to inspire them to be lifelong learners. TPACK gives us the initial steps we need to make this a reality...it's just a matter of first becoming familiar with it ourselves. I am very happy to hear that you are always open to new learning!
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