After viewing the video on virtual schools I realize its definite benefits -- the flexibility, pacing, efficient communication between parent and teacher. I can definitely attest to the sense of ownership and deeper level of understanding I've attained through my e-learning experience with the JHU program.
However, I also noticed the parent involvement and how it enhanced the effects of virtual schooling. In the virtual schools video, parents played an active part of their children's education as they took them to field trips, looked over problems together, called the teacher together, and the parents knew what their kids were learning about. On the other hand, I question whether virtual schooling can be done in the absence of parents. In our school, as well as many others, there is a pattern of low parent involvement. Back-to-school nights and conferences are only attended by the parents of the students who are excelling or show signs of interest in their performance in school. Without the unstructured environment at home, I wonder if any level of virtual classrooms are possible.
Knowing how much MCPS loves quantifiable progress and structure, until someone can figure out a way to merge standardized assessments with virtual schooling, it may be a while before virtual schools make progress in this school system.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Top 10 Requirements for the 21st Century Teacher
Many of my 10 requirements for the 21st century teacher overlaps with simply putting into effect good teaching practices -- engaging lessons, positive relationships, frequent monitoring of progress, skill building, assessing the objective. To dispel preconceived notions of teachers who are apprehensive about so much "change" in the classroom with new hardware and such, I think it's important for all teachers to know that technology does not replace instruction.
I am probably preaching to the choir, so without further ado, here is my list. Teachers should...
1.) be familiar with using Microsoft applications (i.e. Word, PowerPoint, Excel). This is the least we expect of our students, so we should expect the same for ourselves.
2.) be able to model and provide guided and individual practice as they introduce new tools or assignments
3.) create engaging lessons that require students to apply their knowledge and understanding at different levels (analyze, synthesize, evaluate, etc.). Technology should be more than just another platform for reiterating what they've learned. Technology in it of itself is innovation, and we should create tasks that require our students to be innovative, collaborative, inquisitive, and think critically in order to solve problems.
4.) create a blog or maintain a space where students and parents can go to find more information. Montgomery County Public Schools may not have approved the use of blogs in the classroom yet, but they still provide us with Edline, or an online platform that allows teachers to upload or post daily assignments, links, news, and calendar events. It's no use creating a blog at the beginning of the year and it being stagnant all year, so getting into the habit of actively maintaining an online space is a good place to start.
5.) cite sources when you borrow an image or get information from a certain resource. I haven't memorized the formula to citing a web source, but to include a blurb or mention it in class will demonstrate your expectations for the kids when they complete a technology assignment. Hopefully, this will become a part of their routine for future assignments.
6.) be risk-takers. Plan opportunities for student-to-student discourse in your lessons, allowing instruction to be less centralized on the teacher and more on the student. Isn't that what 21st century instruction all about?
7.) embrace technology in your personal life. Try using social bookmarking, RSS feeds, email, social networking tools, online search engines, etc. more regularly so that you can attest to the efficacy of technology and be confident for when you teach it to the kids, their parents, and other teachers.
8.) collaborate with other teachers. See what other teachers are doing to incorporate technology and share with them how you are using it. Technology seems a lot less intimidating (and even inspiring) if we see other people using it.
9.) be familiar with the technology and hardware that is already in their classroom. Computers, scanners, Promethean boards, laptops, Activslates/Activotes, DVD players, digital camcorders, and digital cameras have already been purchased. Let's harness the power of these technologies and use it to capture the attention and cerebral space of our students!
10.) be informed and aware. Whether it be emerging technology or world events, the 21st century teacher is skillful and knowledgeable.
I am probably preaching to the choir, so without further ado, here is my list. Teachers should...
1.) be familiar with using Microsoft applications (i.e. Word, PowerPoint, Excel). This is the least we expect of our students, so we should expect the same for ourselves.
2.) be able to model and provide guided and individual practice as they introduce new tools or assignments
3.) create engaging lessons that require students to apply their knowledge and understanding at different levels (analyze, synthesize, evaluate, etc.). Technology should be more than just another platform for reiterating what they've learned. Technology in it of itself is innovation, and we should create tasks that require our students to be innovative, collaborative, inquisitive, and think critically in order to solve problems.
4.) create a blog or maintain a space where students and parents can go to find more information. Montgomery County Public Schools may not have approved the use of blogs in the classroom yet, but they still provide us with Edline, or an online platform that allows teachers to upload or post daily assignments, links, news, and calendar events. It's no use creating a blog at the beginning of the year and it being stagnant all year, so getting into the habit of actively maintaining an online space is a good place to start.
5.) cite sources when you borrow an image or get information from a certain resource. I haven't memorized the formula to citing a web source, but to include a blurb or mention it in class will demonstrate your expectations for the kids when they complete a technology assignment. Hopefully, this will become a part of their routine for future assignments.
6.) be risk-takers. Plan opportunities for student-to-student discourse in your lessons, allowing instruction to be less centralized on the teacher and more on the student. Isn't that what 21st century instruction all about?
7.) embrace technology in your personal life. Try using social bookmarking, RSS feeds, email, social networking tools, online search engines, etc. more regularly so that you can attest to the efficacy of technology and be confident for when you teach it to the kids, their parents, and other teachers.
8.) collaborate with other teachers. See what other teachers are doing to incorporate technology and share with them how you are using it. Technology seems a lot less intimidating (and even inspiring) if we see other people using it.
9.) be familiar with the technology and hardware that is already in their classroom. Computers, scanners, Promethean boards, laptops, Activslates/Activotes, DVD players, digital camcorders, and digital cameras have already been purchased. Let's harness the power of these technologies and use it to capture the attention and cerebral space of our students!
10.) be informed and aware. Whether it be emerging technology or world events, the 21st century teacher is skillful and knowledgeable.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Delicious Marketing
I watched on Fox 5 news earlier this week and saw that Curbside Cupcakes was featured. What caught my attention was, aside from the bright pink truck, when the anchor person used the words "social media." I knew I heard that lingo somewhere before...from class! I don't know if things like these stir up enthusiasm from any of my other classmates, but to see the things we learn about happen in the real world is a beautiful collision.
Anyway, the idea of Curbside Cupcakes is that they depend on people to advertise their product. They don't put up signs, create commercials, or do any other form of traditional marketing. They use social media outlets, such as Twitter and Facebook, to track and announce their next stop. On Facebook, loyal customers or anxious newbies start spreading the word that they're coming into the area. They might even respond to Curbside's status with a comment such as, "Curbside Cupcakes is making it harder for me to keep my diet," or "them things are so good...we're hooked," which would appear on their friends' feed. If they're nipped by the curiosity bug, they would find Curbside's info, and the rest is history.
Where the pink truck goes, no body knows...unless you're on Facebook or Twitter. If businesses are tapping into the social media scene, isn't it about time that our educational institutions do the same?
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Technology in the Classroom
The Promethean board has definitely made its mark in my classroom. I have created a flipchart presentation that accompanies each 85-minute lesson. In fact, the Promethean board is so much of an instructional tool that I cannot image teaching an 85-minute class without it. From the moment the students walk in the door, homework and warm-up is displayed. Even my classroom management is connect with the board where I use the timer to pace various activities. In addition, the presentation of information has upgraded drastically to include video and audio clips through embedded resources or online resource accessed by link in the flipchart, colorful pictures, and text formatting. For guided instruction, students will be able to see an exact, enlarged image of their sheets as the teacher models or conducts guided practice. To assess their knowledge, students would be given Activotes where an immmediate feedback will be given.
I have also used Edline as an attempt to create a "class website" (long before I knew that class blogs existed). Please view this Edline video for more details (see Jing in action)!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
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