Am I technical savvy? I think so. I grew up in the 21st
century where facebook, google, and many other sites are frequented quite a few
times throughout the day. Now, am I technical know-it-all? Not exactly; there
are many realms of the internet that I haven’t ventured into and to tell you
the truth, blogging is a first. Before my EDUC 5P42 class I would have never
thought about blogging. Why would I? The important things I have to say can be
said to the people around me. Well, that’s just not the case and I should have
known that being a 21st century citizen. Living in the 21st
century means that we are a part of a globalized world, each action affecting
not only you but other all people around you, locally and globally.
So, at my first EDUC 5P42 class when I heard that we had to
blog I really did ask myself, to blog or not to blog; that was seriously the
question. I thought it about it for a bit and besides it being a class requirement,
I thought about the things I mentioned above regarding a globalized world and
realized that hey, my voice does matter and it should be heard. I feel that
this blog is a stepping stone as a young educator to not only express my
feelings regarding educational issues but also follow other bloggers to retain
their wealth of knowledge. After all, I am a teacher and I was told during my practicum
that teachers are supposed to ‘steal’ ideas and classroom practices from others
in order to better their own teaching style.
I know this first blog is more or less a rant but I am still
trying to figure this whole thing out. We talked about so many new things during
my first class that I wasn’t aware of. For example, I highly recommend looking
up ‘Are you a 21st Century teacher?’ written by, simplek12.com. I
truly thought that I was a 21st century teacher; however, going
through the list I had to rethink a few things and realize that I have much
more to learn.
I propose this to you then, are you a 21st
century teacher? If yes, tell me how. What do you do that makes you a 21st
century teacher? If no, then tell me why not. What about technology and
education don’t you like? If no, but you want to be then provide some ideas of
how you want to be a 21st century teacher and I might be able to
help you out a bit as well!
So if you’re ever stuck and thinking, to blog or not to
blog? Say yes to that question!
Until next blog,
James Stewart
James,
ReplyDeleteThe fact that you are acknowledging yourself to blog is a start to becoming a 21st century learner! I myself have only utilized 6 out of the 21 practices from www.simplek12.com and I felt really ashamed and disappointed. When I substituted for a high school, I consistently had to ask the students to put their cell phones away as that was the school policy. I felt that I spent 60% telling the students to stop and 40% on the actual lesson. Rather than constantly wasting our time trying to get students to refocus the old fashion way, why not incorporate their technological tools in their learning? Whoever thought of that was pretty innovative. We are all one the same boat as you and I look forward to reading how you are going to embrace the change.
Tien
James,
ReplyDeleteLike you, I had questioned my own abilities to contribute to 21st century education and found myself wondering what did I have to share with others in this respect. As I have begun to learn, it appears to be about building a professional online community via social media, blogs, etc. almost as much as it is about engaging students in this technology as well. In response to your question, I am somewhere in the middle (and maybe that is a "cop out"!) - I certainly see the value in digital platforms to advance learning and engage our audience. However, the "old" flipchart and marker method is still effective in generating ideas and encouraging class participation. I find, like many things, it's a matter of balance. As Susan mentions in her article, "Enhancing Canadian Teacher Education Using a Story Framework" (2010), I agree with her "and/both" framework that needs to be considered. Looking forward to seeing the developments in your blog and perspective as the class unfolds.
Marisa
Hi James,
ReplyDeleteI am definitely a developing 21st Century Teacher. Having taught in the college classroom for the past 3 years, I have evolved my teaching methods each year, for a number of reasons;
1. I've found a better way to engage students. Generally, this centres around collaboration and student leadership, which aids in their accountability with assignments
2. My newer methods have been born out of the necessity of change-both in the professional development opportunities that have influenced me to want to be a better "activator", and in the success I have seen as a result of being willing to try new approaches and observe student responses.
3. I have witnessed other Professors who do things in a traditional manner, and they have no control over their classroom. Students are not engaged, retention of subject matter is minimal, and on any given day, half the class is absent. Because I DO NOT want to go down that road, I am always open to new ways of capturing the students attention and minds.
Having said this, I am still coming to grips with some changes that are being encouraged in 21st century learning.
For example - cell phone texting. Can't stand them! Sure, I will find ways to utilize them as a learning tool. At the same time though, I will continue to be astounded at how distracting they can be to some learners (keep in mind they are adult learners in my environment as well).
Here are my honest thoughts, when I see this happening;
1. We're in class for only 1-2 hours. Please get over yourself...you're not that important to someone else right now. They know you have class, and they shouldn't be bothering you. Nor should you be bothering them. Be accountable for your actions.
2. You paid to be here, so what are you getting out of this experience?
3. Will you disengage like this when you are working for your employer, or with a client/customer? Do you realize how unprofessional, disinterested and disrespectful this looks to those around you? Do I really have to point this out to you, or should I let you find this out for yourself later on?
Sorry if I offended anyone with my thoughts or opinions there. Could I have kept them to myself? Sure. Would that have contributed to the conversation? No.
Thanks James. Great post.
I think the blogging decision is really one to be made outside of class. I have certainly seen people catapult into fame through their blogs. They have "branded" themselves through their blog. Since we are going to brand ourselves one way or another (perhaps inadvertently) then it probably is good to take charge and create a positive brand for oneself. Brett and Tien - I understand your frustrations. I feel the same way when I actually look at the screens that are open in class and they are NOT focused on what we are doing. But often they are and the student is way ahead of me searching for something we are talking about in class. So I remember back to the days when students just left class in their imaginations OR in their disruptions. Back to the basics - we can't teach students what they don't want to learn.... Here Marisa is right on remembering the old story too. Our job is to find ways to want them to learn. Methinks. .
ReplyDelete