Discovery through technology: https://www.teachingchannel.org/video/discovery-through-technology
0 Comments
My journey towards 21st century teaching practices began about 6 years ago at Touro during my teaching credential program. I took a class where we learned all about google tools (docs, drive, slides, etc). Before that class, I considered myself "good" at technology, but not at a level where I could teach others. I also had no idea as to what it meant to really engage students in the lessons. Nor did I even have a clue how to teach the 4 Cs: critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. I did not go through college thinking about being a teacher, so I was very new to those ideas. However after my credential program and the last 4 years of teaching I have learned so much about what it means to have a 21st century classroom. Though my journey is far from over, I have learned a lot since the start of my teaching credential.
With my own journey, I feel prepared to lead my students into the future.... or at least the end of the year. I know that I have experience using technology in my own classroom and I feel comfortable implementing many new types of technology tools. This year alone, I am piloting the new promethean boards from the district and piloting a new science curriculum called stemscopes, which is mainly online. Both these piloting experiences require me to not only teach using technology, but engage the students in the learning process. I am excited to see where both those experiences take me and what I can learn. The quote from the blog assignment explains my attitude towards new technology tools or learning anything new: "We argue for developing a thoughtfully playful attitude towards understanding the landscape being created by these new technologies." You have to be willing to learn through the process of using the tools and it will take time and patience. Blog Topic: Now that you’ve spent another two weeks mulling over your topic and kept a journal, share your latest thinking about your action research, the list of questions and issues. Are you concerned about anything? What might the challenges be? My thoughts are all over the place. I decided to write down all of my current projects, thoughts and different "hats" I have to wear this year. I want my question to fit within the realm of those things. You can see below, in the photos, my thought process and all that I am involved in: New curriculum piloting for the district (science-NGSS), Promethean board piloting at my school site, IB design integrated into my science class and this masters program. I am concerned about finalizing my essential question and how I am going to be able to do research on the topic I choose. I know that there will be many challenges ahead but I am ready to start my research. Here are my final ideas for my essential question: For me, it takes the "old pen and paper" method to write down all my ideas and process what I am thinking. These questions have strayed a little from my original idea, but that's the idea behind all of this. Through this blog post I am going to begin creating my essential question by writing down all my thoughts on the 3 questions:
Essential Question: How can we create real world learning experiences using technology to prepare students for careers in science? General problems in my classroom: Sometimes students are not interested in all areas of science. Some topics can be boring while others are exciting and fun for students. We don't have textbooks or curriculum. How can we teach students science with a lack of resources? How do we engage students and get them ready for careers in all areas of Science? What will I "need to know": Obviously I need to know my students... their learning needs, their strengths, weaknesses, backgrounds, interests, etc. I need to know about multiple different types of careers in science. I need to know what resources are out there already that are higher level. What do I already know: I already know about many different types of careers available in science. I already have many technology resources that create real life experiences for students. Honestly I have already thought of a different direction, but I still want to incorporate these ideas. Sometimes resources are not always there for science experiments and other science activities and technology can bridge that gap. I am passionate about using technology to get more kids engaged in science and make up for lack of resources. For the past few years in our district we did not have curriculum. We have been "using" the old science textbooks which are not aligned with our new standards. Not only is technology important but it is essential for students to be able to access the content we are teaching. Without textbooks, technology has been the key! |
Krista LoperHarvest Middle School Archives
May 2020
Categories |