Article:Preparing teachers for the 21st Century

Title: Editorial: Preparing Teachers for the 21st Century Classroom
Author: McEwen, Beryl C.
Journal Name: Delta Pi Epsilon Journal
Source: Delta Pi Epsilon Journal v. 50 no. 1 (Winter 2008) p. 1-3Publication Year: 2008

I found this article quite interesting because the author is a college professor, who teaches classes in business, expressing his frustrations with students being so inept in performing basic tasks involving technology. He admits to blaming the public school system, accusing teachers of not preparing students adequately for college. He then acknowledges that it is the professors that are educating the teachers that are not “preparing students adequately for college”.

I liked the idea that the author proposed about class web sites that had pictures of class members as well as brief bios so students can get to know each other and the instructor to create a more intimate learning relationship.
The article really got me thinking about who is really responsible for the lack of technology in classrooms. I think we all have a part to play in this dilemma. As the author points out, some responsibility lies with the college professors sending ill-equipped graduates out in the world to teach future college students. In my opinion, however, there is blame to be shared in all parties involved. Part of it, as the author of the article acknowledges, is due to professors not bothering to educate new teachers appropriately. I believe the bulk of the blame does fall on teachers though. Not everything you should use in the classroom is taught in college, especially when technology is advancing everyday! That is why it is important for teachers to participate in continuing education. There are so many ideas and skills to improve students learning. It Is the teachers responsibility to acquire knowledge on these skills so they can be taught in the classroom to better prepare students for college and the real world.

In addition to the responsibility of educators in general, I think learners should take accountability for their own learning as well. This currently applies to me. I am an adult and it is my responsibility to seek out education beyond what my present educators can provide.

101 ways to use a digital camera

This is my kind of article because it is straightforward: gets right to the point! Some of the ideas I had thought of or heard of before, but there were also a few I was excited about because I would have never thought of them myself. I am going to repeat some of the ideas and say why I like them.

The first one that I really liked was the ideas of taking pictures for passports. What a fun addition to a travel unit! I can recall in sixth grade having to do country reports. I want to be a sixth grade teacher, I think it would be so fun to pretend like you were traveling to the country that was being presented! Of course you would have to have a passport for this. It also provides for a good lead into a discussion about immigration and why we have passports.

I also really liked the idea of letting students take the camera home to take pictures of family events and traditions. That would really make for something interesting to use during a show and tell or a topic for morning meetings. It also demonstrated trust between the teacher and the students because letting the student take equipment home requires a lot of responsibility. I think it would give them a sense of importance and value as well.

I liked the idea of taking surprise photos of students being good and sending an email to the parents. Usually parents hear from the teacher when their child is acting up, what a pleasant surprise it would be to get an email from the teacher with your child demonstrating good behavior that you could actually see! It would certainly make their day and that child is sure to repeat the behavior!

The zoomed in photo makes for a good game. You could use the idea in your lessons as well. It would be a much more interesting way to introduce a new topic rather than just saying what it is. You could zoom in on the photo and zoom out further and further until the students guess accurately.

I laughed at the idea of sending the kids a postcard of the teacher over the summer. It would be kind of funny if the teacher was making a stern face with a quote like “remember to read this summer” or something like that.

I really liked all the ideas, in fact, I printed the article to put in my “teaching ideas” book so I don’t forget them!

My Beliefs

To sum it all up, I believe technology plays into the theory of "hands on" learning. It is just another tool to reach more of the learners. Especially in this age of technology. It is clear that I have to keep up with the technology trends by making myself more acquainted with the technology I currently have access to, and the technology that is in the coming horizon. I know I already mentioned the video I found on teachertube called Digital Learners, but it just sums it up so nicely. Children today use more technology then us old people, if you cant beat em...join em!

The upcoming generation is getting whatever they want, whenever they want, because it is at their fingertips! Lets make sure we supply a real, rich, and relevant education to live up to their high expectations!

Lessons Learned

Though it seems that lately I spend more time with my computer than I do with real people, I hardly know my computer at all and what it is capable of! It is clear that the generation that I will be teaching will be the age of the digital learners!


If you refer back to my post on Sept 28th that really demonstrates the future of technology regarding children. And they have their own ideas of what the future holds for them! A common expectation in the Millennial article was a pocket size computer that had multifunctional abilities beyond that of a computer. Apparently, there is also a high demand for "robot teachers" so you could learn more and "not get yelled at as often". Gee...I hope I'm not out of the job in ten years!
Something that got me thinking was the possibility of holograms. I am suddenly picturing myself in a holographic classroom similar to the hologram room of the Star Ship Enterprise! It almost seems impossible (especially since it was also found on a technology wish list that also included a time machine). If it were impossible one of these days to be able to draw on holographic images as a learning resource, what a great tool that would be!

I do want to mention the video of the high school that had an impressive array of technology integration. These kids were doing really great hands on activities like collecting water samples in the river and using technology to test their quality. I was also impressed with the idea of physics and math connections with their daily activities such as cheer-leading and music. I loved the idea that the math class was calculating the physical fitness of the cheer-leading team. It was a great example to schools everywhere how beneficial and enriching technology can be.

Strenghts and Weaknesses

It would appear that I have many "weaknesses" in the realm of computers and technology. I can install and navigate software with the best of them by following the "dummy" prompts that are enclosed in a nice little box labeled "next", but if the process is clicker-user unfriendly, I am at a loss! And I admit that I do not understand some of the basic computer technology terms. Why in the world would they relate computer terms to food anyway? You got your "cookies" and "bites" (bytes), I mean, that's just asking for trouble anyway! In addition to the computer and technology terms that I do not understand, the copyright laws scare me. Nowadays, you have to walk on egg shells to use any media material without infringing on some law. I can understand why some teachers opt not to use it at all.

The following picture was found on google images


With all the tricks that I do not know, there are a few things that I do know. And I do come from a generation that is supposed to be pretty tech savvy. I am familiar enough with most programs to be able to figure out how to use them with a little instruction or some good ole' experimentation. For example, I had no idea how to make a digital story, but after I played around on Windows Movie Maker, I was able to figure out how to incorporate voice, music, cool transitions, and ultimately put together a pretty decent story.

It is clear that I need to further my education to become more aligned with the Technology standards. To start, I found a podcast called "Technology for teachers" that I subscribed to. I also found a great website that offers web tutorials at www.arps.org/resources. I think another thing that I can ultimately do to better the technology use in my classroom....is marry a "computer geek" and force him to help me! J/K (kinda) :)

WebQuest

I feel a little frazzled about the web quest. It seems like a huge task that I hope my group can tackle. We designated tasks but it just seems like something is missing. I suppose we we learn how to out it all together tomorrow in class. It just seems strange to me that anyone, anywhere can out anything they want online. I remember when teachers used to warn us about making sure our online sources were credible. Being as naive as I once was I just couldn't understand that. Wasn't there some sort of filtering process that allows people to publish only the good stuff online? And don't you have to pay for web space? At least, thats what I used to think.

Well, as myspace, facebook, and blogger popped up I realized that cyberspace does not have a limited capacity it seems, and any Tom, Dick or Harry can post and publish anything they want and call it credible.


All I can say is, cyber-spacers beware, because cohort 10-2b is about to make its way to the web!

On an unrelated side note, the number rating system (1-5) has become some what of a favorite line of the class, a funny accusation if you will. We are constantly warning each other to stop being such a "5". Not a lot of "1"s get tossed about, I guess this seems appropriate as Axel Ramirez refers to us as "over-achieving freaks".

Tecnology Reflection

Reflection:

1. It seemed odd to me that the computer specialist was also the reading specialist. Due to this factor, the computer lab was not available for half of the day. It would be ideal for there to be a full time computer specialist on staff in addition to a full time reading specialist.

2. I also learned a lot about the resources that are available to specific classrooms such as smart boards and sound systems with microphones. I anticipate then when I am looking for a job I will see what specific technology is available in the classroom I will teach in because apparently, it can differ from classroom to classroom, even in the same school.
3. It also became apparent that just because there is a computer lab, does not mean it will be staffed full time and my class may only have limited time with the technology expert so I should be educated enough to be able to teach skills myself. The smart board thing looks kind of tricky and complicated, I will need to learn how to use it. I had never even heard of it prior to this experience!

Journal: Field Work final lesson

On Thursday Lori and I wrapped up our unit on Native American Legends. After two weeks of having the students write their own "Legends" we were so excited to have them share their storied with each other! We came up with the idea of having a "campfire" since that is traditionally how legends are shared. We pretended to camp out in the classroom with fall leaves spread strewn across the carpet with an ingenious simulated campfire that Lori had concocted out of red paper, firewood, and flashlights. The students enjoyed some trail mix while listening to each other read their tales. After all was shared we had a grand finale of performing a rain dance. It went great! My one regret was having to keep reminding the students to speak up, and even then some of their mumblings were hard to decipher. I was soon wishing I had brought some sort of portable karaoke system so all the students could be heard.

Later when I was reflecting on how the lesson went with Lori and Mrs. Sloan, I told them that I wished I had brought a microphone system. Mrs. Sloan told us that some of the newer classrooms in the school and other schools had a built in sound system with a microphone!

What!? What brilliant person thought of this!? And why is it fair that only newer classrooms could enjoy the benefits of this new luxury? It didn't seem fair to me that in order for Mrs. Sloan to have a microphone system she would have to use her small amount of money she receives at the beginning of the year for various supplies to pay for it. I think that if a district decides to implement a new technology in a school than all the classrooms should get equal fair share, not just newer classrooms....or schools for that matter. It seems there are so many new schools popping up around the valley with bigger and better toys, but what is being done to improve the current state of the older schools? Not much it seems, and any attention these older schools are getting is not equal. Having only a few classrooms with a new sound system demonstrated that.

Field Work: Week 2

We did our technology specialist interview this week. I thought it was interesting that the "technology specialist" was also the "reading specialist". She did half and half. She appeared to be super busy so a few of us combined so she would not have to answer the same questions over and over, she seemed very appreciative of that. We were a little confused about which questions we were supposed to ask her and the ones we were supposed to ask our teacher we were working with. So unfortunately we looked a little silly and unprepared when we repeated questions. All in all I was fairly impressed with the resources the school had, considering the rumors I had before hand of its low economical status.

We also had our technology rich lesson where we used the overhead, the video player as well as the cd player.

Field Work: Week 1

We started in Field last Monday and it was a really great week!The teacher and class we were assigned to are both awesome!

On the very first day we accompanied the students to the computer lab where they got to "vote" for the President. The computers seemed pretty nice. The classroom itself does not have any computers for student use and we found out they only go the computer lab once a week for thirty minutes. But there is other "technology" items in the classroom. There is a TV with a VCR and I learned what a "Smart board" was. What a neat device for the classroom! The teacher used it to do a bubble chart where she could use different colors and highlight things. I noticed the format kind of resembled a power point presentation with each screen on the left hand side so you could easily access them. It was neat to watch!

Learning Journal #7:

I'm not sure how I feel about having a website where I can send my parents. As practical as it may seem to to have one with pictures, calendar, etc. it seems more to be more trouble than its worth. If you consider the issues that we students (aka future educators) are having, think of how much trouble a parent might have! Obviously it has several different pros and cons. Pros could be that once mastered, it could save a lot of time and effort, it cuts down on paper that would have to be sent home, and it would keep parents very informed on what is going on in the classroom. On the other hand, it could potentially be a major time consuming process, and possibly a wasted one. How many parents would actually keep tabs on it? It would be a shame if all that effort and time was in vain. Also, how much of a priority would it be to keep updated if you had more pressing matters? I have trouble enough posting a blog once a week....(I never post on my personal unless nagged by friends.)

In conclusion: I'm not yet sold on classroom websites. But as technology increases by the minute....we shall see how my opinion (and skills for that matter) change by the time I am actually in the classroom.

Learning Journal #6: Celebration!

After some frustrations (refer to earlier post) we decided to localize the project on one single computer to solve the problem of the looming and dooming red X’s. Low and behold it was not the going from computer to computer that was the culprit of the X…..it was something else.

It was either the program we initially chose to do it in (Window’s movie maker) or the way we recorded our narrations because they seemed to be constantly causing trouble. Or it may have been the computer Gods that knew extra practice was needed….so after re-doing the lineup several times the project was finally complete. I have yet to post it or burn it to a disk…so here’s hoping it really it done. In the meantime I am not turning off my computer until the project is safely turned in! No more red X’s haunting my dreams! We’re done!!!!

Learning Journal #5: Frustration!

I can't help but be frustrated right now because saving your "digital" work on a flash drive is seemingly impossible to do when you are working on several different computers. The work we had done on my computer at home showed up on the school computer with big red X's on it. Once we had decided we wanted to work in "Window's Movie Maker" we started over. The next day we went to work again and guess what showed up on the screen? Big red X's! I decided then and there we would stay on one computer for the remainder of the project. So once again I started over on my home computer. And naturally I'm having trouble with having sound and narrative together! It seemed to work at school when a classmate was showing me, but here on my own.....it refuses. Overall, A am frustrated!

Learning Journal #4

This week our digital storybooks starting coming together. My partner and I experimented with different types of media we could use for our project. We finally settled on Windows Movie Maker. The layout appeared to be the most "user-friendly." While finalizing our script for recording, a lot of new and fun ideas surfaced to make our video a little more entertaining. We were set to record! After a few....mistakes we finally got our recordings finished! It took a lot longer than we had anticipated, but we had fun with it. It was neat to see the sound waves on the screen, however, it became apparent that I am a louder person than my partner :( Oh-well. We were a little concerned about how we would add music on top of our voices, we are eager to learn how to piece the whole thing together!

Digital Learners: The power of media

I spent some time exploring the various websites that were given to us in class as tools for our digital stories. The greatest discovery in this exploration was Teachertube. I had no idea there was a youtube for teachers! I did some searching and found some really great videos. What a great resource to have in the classroom! There were various demonstrations, songs to learn curriculum, not to mention an endless supply of useful digital stories to use in my classroom. There are also very informative and enlightening videos on there. Forget facebook and blogs.....I think I have just found my new internet addiction! But I daresay teachertube would be a more productive habit than spending hours looking at other people's photos or chatting on facebook. One video in particular seem to be a testimony of media teachers everywhere. I felt it only appropriate to post it rather than summarize it. Its long, but interesting.




As for class, I'm looking forward to learning how to use Microsoft Photo story....because I have already forgotten how to use power point! Just kidding.....kind of :)

Journal #2: Digital Storybook

This week we talked about Digital Storybooks. I think this will be a very useful skill to explore and practice. It is clear that computers are being integrated more and more in classrooms and curriculum. I like the idea of digital storybooks because they can be personalized. You are the narrator and creator; therefore you are the deciding factor of what it is you want your students to learn. On the other hand, no need to re-create the wheel if you can find credible digital storybooks online. UEN, PBS, as well as other reliable sources have digital storybook links with lesson plans that align with the objectives and standards.

Not only will this be a valuable skill for me as an educator to have, but my students as well. This makes for a fun new assignment for students. It is a great way to assess, rather than test or even present. For example, when I was in sixth grade we had to do presentations on the country that we were assigned. I think this would be a neat addition to that project. I only hope I will be experienced enough at that point to teach how to do it!

Journal #1: Why I want to be a teacher, incorporating media in the classroom

I have wanted to be a sixth grade teacher since....well I was in sixth grade myself. In addition to being the role model guiding me to new dream career, my teacher was extremely influential on the course my life took after elementary school. The projects we did in class were my first initial exposure to the performing arts, the interest I pursued thereafter. Now that I am in education in college, I am learning exactly how powerful and valuable the use of the arts in the classroom is on a child's education. I am avid in my endeavor to ensure the arts are the basis of my curriculum.
I fully support Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. I believe a teacher should draw on as many possible delivery and practice techniques as possible in the classroom to reach each and every child in their unique ability to learn. There are areas in which I feel comfortable in using, such as drama, creative movement, visual art, language arts, as well as hands on projects, however, I feel I am lacking in my computer skills. Luckily, we are required to take an education computer class before we enter the professional program. The class was useful but at the same time very overwhelming. I felt like we only had time to touch the tip of the iceberg of the use of technology in the classroom. I was excited to learn how to use power point, excel, and other programs, while learning about all the valuable resources there are for teachers on the web! I am eager (and nervous) to continue on these processes... I need much more practice and reinforcement on exactly how to use them. Media has so much value and potential, especially in classrooms today where young children's lives are ruled by the ever advancing technology. It makes sense that teachers try to be as up to date on the use of a computer as our children somehow manage to be!