This blog post is the final assignment for my EDUC 4P27 course, called an RPAT: Rich Performance Assessment Task. The idea for this assignment is to demonstrate what I have learned about 21st century learning, what connections I have made to other teachers' blogs, and how I intend to provide a rich learning environment for my students. The following post will discuss the lessons I have learned from three teaching blogs and what resources I have found that connect to them.
I would like to start with the first teacher I began to follow at the beginning of this term, The Nerdy Teacher. The Nerdy Teacher caught my attention by his use of technology in the classroom. I was surprised with the different gadgets and apps he was able to incorporate and use in his classroom on a daily basis. For example, in his March 25th post about "Silent Discussion with Google", The Nerdy Teacher created an environment that allowed his students to communicate by learning from each other and with each other. Students were given the opportunity to do what they do best by communicating through social sites, but in a way that developed their learning of the required course content. As I looked through Pinterest I was able to find a link which demonstrated the many apps that Google provides, and can be incorporated in the classroom. The picture on the right demonstrates the various ways Google can be implemented into the lesson plan. This allows students to improve their technological literacy by expanding their use of apps in ways that benefit their learning. The link to the Google apps info: www.gcflearnfree.org/googleaccount/1.2 A post from March 18th entitled 'Poetry and Phineas and Ferb' caught my eye. How could someone be using a children's television show in their classroom to teach poetry? The Nerdy Teacher used the theme song from Phineas and Ferb to display the multiple uses of literary devices and asked his students to seek them out. This confused the students who debated whether songs were poetry but then concluded that they were then went on to research other songs in search of literary devices. The Nerdy Teacher was so pleased with the outcome of his lesson that he posted the photo seen on the right and received many comments. The Nerdy Teacher was then asked to attend a conference and demonstrate his use of Phineas and Ferb's theme song in his classroom. This lesson demonstrates the use of critical literacy in the classroom by having students demonstrate their use of "analytical reading" of writing, images, and media as a way of understanding societies and cultures (Molden, 2007). The Nerdy Teacher reminds me of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. While developing ways of using technology in the most efficient way possible, the importance remains in the innovation and creativity of its users. Below is a TED talk by Bill Gates who discusses that "video offers a reality". The use of video and other media provides teachers, students, and communities with an intrinsic way to understand the material being presented. The Nerdy Teacher has demonstrated in his classroom the essence of what Bill Gates is stating in his talk. While technology can advance our classroom, we must not lose our focus on advancing our children's education and critical thinking. Click here for the link to The Nerdy Teacher's blog. |
Another teacher's blog which I have been following this term is The Innovative Educator. This blog really captured my attention with its use of social media. Often social media is seen as a waste of time and energy that distracts children from real learning and thinking. However, The Innovative Educator worked on implementing social media in the classroom in an effective way. In the post from March 18th, The Innovative Educator discussed the various benefits of using social media. For example, colleges and workplaces now consider students' digital footprint in their acceptance process. If our students are using these tools, wouldn't it be beneficial for us to teach them how to use them effectively and safely? The Innovative Educator continues to discuss the importance of social credibility, learning networks, and connections. Our society has become a place where networking is a viable asset. Through the use of social media in the classroom, the center of learning is redirected at the student and not the teacher. This allows the students to develop not only technological literacy, but media literacy through use of media tools as well as moral literacy through its use of communication and socialization. The picture on the right shows many social media tools that are constantly used online by students. The picture displays various techniques teachers can use to implement these sites in the classroom to effectively educate their students. The link to the social media infograph: http://www.edudemic.com/a-teachers-guide-to-social-media/ A main focus for The Innovative Educator's blog is to provide students with the opportunity to create original ideas. Throughout her blog, The Innovative Educator focuses on multiple practices to help create an environment that produces innovators. I was really intrigued with this notion considering that we often teach students to adapt to society instead of trying to change it. While browsing online, I found a book written by Tony Wagner, entitled "Creating Innovators, The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World." This book explains the importance of children needing unstructured time to play and discover. Children need the time to explore their own interest and develop their own curiosity so that they can achieve in areas about which they are passionate. One quote from the book that resonates with me is: "A child has to get bored before he can figure out how to get himself out of boredom." This phrase speaks about the significance of children's enthusiasm for a special interest that can drive them forward and become a hobby or even an occupation. A classroom is an environment that gives children the opportunity to explore and discover their own interest and what they want to pursue. Teachers need to ensure that students are given the freedom to imagine, create, invent, make mistakes, and recover from them. The link to the "Creating Innovators" book on Chapters: http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/creating-innovators-the-making-of/9781451611519-item.html?ikwid=creating+innovators&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0 Innovation has become a key concept in education. One that Geoffrey Canada speaks notably about in his TED talk. Geoffrey Canada and The Innovative Educator convey the significance of technology in the classroom and the importance of using data from tests to change teachers' practices in ways that would better accommodate their students. Geoffrey Canada states that testing gives teachers necessary information about which areas their students are struggling in and which teachers need to focus on. However, by the time teachers acquire this data of their students it is already the next school year. The Innovative Educator discussed the educational needs that are not being met due to a lack of technology integration and test scores that are not being analyzed. The Innovative Educator and Geoffrey Canada express that technology and test data provide ways in which we can revolutionize our teaching methods, to present students with opportunities to be innovative leaders. Click here for the link to The Innovative Educator's Blog. |
While technological literacy is evident in each of these teachers' classroom, it acts as the facilitator for the lesson plans. Through the use of technology, these teachers accentuate other aspects of the classroom, for example text, media, and other information which becomes available. This allows other literacies such as critical, media, global, character education, etc. to be developed within the students. As a communications portal, technology can be used efficiently and effectively to benefit student's learning and development to become a 21st century learner.
Last year, I was introduced to the Ontario College of Teacher's Foundations of Professional Practice. It surprised me to learn about the requirements and expectations that would be asked of me after I complete my university degrees. The standards for teaching are attained through the following: commitment to students and student learning, leadership in learning communities, ongoing professional learning, professional knowledge, and professional practice. In the standards for the teaching profession, I found a clear understanding of the values, knowledge and skills that would be required to establish a learning environment for students. However, I also feel as if there is a part missing. While teachers are there to educate students to be learners, they also have a role in educating students on how to be a person. I found this missing piece through a message presented by Rita Pierson.
Click here for the link to the Ontario College of Teacher's Foundations of Professional Practice.
The following TED talk was presented by Rita Pierson, who demonstrated the importance of being a professional teacher as well as the significance of being a role model to children. My understanding of teachers is that they are placed in the classroom as a representative of humanity. That teachers have a job not only to educate but provide an experience which allows students to become the best version of themselves. By being a role model, teachers give students the opportunity to develop who they are and to use their own skills to contribute to society. A significant message in Rita's talk is: "Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be." Rita's message conveys the importance of establishing character education within our students. "Schools, whether they want to or not, affect the character of their students and must therefore be aware of their effect on students" (Gilead, 2011). This is why it is crucial for teachers to be an effective educator and a strong role model that students can learn from and look up to.
Last year, I was introduced to the Ontario College of Teacher's Foundations of Professional Practice. It surprised me to learn about the requirements and expectations that would be asked of me after I complete my university degrees. The standards for teaching are attained through the following: commitment to students and student learning, leadership in learning communities, ongoing professional learning, professional knowledge, and professional practice. In the standards for the teaching profession, I found a clear understanding of the values, knowledge and skills that would be required to establish a learning environment for students. However, I also feel as if there is a part missing. While teachers are there to educate students to be learners, they also have a role in educating students on how to be a person. I found this missing piece through a message presented by Rita Pierson.
Click here for the link to the Ontario College of Teacher's Foundations of Professional Practice.
The following TED talk was presented by Rita Pierson, who demonstrated the importance of being a professional teacher as well as the significance of being a role model to children. My understanding of teachers is that they are placed in the classroom as a representative of humanity. That teachers have a job not only to educate but provide an experience which allows students to become the best version of themselves. By being a role model, teachers give students the opportunity to develop who they are and to use their own skills to contribute to society. A significant message in Rita's talk is: "Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be." Rita's message conveys the importance of establishing character education within our students. "Schools, whether they want to or not, affect the character of their students and must therefore be aware of their effect on students" (Gilead, 2011). This is why it is crucial for teachers to be an effective educator and a strong role model that students can learn from and look up to.
I would like to end this blog with one of my favourite quotes:
"To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." -Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882
Emerson captures the essence of how I plan to go about my education, my career, and my life. It is important to remember that we have the power to make an impact, even if its just a ripple in someone else's life. Doing so means you have succeeded. When I complete my degrees, I don't plan on going out into the world to change the entire education system. That is not possible! But what I can do is be the best version of myself and hope that through my actions someone else will have the courage to do the same. I believe that I have a purpose to help others even if it's just a smile or some encouraging words. I can't change the world, but I do have the power to change myself and that is worth a lot.
If you are looking for ideas and inspiration, click here for the link to my 21st Century Learning board on Pinterest.
Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you found inspiration in the words I have written, even if it's just a spark.
"To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." -Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882
Emerson captures the essence of how I plan to go about my education, my career, and my life. It is important to remember that we have the power to make an impact, even if its just a ripple in someone else's life. Doing so means you have succeeded. When I complete my degrees, I don't plan on going out into the world to change the entire education system. That is not possible! But what I can do is be the best version of myself and hope that through my actions someone else will have the courage to do the same. I believe that I have a purpose to help others even if it's just a smile or some encouraging words. I can't change the world, but I do have the power to change myself and that is worth a lot.
If you are looking for ideas and inspiration, click here for the link to my 21st Century Learning board on Pinterest.
Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you found inspiration in the words I have written, even if it's just a spark.