The world of how teachers teach is constantly evolving. Ready or not teachers are slowly being guided into the use of technology even if they aren’t ready. Websites for adopted curriculum have been created to assist teachers and students, but soon teacher manuals will only be available online. As I pilot a new science program that does not offer a paper teacher’s manual, this seems to be the hardest thing to get used to. Everything that’s new seems to be difficult, but with time everything always gets easier.
I know that I am starting to feel more comfortable with using technology on a daily basis. Just today I assigned a video and a link to a website in Google Classroom where students were able access direct sources to gather more information about snow leopards. My students were excited about learning and enjoyed helping others that were struggling. Seeing the excitement today was a clear reminder that technology is a great tool to increase student engagement. As I learn to navigate through this world full of technology I feel so overwhelmed. I know that technology is important, but why does it have to be this hard? Competency based learning seems to be the direction that our country is headed. Adaptive based programs are popping up all over and online/home school programs are becoming even more popular. These are both great way for students to work at their own level while allowing the teacher to work with a small group or one on one. Together technology and individual target goals are dramatically changing the role of the teacher and what a classroom looks like. The traditional direct instruction way of teaching is evolving. Instead, this style of teaching is used in small groups. I can slowly start to see this change take place in my own classroom.
5 Comments
Teresa Barron
1/23/2018 01:07:52 am
I can see how the process can be overwhelming and a bit scary, but I am excited for the new changes within the classrooms. I am interested to see how technology will eventually play a part in our intervention groups at Markham!
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Scott Marsden
1/23/2018 05:57:18 pm
Stephanie,
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Stephanie Jones
1/23/2018 09:48:35 pm
VUSD is really good about offering workshops for those teachers who are interested in using new technology like Google Drive and Classroom but it is not required to attend the workshops or implement technology in your classroom.
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Shawn O'Neal
1/23/2018 07:34:53 pm
I totally understand how overwhelming it can be. Our district just got new ELA Curriculum this year and math last year. So, there has been a great deal of learning happening on both the teachers and students. At the end of last year I was starting to feel more comfortable with the math program, but our new ELA program is getting away from me. I do feel that with these new curriculum a lot of student choice is taken our of student learning as well as teachers. Having the ability to add some choice in student learning is very exciting and I look forward to see what tools I can bring to the classroom.
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mayra De la Torre
1/23/2018 09:45:16 pm
I agree, education is now using a lot of technology. It is scary to use new technology for me as well. I get very nervous that I will not know how to explain a new program to my students and that makes me think twice before I use technology. However I don't want my students to miss out on using technology so I am slowly adding more tech time to my teaching, mostly through I-station and Front Row.
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