There is so much that I learned from George Couros on Tuesday that it is hard to put it into words! He presented to my ECMP 355 class about what he looks for in a teacher, but he touched on many more topics that a future teacher like myself should know! I will break it down for you. Here are some highlights that I got from his presentation.
1. Work with students to develop a love for learning.
-As a teacher, I need to motivate my students to not only be learners in the classroom, but in life. The learning should go beyond the classroom, and as a teacher it is my job to encourage that learning. I need to make sure that they are not dependant on me, and that they are willing to learn on their own. I need to inspire my students to keep the learning going.
2. Focus on “character education”.
-I need to remember that I have more than one job in the classroom. I am not solely there to teach students content. I am there to help develop kids as people.
3.There is value in participating online in a positive way.
-Whether I go online or not, I will still have a digital footprint. It is important for me to make my own voice heard online, rather than someone else’s. In the past, people have told me to remove myself from social media because it is dangerous. However, it is much more important to have myself on the internet in a positive way than not having a place online at all.
-The idea of having a positive image online is also important for students to learn. This is why having technology in the classroom is crucial. As a teacher, I can model and share with students how to effectively use the internet in a positive way.
4. Connect with kids first.
-It is crucial for teachers to have an ability to build relationships with students. When teachers have relationships with their students, then students are more willing to learn and are more responsive to what they are being taught. I need to be willing to teach the kids first, and the curriculum second. I need to relate the content to my student’s lives. When I engage with the students and draw relevance from their lives to what is being taught, then the learning goes so much deeper.
You can connect with George Couros through Twitter: @gcouros or Blog: http://georgecouros.ca/blog/
-Amanda
This week I learned about building my own Personal Learning Network and have come to realize its benefits. I realize how valuable creating networks is with others, especially when it allows me to engage with fellow educators. I am able to exchange ideas with others, reflect on various topics, learn more about incorporating tech into the classroom, locate resources, and stay connected with the online community. Connecting through various communities is important, which is why I have made an effort to follow even more educators so that my online learning can progress. Below I have listed my top five picks that I would reccommend to others to add to their Personal Learning Networks.
1. Beth Holland: Blog: http://brholland.wordpress.com
I first found out about Beth Holland when I stumbled upon an article she wrote about technology integration called “Teaching the Essential Skills of the Mobile Classroom”. She talks about the importance of technology fluency for students, and says that “by supporting the development of students’ technology fluency, we are preparing them to become digital learners who are able to construct new tools and objects, communicate ideas and solve new problems.” I was intrigued to learn more from her, which is when I found her blog. She talks about various topics involving technology in the classroom. Give her blog a follow!
2. AJ Juliani: Twitter: @ajjuliani
AJ Juliani is a great person to follow on Twitter because not only does he have innovative ideas himself, but he also tweets links to other useful and innovative articles. The reason why I started following him was because he wrote a post about the “10 Commandments of Innovative Teaching”. I think his ideas in this post are brilliant and I learned a lot from reading it. I recommend following him!
3. The Classroom Bookshelf: Blog: http://classroombookshelf.blogspot.ca
This is a collaborative blog created by literature experts who review, critique, and give ideas about new books that can be shared with students. They give educated opinions on various books from all levels, and give helpful lesson ideas. Check out their blog for useful ways to incorporate quality books into the classroom!
4.Patrick Larkin: Twitter: @patrickmlarkin
Patrick Larkin is useful to follow on Twitter because he connects his followers with links to hot topics and articles about education, technology, and other relevant themes for educators. He is “passionate about creating a more relevant education for our students”, which is something I am interested in as well. Give him a follow!
5.Michelle Cordy: Twitter: @cordym
Blog: http://hacktheclassroom.ca/
I am fortunate enough to have Michelle Cordy as my mentor this semester for my ECMP 355 class. She is a grade 3/4 teacher in Ontario who has 1-1 iPads in her classroom. After meeting with Michelle on Skype this week, I noticed her passion for technology in the classroom and I realize that I will learn so much from her! She has innovative ideas, creative ways on incorporating technology in the classroom, and she makes it evident that she wants others to become fluent with technology as well. I am excited to collaborate and learn alongside Michelle, and if you want to learn from her too, you will want to follow her!
Feel free to let me know of anyone else I can add to my PLN!
-Amanda
This week I was fortunate enough to hear a lot of new perspectives on technology from a lot of new people. On Monday I was apart of the Educational Tweet Up in Regina, which allowed me to meet up with fellow educators and talk about technology in education. It was great to have conversations with people who were experienced with technology and learn from them. I talked to educators who use blogging as a regular tool in the classroom. I was reminded of how important it is for students to use writing for a purpose, which is what blogging allows them to do. The students put effort into their writing and are purposeful with their words because they know that many people outside of the classroom will read what they write. The students are excited to write in a blog where there is purpose, which is not always how students feel towards something like a worksheet.
I was also reminded about the benefit of Twitter in the classroom through Danielle Maley. She successfully uses it in a grade 1/2 classroom even though her students are at a young age. Twitter gives her students the chance to learn skills like summarizing and reporting, as well as the importance of making connections. Students are able to connect with other classrooms and educators around the world, who teach them new perspectives and ideas. Students can broaden their learning farther than the classroom when technology is implemented. Both blogging and Twitter can bring so much meaning to the students, along with so many other tools.
I am beginning to understand how important it is to connect with other people. It widens our perspectives, gives us new ideas, and allows us to learn from other’s experiences. Technology is a tool that gives us opportunities to connect, and when it is used in the classroom, students can see the benefits of making connections too.
Danielle’s classroom Twitter handle: @mrsmaleysclass
Danielle’s classroom blog: http://mrsmaley.edublogs.org/
-Amanda
I am one to constantly use technology in my everyday life, especially when it comes to social media. However, I am very interested in learning about more tools I can use with technology within the classroom. I want to be a teacher who enables students to learn in different ways through technology. Technology can help students be creative, collaborative, and assist them in their individual learning needs.
This week I created a survey that asks what Apps can be used for assistive technology with special needs students in the inclusive classroom. I have had some experience with a few apps because I worked with a student who needed assistive technology. I loved how the apps allowed the student to have a voice despite his inability to speak. It gave him the opportunity to convey his thoughts and emotions in a way that he would not be able to otherwise. Using certain apps and devices with this boy proved to me how successful assistive technology can be and how many doors it can open.
I am thrilled to know how many opportunities technology can bring, especially in the inclusive classroom. However, I feel like I have so much to learn in this area! I want to know more about assistive technology and hear from other educators how they have successfully used it. I am hoping that through this blog, and through the ECMP 355 class I am taking, I will grow in my knowledge with technology and develop the tools I need for an inclusive classroom.
Thanks for joining me in this technology journey!
-Amanda
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