TEACHER RESOURCES
SERVICES
Here are some of my favorite sites for teaching and learning:
Here's some other sites I often visit:
My philosophy of education technology can be summarized by the following two statements:
Teachers must realize that they are faced with a different generation of student learners. They have been raised in a world surrounded by technology, being able to handle several tasks simultaneously. It's not unusual to see a child listening to their MP3 player, conducting an online chat with friends, playing a video game, and surfing the Internet ALL at the same time! This is the world of the 21st century. There have been studies of this new generation of learners, known as "New Millenials," showing that technology is an integral part of children's lives. As educators, we need to be conscious of these factors in order to meet the needs of students. For more information on today's 21st Century learners, visit Apple's Digital Tools for Digital Kids or Cherry Creek School's web page on 21st Century Learning.
I continue to be amazed at how technology motivates students. Many schools are now using laptop carts that can be wheeled into a classroom as a 'mobile computer lab' where students can connect wirelessly to the Internet. This shift to wireless is the wave of the future. Teachers are able to use technology 'anytime-anywhere,' and students are seeing the benefits of being able to have technology available right on their desks. In turn, teachers have noticed that when students are using technology in their classrooms, behavior and off-task issues become obsolete. However, just because a classroom has computers readily available to students does not mean that they are being used properly. For example, many classrooms have 4 or more computers, but they sit idle, collecting dust. In other cases, computers are used as "game stations" for students who finish their work early. As teachers, we are doing a disservice to students when we do not allow easy access to technology. More and more students complain that they are 'bored' in school, and this is mainly because they do not have access to the technology they are using outside the school setting. Giving students a worksheet is not going to spark interest when they can go home and IM (instant message) friends, play interactive games online, and surf the Internet for research. Teachers need to recognize this shift in today's millennial students.
This change in teaching practice can best be summarized by the saying, "A teacher's role is shifting from the 'sage on the stage' to the 'guide on the side'." Our role as educators is to encourage students to question the world around them, and show students where to find the answers to their questions. Instead of being the 'sage on the stage' with all the answers, it's important for teachers to continue to learn along with their students. By asking the right questions, and modeling that learning is an ongoing process, we are showing students that learning doesn't stop after the school bell rings. Instead, it's a skill that continues to grow during the course of a lifetime. Sharing our enthusiasm for learning is at the heart of good teaching!
For more information on questioning as it relates to technology and standards, see Jamie McKenzie's site, "The Question Mark, " an excellent resource!
This statement strikes at the heart of education technology. Too often, teachers say, "I don't have the time to learn about technology when I already have so much on my plate." Instead of viewing technology as one more thing to learn, teachers should view it as a vehicle to student proficiency. It makes no difference what subject is being taught, technology is simply another way for students to learn desired objectives. For example, if a teacher is conducting a language arts lesson, the objective should not be, "Teach students how to use Inspiration or PowerPoint" but instead the technology becomes the tool and the lesson objective remains, "Identify the parts of a story" using Inspiration or PowerPoint to display this knowledge. For this to occur, it is necessary for teachers to become familiar with the software and hardware available in their school. School districts need to recognize the importance of technology in schools, and administrators also need to support the use of technology.
How can this be done? It begins with school districts providing professional development opportunities for teachers to learn more about technology integration. At the school level, principals can make technology usage a building focus in order to keep current with research and trends. The George Lucas Foundation has created a web site called Edutopia filled with great articles, movies, and resources for effective technology integration. The section "Ongoing Professional Development" is a good starting point for teachers and administrators to learn more about creating quality professional development in schools. Edutopia also includes documentaries featuring online movies on a variety of topics. Another good starting point comes from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) called "Making the case for education technology to teachers" that includes discussion questions and resources that support technology.
Another common source of resistance is the teacher's fear that their students know more about using technology than themselves. Rather than seeing this as a negative, EMBRACE the fact that you can learn from your students! It is a very powerful experience when students become the teachers. They become aware that learning never stops. When students can help a teacher learn something new, especially when it comes to technology, it creates a bond between teacher and student, becoming something very memorable for everyone. As a final thought, consider the following statement:
"Computers will never replace teachers, but teachers who use computers as an effective tool to improve student achievement will replace those who don't."