Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society - A Reflection

Reflecting on this course, I realize what it is to be a student of technology aimed at learning 21st century skills. When given the task of creating a group wiki, it required clear collaboration among all stakeholders. As a classmate took the lead and created the wiki, we all worked within our learning styles as we added, edited and discussed the different aspects of our wiki. My group was easy to work with; open and honest in our suggestions and comments and available to collaborate. As I struggled with some aspects of the wiki, I wondered if my classmates were having the same issues, as it seemed for some, to be very easy and intuitive. In pondering my classmates’ learning styles, I thought about the diverse learning styles of my students and how they would be feeling with this project. I could envision a number of my students excelling with this type of assignment. On the other end of the spectrum, I could see some others needing a lot of guidance as they would struggle without the visual instructions which generally support my verbal lessons. The lessons throughout this course not only gave me new skills, but it allowed me to walk in the shoes of my students, who are sprinkled throughout the learning spectrum.

With the new skills of wikis and blogs, I am excited at the prospect of incorporating them in to my lessons. At the same time I feel a little hard pressed to find the time to get it all done, seeing my students only 45 minutes once a week. I remind myself to start small, not only for me, but for the optimal learning of my students. Thinking back to how I felt with the wiki, I know that slow and steady will reach more students and solidify the learning more deeply. For those students who fly a little higher and faster, they can follow their learning with mentoring others who may need some remediation. Reminding my students we are all members of a learning community and we are here to assist each other so all can be successful.

I will continue to blend the teacher-centered and learner-centered environment while I teach and look for opportunities to embrace the learner-centered classroom. For me to completely convert to a learner-centered environment, I would need to observe this structure in a number of settings to really understand the benefits.

I look forward to learning, teaching and leading with technology as I collaborate with my colleagues. To increase student achievement we need to all be on the same page and shoot for the same goals, keeping in mind the variety of skill sets of my colleagues. Working with my colleagues to improve their skills, while at the same time teaching my students new skills, the goal will be to increase achievement across the board.

My first goal would be to have my students issued district email accounts. While many of my students have personal email accounts, because of the filter settings, they are unable to access their accounts at school. If we want our students to become proficient in 21st century skills, we must place those tools in their hands, so they learn the proper use of them. I often discuss netiquette, spam, and email filters, but feels as though it is very abstract when I cannot demonstrate what I am teaching.

Following the first goal would lead into the second goal, that of building in more opportunities for wikis, blogs and podcasts. The students having email accounts would open up the availability for wikis and blogs, giving them real world exposure to 21st century skills. To achieve these goals, I need to demonstrate what skills the students already have and explain what is needed to take them to the next level. The wikis I use now are built into our hosted website, which is very limited as are the blogs. I find there is a great disconnect between preparing for the 21st century when we can not put 21st century tools in the hands of our students.

Revisiting my checklist, I do not feel my answers have changed for this school year. As I look forward to summer and next year I hope to be able to have more checkmarks in the Often column and non in the Rarely column.

Technology Podcast

After surveying sixty sixth graders, a few offered to be interviewed for this podcast. Answering my questions they gave me a glimpse as to their technology usage. The podcast can be accessed below.