Over the past month and a half (wow, has it been that long since I blogged??!!) I have had a number of experiences that have (again) brought to the forefront of my mind the NEED we have to be able to examine multiple perspectives before responding (and not reacting) to situations, events or actions.
While it would be wonderful if others in this world did the same, I will focus on myself continuing to do this, at work, at home and in all of my relationships. It seems that if I pause, even for just a moment, to do this, understanding comes and my response is thoughful.
I am currently reading Change or Die by Alan Deutschman. While I agree with the principles in the book, I think we have to be careful to make a blanket statement and expect everyone to "change or die" in the same way or at the same rate.
For examples, teachers who have never created a WebQuest before are not quite ready to create their own blog or even post so someone else's blog as they are not confident yet of their ideas (maybe haven't even really formed them yet) and feel naked posting out there to the world. As an advanced user of technology, I think it is important that we all keep this in mind. Especially if we are working with teachers who are NOT advanced users. We must remember the point that they are at and strive to move them to the next step. Sometimes pushing them too far ahead will lead to refusal. Afterall, shouldn't we differentiating our strategies for technology integration and scaffolding for teachers just as we expect them to do for their students?
I will try to get on track again with my blogging with the goal of one idea at a time and continuing to change the discussion ~ it's not about the technology...it's about the processes and pedagogy that we use for 21st Century learning.
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This is it....the topic for the paper! I was thinking about this after our discussion on Saturday night and wanted to call you Sunday.....that didn't happen for obvious reasons! How do we train teachers to use these new tools? How do we incorporate it into their learning? I have one teacher from my grad classes who is currently implementing blogging into her math classroom (www.lmmath.blogspot.com). All of her students set up a blog as well. They're doing great things, in addition to the wiki she created for them (www.lmmath.wikispaces.com). So, what did I do correctly that got her motivated to try these new tools. Why aren't the other teachers using the tools? How do we incorporate these tools into our grad classes (as professors)? How do we evaluate their use? I'll keep thinking.....;) M
I think that it is the personality and willingness of the learner that will determine if the teacher will pick up and use these tools. I thought it was so neat that I could have my students do this, and really jumped into the technology right away. I see the future as being hugely engrossed in technology, and it is in the best interest of my students for me to prepare them to be ready to use these tools. I have to say, there are days when I am skeptical. THe first many days setting up blogs, and teaching them the wiki, it took alot of time out of mathematics topics. I think that it will be worth it in the end - but I of course have had some rough spots along the way!
I credit it to the way it was presented and how the learner receives it and thinks about it.
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