It has been a wonderful privilege being part of this course as I reflect on my learning experiences over the past weeks. I have become a more highly effective teacher through the knowledge and insights gained about integrating technology in my classroom, and how to become a 21st century teacher. My personal attitudes and beliefs about technology integration have changed, and I am now able to positively influence my classroom practice. In addition, I have sought ways to deepen my knowledge and understanding of improving my technological abilities in order to develop 21st century skills within my classroom. The content of this course has helped me in my quest to make my school and classroom more meaningful and effective for 21st century students. The learning experiences gained have positively influenced not only my attitude, perspective and actions, but also students’ learning.
I have learnt to develop my own technology skills as a professional teacher that will be life-long. Initially, I thought I knew quite a lot about technology, since I teach Information Technology to High School students. Obviously, I was wrong. I have learnt so much, I feel as if I have become a brand new 21st century teacher. Wikis, blogs, and podcasting were not very new to me, but I have learnt so many ways of using these tools in my classroom to develop 21st century skills for my students. Wikis, classroom blogs, and podcasting are excellent tools for incorporating technology in the classroom.
Students of 21st century are technologically savvy and considered to be digital natives. Hence, I have to create classrooms that are engaging, interesting and meaningful. I have deepened my knowledge of the teaching and learning process by finding ways of enhancing my instructional strategies, and ways of assessing students, which are outside of the norm. I have learnt to be more students centered, rather than teacher centered. I teach differing students with varying capabilities and learning styles. Therefore, the knowledge gained will help me to plan my lessons to incorporate technology that all students can relate. I have already started using some of these technology tools in my classroom and will continue for the next school year. The students are enjoying the tools and have certainly made my classroom a lot more interesting and entertaining. I have learnt that students learn best in ways they find interesting. I have to shift the focus from me, to the students, and how they learn. Hence, I focus on what they need to know to become valuable members of society, and function effectively in the world of work.
I will continue to expand my knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology by engaging in professional development seminars and professional blogging. I have already met with my department to share what I have learnt, so that, as a department, we can empower the entire staff to include technology in the classroom with the aim of increasing student achievement. The students are embracing technology; therefore, teachers need to do the same. I believe it is part of my job to educate my colleagues, especially those who are afraid of technology, on ways of making the classroom more interesting with the use of technology integration. In addition, I will keep an ear out for any new technology that can be used in the classroom to enhance learning.
I now understand the impact of technology, on not only education, but work and society, as well. Therefore, I am making a concerted effort to have all my students and colleagues embracing technology in the classroom by the end of next year. I will also work on having school administration invest in purchasing more computers and other technological gadgets to be used in the classroom. The only foreseen challenge is funding, which means that in my action plan for the coming school year, I will have to seek funding to assist in this worthwhile venture.
My views on technology use have changed, and I am now able to see the positive effective of technology integration in the classroom. As educators, we need to develop technology that meets the needs of 21st century students, and incorporate web 2.0 applications that have far-reaching implications for the lives of our students. As an educator, one of the biggest challenges I face is to prepare students for a work environment that does not yet exist-one that utilizes technologies that have not yet been invented. Therefore, I am committed to meeting the expectations of my students, in order for them to function effectively in a global, highly collaborative, professional environment of the 21st century workplace.
