Lydia
Harpe
Reading
Reflection #5
Ever since my very first education class I have learned from my professors and from my peers that the most valuable resource a first-year teacher can have is the advice from the teachers around her. This chapter reinforces that idea by saying that "team management takes effort but...is worth the investment" (80); it also suggests many other invaluable assets that teachers will need to gather as they plan their "big idea"; these include supplies, experts on the topic, and technology.
Technology
is essential to a 21st century project and there are a wide variety
of ways to use it! For example, my group's project this semester is
designing and creating a healthy dessert oookbook, and I can envision
the students in my classroom using a class blog to share ideas and
skype to communicate with chefs and bakers around the world! I just
wrote a lesson plan about having my students use laptops and ipads to
research desserts from countries around the world; this information
would not be nearly as accessible without the technology that allows
the students to instantly find it!
In
order to manage a project appropriately, teachers need to use tools
for communicating with their students about the project (such as a
blog or class website), systems for managing work products, and
assessment tools and strategies. Technology can be used for all of
these to make important information easily accessible and visible to
both students and teachers. As students work through a project they
are going to need ways to stay on track and receive timely feedback,
and teachers can connect with their students outside of the classroom
through using technology. Students will also be able to collaborate
with one another and seek assistance through using the technology
that their teachers make available.
Last
week's lecture about high and low tech really excited me about the
endless possibilities for technology in my future classroom and so
did this chapter! I hope to start simply and then build my way up to
managing a classroom that utilizes technology as a way for teachers
and students to connect, collaborate, and assist in learning!
I think I was as excited as you were to be able to relate this chapter with our project. The use of technology in itself is a broad, useful tool that continues to branch off into more helpful and accessible agents. I think you touched well on the just-in-time feedback, by mentioning teachers and students could critique the work easily.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about what the first year teacher needs. Because as one day teachers we are going to have to look at more experienced teachers to help us become those great teachers/leaders.
ReplyDelete