WEEK 7: Final Posting

In Week 7 I have been asked to address the following questions:

• In what ways has this course helped you to develop your own technology skills as a professional teacher?
• In what ways have you deepened your knowledge of the teaching and learning process?
• In what ways have you changed your perspective from being teacher-centered to learner-centered?
• In what ways can you continue to expand your knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology with the aim of increasing student achievement?

1. As a professional teacher this course has helped me to develop a better understanding of how to use technology in the classroom and develop skills needed to implement new things such as podcasting in my classroom. I think the one thing that has influenced me greatly is gaining the understanding that using technology is a learning process. I know now that the important thing is that I am exposing my students to ways that they can use technology to enhance my student learning and my own teaching practices. 
2. The ways in which I have deepened my knowledge of the teaching and learning process of using technology is by having the courage to try new things. I think because technology is advancing so rapidly for example now we have the ipad 2 it is critical that I as teacher stay fresh on the new technology that is being developed. This does not mean I or we as teachers have to go and buy everything that is new that comes out, but to read blogs, reviews, view podcast, youtube, and other resources to know what is out there and how these technological tools can enhance our teaching practices. 
3. Essentially I have come to better understand that Technology can not replace us as teachers but has indeed change our roles as teachers. Now that I know NETS standards and P21 or the 21st Century Skills that my students need I can apply what I have learned in this course to meet these standards and provide students with the skills they will need for tomorrow.
4. The ways in which I can continue to expand my knowledge of learning, teaching, leading with technology with the aim of increasing student achievement is to collaborate more with other teachers that are using different technology tools in their classrooms such as those that are in this course and continue to view and share each others blogs on trying new technology tools addressing pros and cons. Also, subscribe to technology blogs to help me keep in the loop on technology that can be useful to me in the classroom. The primary goal that I have is to understanding that my expansion of knowledge will be sometimes learning along side with my students as well as even learning from them. If I can be open to the new possibilities and manage keeping students safe and give them the know how to use new things responsibly then I feel that I can increase student success in my classroom because I will be providing them the opportunity to express themselves using technology and preparing them for the future. 

 
One quote that I think sums up my thoughts comes from a Maori proverb that says, "Focus on my strengths and my weaknesses will disappear" This proverb can be viewed in light of our students. If we as teachers focus on the strengths of our students and reinforce their strengths then they will overcome their weaknesses. They are digital learners so as teachers we need to validate what our students know and reinforce it.  MAHALO DR. KRAUSS! I will do my best to apply what I have learned in this course throughout my life not only as a teacher;)

Check out these sites for more information on NETS Standards (National Educational Technology Standards)
and P21 (Partnerships for the 21st Century)

1. http://www.iste.org/standards.aspx
2.http://www.p21.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=254&Itemid=120