The trend I am seeing in education when I read articles, blogs, postings, and musings, is all about technology being the panacea to our engagement problems in the classroom. I receive articles about the newest app or software that will inspire your students to be successful and want to learn the topic being discussed. An article from the Huffington Post said "The most influential tool in the classrooms of today is the Internet, and districts, schools, and/or teachers that are not dealing with this reality are truly doing a huge disservice to their students". Is this an accurate prediction of the future of education? If a student doesn't have access to the internet are they incapable of learning, competing, and being successful? I agree that technology in education is important, but it must be used effectively and both content and pedagogy must take precedence over technology. Technology is rapidly changing and new products and abilities are entering the market daily. Five years ago, the concept of a smart watch was science fiction, but now Apple and Samsung have watches that are essentially computers that you can make phone calls with. Google has driver less cars on Bay Area roads and freeways undergoing beta testing. The major point is technology changes. A student in elementary school will learn a specific program or software and in high school, that software no longer exists. By the time the student completes college, technology will be much different. I remember someone saying that a student who is a computer science major, the information they learn as a freshman will be obsolete when they enter their junior year.
The 2015-2106 school year will bring new changes for me. All periods will be STEAM with an emphasis on the math and technology. I highlighted the ever changing world of technology above because I have to use and teach technology and I want the students to embrace the skills necessary to use tech, not just using a certain app or software. The goal for the next year is to synthesize tech with content, 21st century skills (using the rubrics from Napa Valley Unified School District), culturally responsive teaching, the 15 learning dispositions in the Deeper Learning book, and standards from ISTE. With all the information I have been learning in the Innovative Learning Program and all the amazing things everyone in this cohort has been doing in their classrooms I believe strongly that I can achieve my goals.
The 2015-2106 school year will bring new changes for me. All periods will be STEAM with an emphasis on the math and technology. I highlighted the ever changing world of technology above because I have to use and teach technology and I want the students to embrace the skills necessary to use tech, not just using a certain app or software. The goal for the next year is to synthesize tech with content, 21st century skills (using the rubrics from Napa Valley Unified School District), culturally responsive teaching, the 15 learning dispositions in the Deeper Learning book, and standards from ISTE. With all the information I have been learning in the Innovative Learning Program and all the amazing things everyone in this cohort has been doing in their classrooms I believe strongly that I can achieve my goals.