Thinking about Course Content

     The biggest thing I am going to take from this class and use in the next year is making sure my lesson plans involving technology are in depth.  This will help me in my professional situation and can be something that the rest of my school/corporation can use.  I do not want to just replace paper and pencil with the laptop.  I want their lessons to be meaningful and be something they HAVE to use the laptop for, not just as a substitution.  If a teacher has never been 1:1 before, it is very easy to throw their notes on the laptop and think this is an effective way of using the device.  While they are allowing the students to use them, it is not the best way to use the technology in their hands.  Teachers must dig in deep and find ways to implement the technology that is meaningful and helps the students learn.
     Another great part of this class was the collaboration.  I was very excited to help the teachers who have never had devices in their classrooms before.  It can be very overwhelming and sometimes seem like an extra chore.  However, once they get the hang of it and really see another teacher applying the devices in an "outside of the box" kind of way, they will start to catch on quick.
   

Shifting Focus

     The society we live in is technology-driven.  I think we all know that.  However, teaching students to use technology to learn can be tricky.  It is almost overwhelming for them at times.  When I taught AP chemistry, I would ask students to write the procedure for a specific lab.  I also told them they could utilize any online resources to do so.  They all looked at me with the "deer in headlights" look.  I realized that I assumed they knew how to research things and assumed that they were comfortable with their iPads (after all, they are on their iPhones, iPods, etc. all day outside of school).  I took a huge step back and started explaining things in baby steps.  I told them to first research  research what materials they would need, then how to write a procedure, and so on.  I was also sure to always use technology in my lessons.  This gave them the ability to become more comfortable and less hesitant with their devices.
     Students can show us mastery and understanding of a material while using their devices in multiple ways.  However, the way I found it most useful was to give them open-ended questions and to not limit what they can use on their iPads.  For example, the students had a project on careers in chemistry.  I gave them limitations and things that had to be covered, of course, but that was it.  It took them awhile to get started.  I would have one group raise their hand and say, "Can we make a keynote."  I simply replied, "yes."  Somebody else asked, "Can we use garage band?"  Again, "yes."  It got to the point where their realized the sky was the limit and their projects were unbelievable.  They included music, embedded movies, slide transitions, and anything else you can imagine!

Classroom Management Challenges

     According to the article, "Freedom, Digital Distraction, and Control", my classroom development atmosphere would best relate to control by technology.  In my previous job, every teacher had an iPad.  During "PD meetings," some teachers would present new material to the staff.  During that time, they would say, "Apples up," meaning, make your iPad go to sleep so you are paying attention.  If you did not, they would call you out and try to make you feel bad.  I HATED it. A lot of teachers were turned away and instead of listening to the new material, the teachers would zone out.
     I now work at a building where every teacher gets a laptop during faculty meetings.  The principal is aware enough to understand that as teachers, we can multitask.  He starts a blog every meeting from todaysmeet.com, and we are blogging to each other and emailing, etc.  He never once tells us to close our laptops.  I cannot even describe the climate in our meetings.  Everybody loves being there and we are not being treated like students.  It has actually made me want to pay more attention and give him the respect that he gives me.  I run my classroom the same way.  I make sure the technology students are using empowers them and drives them enough to where they do not have time or even want to stray (although, some still do).
     With all of that being said, I think moving my classroom to the self-control classroom atmosphere would be easy.  We all have to realize that students' attention spans are only as long as minutes in their age.  Therefore, even a high school senior will not want to pay attention to a single technology-driven assignment longer than 20 minutes.  Therefore, them giving themselves a "technology-break" and maybe playing a game for two minutes should not be that big of an issue, as long as they get back on task.  I think if students know exactly what is expected out of them, and they know the timelines, their work will still get done.  The worst thing we could do is drive them away from the technology at their fingertips.

Communicating with Stakeholders

     There are three main things stakeholders need to understand when accepting technology in schools:  digital citizenship, classroom management, and useful purposes of the device.  Digital citizenship is a big one for students.  It is very tempting for them to jump on Twitter and/or Facebook during class.  They can even play games.  However, educating the students on what is right and wrong is key in this process.  They need to understand the importance of gaining the teacher's trust, but also trusting enough in themselves that they will stay on task.
     Some people may seem classroom management as the same thing as digital citizenship.  I do not.  How a teacher manages their classroom is crucial in using technology in the classroom.  First of all, all devices should be charged and every student should bring one to class, every day.  If not, the system will fail.  Teachers also need to make sure students are on task and that they have plenty to do.  Every single student must be held accountable for their actions.  If not, their classroom will be a mess!
     Lastly, the stakeholders need to understand the importance of technology in each subject area.  In science, students will be able to conduct dangerous virtual labs that they otherwise would not be able to do in the classroom, due to corrosive chemicals.  Students will be able to take a picture of a river and mark the distance between that landmark and a specific type of plant.  The uses go on and on.

21st Century Skills

                The skills that I believe are the most crucial for students outside of the school walls are learning and innovation skills.  Students have to learn how to communication effectively, whether it be with friends or coworkers.  If a student cannot get their point across and talk in a professional way, their professional life may be affected.  Students must also learn how to collaborate with one another.  Being able to talk out a problem with a group of people is crucial in today’s society.  Students need to be creative in the ways they solve problems and deal with everyday situations.  In the professional world, businesses want workers who stand out and take initiative.  They want people who can creatively solve problems and get other coworkers involved.  The last part of this skill is the most important to me.  Students have got to learn how to think critically.  It is imperative that teachers give assignments and base projects around critical thinking skills.  There are so many problems in today’s world in which people have to think very hard about how to reach an outcome.  I have seen too many times students who cannot think “outside of the box” and this is a huge problem.

                These skills are very easily incorporated into a technology infusion plan.  Science is a subject where students normally strengthen their critical thinking skills through labs and other projects.  With the use of a tablet or computer, students could visit virtual labs or even WebQuests involving problems in the world today.  I have assigned WebQuests in my classrooms before and they are awesome!  A group of students are given a task and have a description as to the type of process they will be led through.  They have an end problem and goal they are trying to reach.  Besides that, it is pretty much a free-for-all on how they get to the end result.  This type of activity covers every part of the learning and innovation skills.  Also, students must use the internet and research crucial information to reach their goal.

                Learning and innovation skills can be assessed in many ways.  In going back to the WebQuest, I would easily be able to see how the students are working together.  Are they helping each other?  Are they reaching the end result in a creative way?  A rubric could be designed to make sure all of the skills are being put into practice.  Also, I have, in the past, given students a rubric where they grade each other, with caution, of course.  It is very common for there to be a student in the group whose peers give them a bad grade just because they got in a fight last night, or something of the sort.  In those situations, where I know the student has been working, I trump their score and give the score I believe the student deserves.  This process is also brought to the attention of every student before I pass the rubric out.

Philosophy of Education

                The purpose of education can be defined in many ways.  It is always changing.  Students evolve more and more and the years go by.  They become smarter and experience more things in life.  As a teacher, I will stay ahead of the game.  I will keep up on the new technology and breakthroughs in the world of science.  I believe as teachers, we need to continue to grow and teach our students what they will need in the real world.  I will make sure they learn my content area, as well as instill core values within them.

                I believe the classroom needs to be student-driven.  More and more students are hands-on learners.  Students in my classroom will develop critical thinking skills and practice these through hands-on labs and activities.  Students will know what I expect of them and will get the job done.  Students in my classroom will also feel safe.  I know this is imperative to great student learning.

                As a teacher, I will draw the students into my content area of science.  I will do this by using hands-on activities, but more importantly, relating all of their experiences in my classroom to the real world.  I will be respectful of my students and allow them to have their own opinions and make choices.  I will not just lecture in my classroom.  I will have plenty of projects for the students to complete to help them learn the standards.

                Technology is very important in our world today.  Technology is used every day no matter where you turn.  I will implement technology into my classroom.  I will help students understand how to use it and show them how it is beneficial.  I will show this to my students by allowing them to do virtual labs.  They will see that these labs cannot be done in real life, whether it is because of the chemicals used or for lack of time.  This will show them how important technology really is, especially for educational purposes.

                I will make sure to help students enjoy learning.  They need to have fun, as well as improve their skills within the classroom.  I will motivate my students and help them grow.  As an educator, I will implement activities using all of the learning styles, making sure my students learn the material in their own individual ways.

Can't Wait!

     I am so excited to begin this journey towards technology!  I am very curious on how to implement technology into my classroom, but more importantly, I want to flip my classroom completely.  I know a few teachers who have done this.  I know it is time consuming, but in the end, well worth it!

     I have worked in a school where every student had an iPad.  They were able to take them home, etc., allowing them to view notes and complete classwork.  I do not know if I would call myself an "expert," but would love to help teachers learn how to begin using technology within the classroom.  I know how scary it can be, especially with teachers who have students that have not had technology at their fingertips in a school setting.  It can be overwhelming, but we need to realize, it is very beneficial.

     Although I have used technology before, I would love to receive more ideas from my classmates on how to actually utilize the technology to its fullest extent.  I have used My Big Campus before, which is a great tool.  However, I am not the best at knowing how to create bundles and all of the extra things.  I know how to post homework assignments and give quizzes, but would love to know more!