Dipping the toes in; Why My job doesn't suck

This has been a year of new endeavors in my classroom. For the first time, my students are now using Google Docs as their primary tool for writing in Language Arts. They are able to share their works with me on-line, and I am able to give feedback to them at any time. At first, the thought of doing this with 45 LA students seemed daunting, but I was blessed with a lot of support, and the results have been very positive. I never worried about how the kids would handle it - this stuff is such a part of their lives - it was getting over my own fears that mattered the most.

Another frontier I have entered lately has been expanding students' use of cell phones - specifically the smart phones so many of them have - in both my Reading and LA classes. There are some good resources out there, and for each class I am finding more and more reasons to create an environment in my classroom where students can effectively use their phones, while being responsible & thoughtful users. In Reading, some of my students now use their smart phones as e-readers, and download free books for independent reading time; they share great new books they've discovered with classmates. In Language Arts, I have had students who need to get some quick research done for a multi-media project...I only have 1 student computer in my classroom, and some days the computer lab is booked. Solution: use your smart phone, spend 2-3 minutes searching what you're looking for (our building is wireless), write down the facts & cite the source, good to go! I look forward to discovering more ways to take advantage of this technology, and further develop my classroom expectations & policies (along with the kids) to govern student use.

A big part of this has been the support of my principal, and that can't be overstated...it's a huge deal to work in an environment where you're supported & encouraged to do what's best for kids and learning, even if it is "new" and "untested" to a certain degree. That, along with many other things, is why on this particular Friday, my job doesn't suck. In fact, between that and the exciting new opportunities for learning and collaborating with and between my students, it can be downright rewarding at times.

Back From Break, Still Lying Fallow...

Don't misunderstand - I'm very much active in my classroom, interacting with students, giving instruction and facilitating learning, and providing feedback. What I mean is that while break is over (a very nice and restful break, I might add) and the action has resumed, I am very much in a state of rest and nourishment intellectually.

Huh?

A little while back, as part of an assignment for our Teaching & Technology cohort, a colleague of mine used farming as a metaphor for technology & education. Going with that thought, I find myself very much like a seed lying fallow, soaking in the nutrients to help me grow. As I've written before in this space, I really enjoy the learning process, of feeling challenged, and looking at ways to improve and grow. While I am between classes for the cohort, I am sitting back, soaking in lots of great information, and taking the time to reflect on everything going on within and outside of my classroom walls. Currently on my mind:

-Grading, standards, and the marriage of the two...
-Tech in my class and beyond - communities of learning...
-Motivation, and its latest paradigms - great stuff Daniel Pink...
-Creativity, and looking at education/schools/learning in a whole new way - Sir Ken...
-My role in all of this, where I am next year/5 years/10 years down the road...

There's a lot to be said for lying fallow. We don't often get to do it, especially in this profession. I will try to marinate in everything I've been taking in lately, hopefully to turn that into great new action down the road.

Course 1 Wrapping Up

So far it's been a whirlwind! Our first class in Edina's Teaching & Technology Cohort has flown by, with quite the learning curve and fantastic new experiences. The last eight weeks or so have given me a chance to increase my web presence, establish a personal learning network (PLN), learn a great deal from colleagues, collaborate on projects, and reflect on my own teaching - with technology's place in it - in the form of a metaphor essay.

While it hasn't always been pretty, and some of the timing got a little crazy with end-of-quarter responsibilities & conferences, it's been a completely rewarding experience. I look forward to the rest of the courses, hopeful that I will learn as much as I have so far.

Tech Cohort Mash-Up

Make your own digital collage

Writing, Thinking, Learning in 2010...

As I type this post, I'm listening to a podcast, entering grade updates (online), checking my twitter feed, and pondering writing, learning, and 21st century education technology.

One of my main professional goals this year is to push my students more into using digital platforms to write, express themselves, collaborate, and increase their global understanding. The process is still in the early stages, but I'm planting seeds to get my students thinking about how technology currently plays a role in the way they write, and how digital literacy can increase their written language skills.

Later this week, we will take a look at this article and prompt from the NY Times learning page. Hopefully, writing a 'love letter' to their favorite piece of technology will start to open the door for further discussion...

Not Your Father's Classroom...

Who am I kidding? This isn't my classroom, or even the classroom from my first year of teaching! This decade has been a whirlwhind. So much change, so much innovation, so many new ways to teach and learn. At the same time, it always feels like there isn't enough time in the day to keep up, much less develop ways to implement all the new technology into your classroom.

I feel like there's been some catch-up in the last few years, however, and being a part of Edina's Teaching & Technology cohort will only help. After all, a few years ago I would not have read this article about being a 21st century teacher, much less pass it on after identifying with many of the points.

Here's to staying above water...

New Learning, Same Joy

Last night was the first class meeting for Edina's Teaching & Technology cohort. I am very excited to be a part of this group, working with and learning from Edina colleagues. One of the highlights was a group activity where everyone created a Google Map, highlighting the places they've lived and the technology they lived with at the time. Thinking back to days of VCRs, TVs without remotes, the original Nintendo, and even Atari (what up, Frogger?!) was great. It was a fitting exercise to do on a day I happened to read a great obituary on The Walkman.

What I couldn't escape after last night's session was this realization: I really do enjoy learning. I know that sounds simple and perhaps obvious, but I don't think all teachers sincerely agree with me on that point. The challenge is exciting, new concepts are invigorating, and collaborating with people I work with is, quite frankly, refreshing.

So here's the challenge to myself: do whatever it takes to instill this in my students who don't have it, and foster that love for the students who already do enjoy learning. Being an example in my room on a daily basis, and modeling those behaviors is huge...I think that's why nights like last night are so important. You can be reminded of a basic fact you may have forgotten, and that simple "aha" moment can go a long way.