I AM A 21st CENTURY LEARNER!

     In watching the videos regarding  21st Century Teachers, I am reminded that my career as a teacher will  never grow stagnant! To teach students to be life- long learners, I too must continue to be a life- long learner. As an effective teacher for the 21st century, I must continuously adapt and evolve to the ever changing world in which I live and that my students are growing up in. When I adapt and change to new technologies, I am able to teach my students in a "language" they understand. This "language" may include using a blog to analyze literature, conducting surveys by test messages, or even by having the students develop a video to show real math situations.

     When we as teachers compromise and do not allow ourselves to become fearful of new ways to teach, we have the ability to "unleash the powers that students bring with them into the classroom." With the use of technology and the realization that we are life- long learners, teachers have the ability to meet the different learning styles presented by their students by speaking a "language"  in which they can relate to.We also have the ability to reach more students by giving them the opportunity to engage in their own learning process.

Creativity... The Future of Education

     I recently watched a video by Sir Ken Robinson in which he was speaking about the importance of creativity in our students. As I listened to his call to educate the students' entire "being", a spark of encouragement was lit within me. Sir Robinson makes many great points. However, one that really sticks out to me is that children are not frightened by being wrong and they will take chances. Yet, as they continue throughout our education system, they are "educated out of their creativity". This poses some questions in my mind, such as "what will I do in my classroom to engage my students' creativity and help it to thrive?" and "what will I NOT do as to not cause my students to be afraid of being wrong?"

      The first thing I will implement in my classroom to encourage creativity is develop a sense of community. This will begin on the first day of school. Our classroom will be a SAFE place. A place where the students are free to discover new things, ask questions about things they do not understand, and each student will be valued for the diverse and dynamic person that they are. I want my students to know that their ideas are valued! The second item I will implement is to know my students well enough to teach them in a way that connects with their individual learning style in order to spark their creativity. While these implementations may not change the "fundamental principles of how we educate our children", I believe it is a start to,as Sir Robinson says, "to see children as the hope that they are."

Technology In the Classroom... It's A MUST

I am quite embarrassed to say, but before entering my Instructional Design and Technology Class, I had not given technology in my classroom much thought.  Sure, there would be a teacher computer, some student computers and if I was very fortunate, maybe one of those "high tech" smart boards..... But upon further discovery... technology in the classroom is of the utmost importance! I will be doing an injustice to my future students if I do not incorporate technology in the classroom!!!

Thanks to my Tech class, I have realized that one way to be effective in teaching my students is to make my classroom a place where 21st- century learning takes place.... I am not exactly sure what that looks like since I don't know what grade I will teach... But I am committed to provide the tools necessary for my students to be successful in this tech- savvy world in which we live. My textbook, Web 2.0 New Tools, New Schools, said it best... "Today's education system faces irrelevance unless we bridge the gap between how students live and how they learn." I am determined to have a relevant classroom where the my students are prepared for the 21st century jobs!