Educational Blogging

Blogging is meant  to allow a person to learn and then to respond to information.  What do many people do when they need information about a topic, they will go to their search engine of choice and ask the question.  In doing this, many circumstances lead to looking up other information.  Does this always happen in a classroom environment with blogging--not exactly.    Some reasons this does not happen in the context of "blogging" that was mentioned in the article, I feel are that there are so many limits and restrictions that occur in many school districts.  Students are permitted to go only certain sites, research certain information and other information is filtered.  This puts many limits on searching one topic that leads to visiting many other sites.  I think there were some great points made in the article, but I do not feel that "Blogging" is being used properly in many classrooms, I think school districts are getting there, but it is going to take practice and time for students and teachers alike to learn how to "weave" through the Internet and make valuable use of what is available today.

 

Creating a New Culture of Teaching

The point that stood out to me the most in November's article, "Creating a New Culture of Teaching and Learning" is the number one point that he makes:  "If it's on the Internet, is it True?"  I feel like this a very important aspect of teaching technology.  Many students are so accustomed to looking things up on the Internet, they need to be advised on methods of verifying information.  It is so easy to create web pages, and circulate information on line, students need to see examples of valid vs. non-valid information.  Educating students on looking at dates, authors, etc. will allow students the opportunity to learn websites/information that they can rely on.  It is also very wise and worth the class time to teach students about the information that they put out on the Internet, as well as knowing how to tell if the site is secure or not.  November makes some other very valid points in dealing with education, but I feel this one is one that should be taught to students from a very young age. 

Philosophy

One of my most memorable teachers was one that made me feel like an individual that was a part of a group.  She allowed me to work on things I needed to and showcase things that I did well.   She showed an interest in me, my family, and my interests.  One teacher that had a negative impact on me, assumed I knew things, was never willing to assist me and constantly humiliated me in front of the math class.  Growing up as an Army brat, we traveled all over the world and were exposed to many different teaching styles, expectations and cultures.  I realize that in having this opportunity, I had a passion for helping kids and thought teaching was a great avenue for pursuing that.  I realized that from all of my experiences all over the world that qualities I wanted to instill in all of my teaching methods and the things I hope no student would ever say about me!  I hope that my students see compassion, understanding, firmness, fun, learning and a great support system in my classroom. 

I would fall under a combination of “Pragmatism” and an “Idealist.”  I do feel that education is a priority and a necessary part of life.  I like being in a classroom that is flexible in strategies, teaching methods and even furniture.  I also feel that students need to be challenged and try to use higher cognitive level thinking skills. 

I feel that technology has no way of NOT being in our classrooms of the future!  The generation of students now in schools has had technology around most of their lives.  In the beginning of my teaching career, many of the “older generations” of teachers seemed to be afraid of technology—I choose to embrace it!  The classroom is an environment that I see as students being given the opportunity to express themselves and learn in a diverse way—including technology advancements.  Students now days will have technology in classrooms from a very young age, and in this techno savvy world, should be given opportunities to improve on skills as well as learn new skills.

As a teacher, I would hope that my classroom is one that allows students opportunities to do hands on activities while allowing them times of failure and success, while I am an observer, direction provider and a guide.  I would like my classroom to be a safe environment for all walks of life—every race, religion, sex, and level of intelligence feels welcome, special and loved—all while giving my students  the best educational experience I can offer!

By having this philosophy written down, I will be able to look back on it and adjust it as my ideas grow, expand and change over time.  I feel that it is a goal line that I am shooting for, but I am able to change it as necessary.