Hello everyone!
I live and teach in Russellville, Arkansas, where I grew up and went to college. My wife and I like to travel several times throughout the year, and I have also done some summer teaching out-of-state over the past several years. I teach online part-time, and in my full-time brick-and-mortar teaching role I am fortunate enough to have a full lab of computers in my classroom, so I use a hybrid approach for my courses. This semester, I hope to increase my fluency at selecting technology tools and incorporating them into instruction in such a way that my students' diverse learning-style needs are met. I typically catch on to new technology very quickly, but applying it within an instructional context comes somewhat slower. Often times, I know there's a connection and potential benefit for learning, but articulating that is a bit of a challenge initially. I look forward to becoming more skilled in that area.
It's interesting you mention that instructional context comes a little slower. I have found that for myself as well!
ReplyDeleteSince I took over the role as a Technology Coordinator at our school I have found that many times I will be trying to find a solution to a type of instructional problem and then some technology or app comes into mind and I can share the information with the other teacher.
I look forward to working in the class with you.
Hi Sam and Class,
ReplyDeleteActually, it is very good that you take the instructional problem first, then find a technology solution. Oftentimes, people find a new (cool) technology and search for an educational use for it. What are some of your thoughts on this practice?
--Diane
This is where monies get wasted. I have seen tech teachers (and even directors!) make a purchase because it "looked like such a cool tool in the magazine". Then they try to figure out how to use it later. How foolhardy. You must look hard at your learners first for they are the people we are serving. What is the need of the learner, and how can we best address that need. That is how you make tech purchases that are smart and effective. That is how you justify the expenditure to your principal or superintendent.
ReplyDelete