If the educational system is going to bring itself back from the dark abyss, teachers need to be proactive by setting professional development goals. It is of no secret that as of now, many students are receiving a sub-par education because many educators are ill-equipped to meet their students’ needs. “Compared with students' technology-infused lives outside of school, the traditional classroom is a somber place” (Prensky, 2008, 42). The answer is simple; educators need to take matter into their own hands. In this case, after reviewing National Education Standards for Teacher, I realize that two areas I need to approve upon are standards three and five.
To begin, standard three deals with modeling digital-age work and learning and standard five is engage in professional growth and leadership. After reviewing the descriptors of these two indicators, I feel that I can create a GAME plan that meets both standards simultaneously. Therefore, I need to first establish clear cut goals. However, I must first assess my current knowledge and skills in terms of technology (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). In this case, I know that I am very tech savvy in comparison to my fellow colleagues. I utilize blogs, wikis, podcasts, cell phones, and SMART technologies on a regular basis. However, I also realize that I have not exhibited my knowledge of these skills beyond my classroom. I need to not only model these skills, but I need to be a leader and advocate their use throughout my school. I also realize that I need to learn more as well and continue my professional development by continuing to learn more about the latest technologies and their role in education.
Next, I need to take action in order to fulfill these goals. I have to truly take on the role of being a self-directed learner by taking control of my goals (Laureate, 2009). Therefore, during our monthly professional development days, I am going to model the use of a new technology for colleagues. This will enable me to teach my fellow contemporaries how I use certain tools for educational purposes, and it will also enable us to collaborate on generating new ideas to enhance future lessons.
Monitoring my goals will be based on feedback from my colleagues, students, and parents. At the end of my monthly sessions, I will ask my colleagues to complete surveys regarding what was helpful, what areas need improvement, and what technologies they need further support within their classrooms. As I take on the role of presenting, I will receive feedback from the audience.
Lastly, I will evaluate my goals throughout the entire process. During my monthly PD, I will alter my practices based on the requirements of my fellow staff members. Ultimately, it is their needs that I want to meet by modeling and discussing the various technologies. As new obstacles arise, I will alter my goals and execution as necessary to be successful.
Before education falls into complete darkness, I intend on doing my part as an educator by making a clear GAME plan and completing it successfully. My students deserve the best from me, and I realize that I am not doing enough to make other educators aware of all the wonderful technologies available. My classroom is only one of eight that my students experience, and if I am the only one bringing light into their education, then I am not fulfilling my duties as a teacher. I have been blessed with opportunities to have a 21st century classroom, and it is my turn to repay the favor by giving back to education through my knowledge.
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Program one. Promoting self-directed learning with technology. Integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore: Author.
Prensky, Marc. (2008). Turning on the lights. Educational Leadership, 65(6), 40-45.
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Hello Max,
ReplyDeleteThank you first of all for acknowledging that education as it is now will be heading into the abyss sooner rather than later.
I have been in a computer lab for 9 years. It is difficult to get students to learn the necessary skills without the teamwork of the homeroom teachers. Unfortunately, they view me as a "prep machine."
At the same time, I do like your idea of the PD each month or so. I could try it even now, but our school has almost all of these days completely structured.
I will take your advice on the PD day though and see if I can get anywhere with it.
One suggestion, as much as I love technology, I would have the teachers fill out the survey before they leave, on paper if necessary. If not, you many never get the answers you are looking for.
Steve,
ReplyDeleteThanks for responding. I understand your frustration with teachers believing that it is your job to teach all the students how to use the large variety of computer programs simply because they believe it is your content. In regards to the PD days, I believe you should ask your principal (or whoever is in charge of deciding what is going to be focused on during the PD) for fifteen minutes of the PD day to offer suggestions on how teachers can use technology in the classroom. The ones who care will latch onto your ideas and may even come into your room during their planning hour for extra assistance. The ones who do not care need to be re-evaluated by the principal as to their effectiveness in educating students.
Thanks for sharing,
Max Mills