Blog #2 - My Philosophy of Education

     I believe it is important as an educator to keep learning and continue to modify your approach to find the best ways to relate material to students.  Our world is constantly being influenced by technology, and I believe it is crucial to use technology to improve and aid educational strategies.  By keeping up on new innovations and incorporating them in my classroom I will best prepare students to attain 21st Century skills.
     Technology in the classroom is not only necessary to engage students, but it is an essential tool for the future.  Every day our lives become more deeply ingrained in technology.  Teachers are responsible for integrating technology into the curriculum and instructional program in order to enhance student achievement.  Each student should be provided with equal access to technology in the school setting.   If one does not keep current with technology, he/she will be lost in the work world.  Teachers need to teach our children to respect the power of technology and the affects it has on the world and its people.  Students need to be taught how to responsibly use technology including social media before being given a device.

     Teachers should utilize technology for inquiry to discover approaches on how to create an open-ended learning environment by examining the roles of the teacher, student, and technological devises being used in the classroom.  The devised should aid to learning not distract students.  The computer is used as a tool to enhance learning by relating it to real-world data in order to solve problems.  The lessons should be student-centered and authentic while the classroom environment also includes a variety of resource-rich activities to reach all students.

     Using technology in the classroom also increases parent involvement and encourages communication.  Teachers can develop a class website where  students and parents can go to read postings or discussions, ask questions, and find homework assignments.  Computer technology allows students to extend his/her learning beyond the classroom by becoming connected with his/her community, other schools, and people, and sites from around the globe.

     As an educator, I will continue to increase my knowledge about technology and keep current with new innovations in order to provide the most successful learning environment for my students.  I will integrate technology in my classroom in order to provide my students with a 21st century education.    

Module 1: Blog Reflection

I am most excited to learn about how to use technology to come up with community based, student lead, inquiry type projects in the area of science for the middle school level.

The areas I might serve as a leader in for my classmates are "flipping" my classroom.  I have an online website with each unit for the year complete with pre-test, post-test, objectives written in "I can" statements, Flowcharts, self created video tutorials, projects, and assignments.

The areas I will need to spend more time exploring and getting ideas from my classmates are an easy way to have students create apps for Windows computers.  I would also help on what programming format is best to have students learn to code in a kid friendly manner without "dumbing" it down so much that it is no longer coding.