So Long Summer School...

As part of my Masters program through Walden University please allow me to reflect on a few pieces and parts of my learning. The way this course has helped me to develop my own technology skills as a teacher is I wasn’t aware how interactive the web is. This new interaction is called Web 2.0. Web 1.0 presented information to the viewer; Web 2.0 allows the user to interact not only with the website but with other people using that site as well. Talk about a connected world! For me this has allowed an analogy to become to clear. My teaching used to be Teaching 1.0, where I presented and the students ‘got it’. Fear no longer! I have become a practitioner of Teaching 2.0, an interactive style where students interact not only with me at the teacher but with other students.
Staying plugged in with new technologies, taking classes, knowing what my students are up to as far as the newest technology will help me to stay fresh and up to date with what is happening in technology, but also this will transfer to the classroom where I can further help my students with increasing their achievement in all areas of school.
Two long term goals I have for transforming my classroom environment will be to apply for grants to secure a mini-lab for my classroom. Just three or four lap tops with internet access would allow literally the world to be at my student’s finger tips!!! Another goal I have in to finish this Master’s in technology degree and be an inspiration for my fellow teachers who maybe apprehensive about going to this new ‘Teaching 2.0’, to help them see the joy students have through self discovery and to see exactly how this style of teaching can produce a whole new style of learning.

Podcast

Well....here it is! My first Podcast...check it out! Shayne

http://www.podcastmachine.com/podcasts/1475/episodes/6899

21st Century Learning

Currently I am enrolled in a master’s program through the Walden University. Through this program I discovered a website, Partnership for 21st Century Skills. www.21stcenturyskills.org. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills urges business, education, and government leaders to join this effort, think strategically about implementing 21st century skills into learning, and work long-term to create an education system that best prepares today’s students for tomorrow’s workplace. P21 Leadership States design new standards, assessments, and professional development programs that prepare students with the 21st century skills they need to be successful in school, work, and life. To become a P21 Leadership State, a state demonstrates commitment from the governor and chief state school officer and submits an application to P21 that describes the state’s plan to revise standards, create assessments and implement 21st century skills professional development programs.
This very good website marries the ideas of how to implement what our employers need with what our students are learning. I found it a good resource and a sort of wishbook for what our schools and classrooms might look like to better prepare out children to compete not only in our workforce at home but in this ever expanding, ever smaller global community workforce. Please remember, I said wishbook. Without support or mandates from the US Federal Government, it is difficult to hold local schools to these standards. Currently only eleven states are currently part of this partnership. It is interesting to me that NCLB set certain standards for education but states are free to arrive at these. I think when we are all on the same page nationally then truly the playing field will be more level…certainly groups like Partnership for 21st Century Skills are stepping out to help make this happen for our young people.

The Real World

How do people in the real world do it? I work 185 days a year, have two and a half months off during the Summer and still have stuff left to do at the end of my day. Mowing the lawn, working on my masters, going out to lunch...where does the time go? Happy Summer to all of you!

Not to Worry!

OK....I figured out the RSS thing...I think...and so I guess after 5 days, I'm a professional blogger or not. Anyway, I'm am having a heck of a good time and I've even hooked a couple of suckers in my class...hooray!!!

The Classroom & Blogs

Using blogs in our classrooms is one of the hottest ways to use technology in our schools. I do not use blogs yet but this fall I will begin to use these communication devices with my students and their parents. Teaching middle school, communication with parents is paramount. Also, helping students to remember homework assignments, upcoming quizzes and tests will be invaluable to my students. As the Student Council advisor, blogging will be a great way to communicate with the student body and the faculty. Blogging...it's the cool thing to do!

Welcome to my blog! If you got here welcome! I don't know what the heck I am doing but I hope I can figure this out! Thanks for stopping by.