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I believe that teachers shape the future.
There are things in life that seem so abstract or immense that we struggle to wrap our minds around their construct.
Close your eyes and imagine the universe. Do you see it? Can you see it all? Now imagine that you can see the very edges of the universe...can you? Can you imagine what lies beyond the edges of your imagination? Hard to fathom. Almost makes your head spin trying to stretch your mind to grasp it all.
I believe that this is what it is like being a teacher. We try to imagine the boundaries of our students' futures, to dream vicariously through their eyes while trying to offer some tangible grounding in the present so that they don't drift away from
us. Their futures; moving, swirling and shapeless voids of opportunity mixed with anticipation, passions, optimism, talents and dreams, all colliding in precious moments of hope.
I believe that this is the role of the teacher: somehow we must capture these abstract raw materials and fashion them in order to shape the future of each student. We must watch the swirling chaos and provide it just enough form that it can adjust to time, pressure and change. We don't know what the future holds so we must be careful not to form it too much or to push for
something in our likeness. We must do what is hard: transform our students into people who can think for themselves, question the answers and stand strong in the unknown.
I believe that technology will become even more pervasive than we ever could have dreamed. As teachers we need to be able to facilitate this transition. I don't think that teachers should be entertainers. We have more important things to do than to perform for an audience who doesn't know that they should expect so much more. You can be a digital native, born into a world of technology, and still not understand how it works or the importance of technology. Our students need to be able to find information, collaborate with peers and find creative solutions to real-world problems. Our students need so much more than
entertainment. They need teachers who understand that success is built on a foundation of knowledge in many different things. Gone are the days of specialization; now is the time of information. Students need to have a strong foundation in all subjects from math and science to government and ecology. We need to be able to bridge curriculum and transform our pedagogy to
meet our students' needs. Technology offers students the flexibility to succeed in this ever changing and fast-paced future.
I believe that it is possible to develop lessons that are rich in content, delivered in a clear, effective and engaging manner and can be presented in a quality format using technology as the medium. Pedagogy is not merely the act of teaching; it is the art of matching content to need. Our students' needs are changing and schools and teachers must adjust to meet their needs. Technology allows us to meet the needs of diverse learners and match content to foster achievement. Assignments like book reports can be developed and produced depending on a student's interest and need. Podcasts, vodcasts, movies, power point
presentations, cartoons and many other forms of technology can be used to produce the same result and allow each student to creatively communicate their understanding of the material.
I believe that all students have something to contribute and technology gives a voice to those who may not otherwise have
one. Creativity unlocks the imagination and gives way to communication. I often envy those who can use words and language to say things that truly touch others. Song writers who capture feeling and entrance thousands through their music and words; poets who bring to life the simple and make us dream; leaders whose words can inspire a nation when all hope seems lost--these are the faces that we see looking back at us in the classroom. Technology gives them the tools to reach out and touch others in ways we cannot fathom. We are the keepers of the tools.
Like the TPACK model, I believe that mistakes are not the end of learning, but one of the things that makes succeeding more challenging and interesting. Mistakes are not the end of the learning process, they are just beginning. TPACK teaches that there is no right or wrong technology, just good implantations (matchings) and bad. I use technology in my classroom every day, but before this series of courses, I never considered many alternatives to popular technology. My job has been to teach kids Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Publisher, etc. I created my lessons around technology. I believe that TPACK teaches us that technology is a process not a tool. It would be like teaching an auto mechanic to use a wrench instead of helping them understand how the electrical system works. I believe that I need to be teaching the big ideas of technology, not how
a single program works.
As a technology leader in my district, I believe that it is my responsibility to introduce my peers to TPACK as well as educate them in the different forms and uses for technology in the classroom. Teachers are expected to find time to research new technologies and implement them but they have no method or real means to do so other than trial and error. I believe that it
is my responsibility to share technology with my peers and show them how they can develop personally and professionally in the digital age. Programs like Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and Weebly can help them engage in professional learning networks as well as develop an online professional presence that they can use to collaborate and motivate others with.
I believe that failure is not an option. Students must be taught to view failure as a time for looking at the process, re-evaluating their course of action and plotting a new course to success. Teaching students that failure is not the end, but part of the process is critical for developing deep thinkers who, through creativity and evaluation, can solve complex and challenging problems. Perseverance is not something that you are only born with, but something that can be taught and should be taught. I believe
that high expectations are challenges that develop the greatest of minds and bring out the best in students.
I truly believe that great teachers shape to future through direction, positive experiences, building strong minds, cultivating creativity, teaching students and each other to use the tools of the future to build critical independent thinkers. We must create 21st century learners. Learners who collaborate, innovate and create. Technology is the key to unlock success for these learners. Technology offers different expression and interpretation of information, it allows us to close the gaps that separate us from each other and it allows us to share our ideas with the world. Our students are not passive participants in this future that we shape. They are the leaders of tomorrow, the innovators who will one day take up the reins when we no longer understand the world around us. This future has a face and has a name...we call them students. Teachers shape the future.
There are things in life that seem so abstract or immense that we struggle to wrap our minds around their construct.
Close your eyes and imagine the universe. Do you see it? Can you see it all? Now imagine that you can see the very edges of the universe...can you? Can you imagine what lies beyond the edges of your imagination? Hard to fathom. Almost makes your head spin trying to stretch your mind to grasp it all.
I believe that this is what it is like being a teacher. We try to imagine the boundaries of our students' futures, to dream vicariously through their eyes while trying to offer some tangible grounding in the present so that they don't drift away from
us. Their futures; moving, swirling and shapeless voids of opportunity mixed with anticipation, passions, optimism, talents and dreams, all colliding in precious moments of hope.
I believe that this is the role of the teacher: somehow we must capture these abstract raw materials and fashion them in order to shape the future of each student. We must watch the swirling chaos and provide it just enough form that it can adjust to time, pressure and change. We don't know what the future holds so we must be careful not to form it too much or to push for
something in our likeness. We must do what is hard: transform our students into people who can think for themselves, question the answers and stand strong in the unknown.
I believe that technology will become even more pervasive than we ever could have dreamed. As teachers we need to be able to facilitate this transition. I don't think that teachers should be entertainers. We have more important things to do than to perform for an audience who doesn't know that they should expect so much more. You can be a digital native, born into a world of technology, and still not understand how it works or the importance of technology. Our students need to be able to find information, collaborate with peers and find creative solutions to real-world problems. Our students need so much more than
entertainment. They need teachers who understand that success is built on a foundation of knowledge in many different things. Gone are the days of specialization; now is the time of information. Students need to have a strong foundation in all subjects from math and science to government and ecology. We need to be able to bridge curriculum and transform our pedagogy to
meet our students' needs. Technology offers students the flexibility to succeed in this ever changing and fast-paced future.
I believe that it is possible to develop lessons that are rich in content, delivered in a clear, effective and engaging manner and can be presented in a quality format using technology as the medium. Pedagogy is not merely the act of teaching; it is the art of matching content to need. Our students' needs are changing and schools and teachers must adjust to meet their needs. Technology allows us to meet the needs of diverse learners and match content to foster achievement. Assignments like book reports can be developed and produced depending on a student's interest and need. Podcasts, vodcasts, movies, power point
presentations, cartoons and many other forms of technology can be used to produce the same result and allow each student to creatively communicate their understanding of the material.
I believe that all students have something to contribute and technology gives a voice to those who may not otherwise have
one. Creativity unlocks the imagination and gives way to communication. I often envy those who can use words and language to say things that truly touch others. Song writers who capture feeling and entrance thousands through their music and words; poets who bring to life the simple and make us dream; leaders whose words can inspire a nation when all hope seems lost--these are the faces that we see looking back at us in the classroom. Technology gives them the tools to reach out and touch others in ways we cannot fathom. We are the keepers of the tools.
Like the TPACK model, I believe that mistakes are not the end of learning, but one of the things that makes succeeding more challenging and interesting. Mistakes are not the end of the learning process, they are just beginning. TPACK teaches that there is no right or wrong technology, just good implantations (matchings) and bad. I use technology in my classroom every day, but before this series of courses, I never considered many alternatives to popular technology. My job has been to teach kids Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Publisher, etc. I created my lessons around technology. I believe that TPACK teaches us that technology is a process not a tool. It would be like teaching an auto mechanic to use a wrench instead of helping them understand how the electrical system works. I believe that I need to be teaching the big ideas of technology, not how
a single program works.
As a technology leader in my district, I believe that it is my responsibility to introduce my peers to TPACK as well as educate them in the different forms and uses for technology in the classroom. Teachers are expected to find time to research new technologies and implement them but they have no method or real means to do so other than trial and error. I believe that it
is my responsibility to share technology with my peers and show them how they can develop personally and professionally in the digital age. Programs like Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and Weebly can help them engage in professional learning networks as well as develop an online professional presence that they can use to collaborate and motivate others with.
I believe that failure is not an option. Students must be taught to view failure as a time for looking at the process, re-evaluating their course of action and plotting a new course to success. Teaching students that failure is not the end, but part of the process is critical for developing deep thinkers who, through creativity and evaluation, can solve complex and challenging problems. Perseverance is not something that you are only born with, but something that can be taught and should be taught. I believe
that high expectations are challenges that develop the greatest of minds and bring out the best in students.
I truly believe that great teachers shape to future through direction, positive experiences, building strong minds, cultivating creativity, teaching students and each other to use the tools of the future to build critical independent thinkers. We must create 21st century learners. Learners who collaborate, innovate and create. Technology is the key to unlock success for these learners. Technology offers different expression and interpretation of information, it allows us to close the gaps that separate us from each other and it allows us to share our ideas with the world. Our students are not passive participants in this future that we shape. They are the leaders of tomorrow, the innovators who will one day take up the reins when we no longer understand the world around us. This future has a face and has a name...we call them students. Teachers shape the future.