3+Reflective+Journal+November+16th

All of the readings this week were great reinforcements to a lot of the ideas that our team has been discussing. My team seems to agree completely that 21st Century skills are needed in the classroom. The issue we have struggled with is how to incorporate them into each of our classes. I already have so many ideas that I'd like to try. I've been champing at the bit to be able to assign some of the assignments that I had to do in college. However, they are assignments that would require 30+ computers and programs we may or may not have at the high school. I've been reluctant to even assign work that requires the students to email or create word documents because many of my students will tell me that they have a computer at mom's and not dad's (or vice versa) or not at all. I will often times tell them to utilize the public library, but for some of them that requires a car trip that mom or dad may not be willing to provide. If I had regular access to computers, I could assign some more meaningful and technologically driven work.

As we've been creating our survey, it has been noted by all on our team that the needs of our students may be a bit different from other schools. A lot of our students may not have regular access to technology. In the last five years, I've had students who can do any task on a cell phone or computer, and I've also had students who don't own or have regular access to either. Hopefully, this survey will shed some light on the subject I've found that many of my students are proficient with the internet and programs such as word, but many are not savvy searchers. It will also hopefully show whether the students have regular access and knowledge about the technology we want to use.

As an English teacher, I can't stress how important I think it is to create students who are information literate. I am getting tired of assigning a writing project and having the students copy paste information into a word document with little or no regard. Also, if our assignment does require research, or something like it, there is no guarantee that the students can discern fact from fiction and relaiable sources from unreliable sources. I can model,explain, and guide, but I can't be with them all of the time to ensure that they are making sound judgements. Unfortunately, too often they are not.

As I've considered all of the information of this course and through personal research, I have come to believe that my now functions soley in the realm of 21st Century learning. That is not to say that I feel all of my assignments meet those standards, but I understand (to a large degree) the skills the kids need to know. I am addicted to technology, and I believe it makes me a better teacher and learner. Though I'm getting older, I enjoy computers, video games, cell phones, ipods, Blu-Ray players, and other gadgets. Each of the gadgets requires a skill to use and understand. Those skills can be applied to real life settings as well. I also feel that it has made me a more logical/analytical thinker. Modern gadgets create modern problems. Sure, you could call the company every time a gadget breaks or something goes wrong, but isn't it more fun to figure it out yourself? And, don't you feel better if you can? And, don't you feel amazing when your friend has the same problem and you're able to fix it? Doing is learning. I want to create lessons that can be a reflections of the way my mind works.