Recap

     As teachers we learn how to multi-task.  While correcting papers, you're answering a students question, and while answering a student's question, you are listening in on behavior that is going on across the room, that behavior reminds you that you need to be pulling up the next lesson on the Smartboard, and it just goes on and on and on and on....There is little time (no time really) a teacher is not doing for their students.  Whether it be academic or personal a teacher is always going to be there for their students and always going to have their best interest in mind.  But sometimes as teachers we neglect our own best interests.  For as much as we do for other people it is also to remember that we are just as important to think about.  That is why it is so important to reflect upon what it is that you taught, if it went well, and what do you think the students gained from the lesson, if they gained anything at all?  Reflection is an important aspect and skill that every teacher should take with them.

     Reflecting back on this semester I have hit many highs and some lows.  At the beginning of the year we were told to write a post about what we believe our teaching beliefs are.  I said that some of my beliefs were: classroom environments are most effective when they are welcoming/inviting and student driven, and cross-curricular teaching is a practice of mine.  I still believe that I hold true to these beliefs and they are beliefs that I some day want to incorporate into my classroom.  However, I feel I have a better knowledge about these beliefs now that I have been in a sixth grade classroom for the past twelve weeks.  Practicum has taught me so much and I am so thankful for the experience.  My practicum re-enforced that the classroom needs to be a safe and welcoming environment.  The way my CT treats her students and the respect that she shows them reflects the way that they treat her.  The students may try to push her buttons every once in a while but they know that she will always be there for them.  With this common respect in the classroom so much learning goes on and it is amazing to see how far the students have come in a semester.  Another thing that I learned is how cross-curricular everything is.  Spelling words are used in all subjects, something that we read about in Reading relates to the science experiment that was done yesterday, and creating a cyber bullying poster in Guidance gets the students thinking about how they treat their friends in real life and on the internet.  Everything taught is related back to something that was already taught or will be taught.  It truly is amazing.  

     As an educator it is vital that I take the time to reflect upon my thoughts, ideas, lessons, and actions.  Without reflection how can we learn from our mistakes?  Or better how can we continue what went well and affected students in a positive way?  These blog posts have been a time for me to think back and reflect upon what I value, what kinds of strategies such as Think Alouds and Instructional Conversations can do for my classroom, and how I want to enter the teaching world when I become a full fledged licensed teacher.  There is so much excitement that comes with the future because I am able to reflect upon my past and I have appreciated every moment of it. 

Tech in the Classroom

     Technology is something that is becoming ever so prevalent in our classroom that it is becoming harder and harder to avoid.  Everything from the computer, to an iPad, students having phones by the age of six, Google, apps, new software updates, video games, etc. are being used in the classroom today.  Pencil and paper will soon be a thing of the past and teachers and education will all be "online".  Technology definitely has its upsides but I can't help but be a little skeptical and see the down sides of technology as well.

     The new thing for schools to be is one-to-one.  You may have heard of this before but incase you haven't one-to-one means that for every one child there is a technology device that they have to themselves.  Whether that be an iPad or a computer it doesn't matter, every child is able to get their hands on some kind of device.  This can be a major advantage for students and teachers.  Being one-to-one allows constant communication with the world.  Students are able to get their books online, they can research topics online, they can even create their own world online!  Another positive to being one-to-one is the possibility of schools taking up a turn it in system.  Students will no longer have to have a hard copy of their work but could instead turn it in online and the teacher can view it immediately.  Being connected to the internet gives children a whole new way of thinking about things.  They are constantly plugged into the world and can learn about anything they want.  If they have a question, ask the internet.  For a student to be connected to the internet the world is their oyster.  However, that is not always a positive thing.

     We have been talking about critical literacy in our class this semester and what it entails and how it is performed and accomplished.  Critical literacy involves a conversation and it involves the exchanging of thoughts and ideas and asking higher order thinking questions such as how or why?  Imagine trying to think critically alone with just the internet.  It is pretty difficult to accomplish this task.  Technology needs to be the basis of our instruction but not our entire instruction.  It is vital that we use technology as a tool but it is very important to not over use and abuse the internet that some people may.
     Technology is not going to become a thing of the past but is instead here to stay.  As teachers we need to constantly be learning about new and different kinds of technology so that we can better teach our students.  Technology is a wonderful resource and tool but it needs to be used properly.  Teaching our students how to properly use and not abuse technology is a constant struggle right now so that is why we must always try to stay one step ahead of the game....well at least be on pace.