From+My+Heart

**Here are a few words from my heart about what I have learned from this class and making this wiki:**  ** What I learned about myself as a result of doing this wiki and the technology products: ** I learned that I am much smarter than I give myself credit for. When I started school again at metro and saw that I would have to take this course I automatically wanted to get it out of the way first. My thinking was that I am totally technologically illiterate and this class would be very hard for me and that I should allow time to take it again if need be. I discovered that technology does not have to be the enemy. It is not taking over the world, but enhancing it. I learned that technology and I actually get along quite well! ** What I learned about being a teacher from writing my unit: ** This class has shown me how to give basic instructions on what might seem like a daunting task. This is a tool which I hope to implement in my classroom. When something seems too big or overwhelming it helps to break it down into smaller, more manageable steps. I also learned that the best way to expect excellent work from students is to demonstrate what you expect them to do yourself. Not only does it help one prepare the lesson for the students but it helped me to see what problems the students might run into while trying to do the work on their own. ** What I am most proud of as a result of doing my products: ** I am most proud of the fact that I was able to use technology to enhance my lessons but not overshadow what I wanted the students to take from it. Technology is not something to distract the kids from what they are supposed to be learning, but supporting in how they learn the information. I hope that I have shown that history does not have to just be reading and memorizing facts. It can be about telling a story, going on a journey, and learning about who we are today by immersing ourselves in the past. ** What I would do differently next time: ** I would allow more time for myself to plan out what I wanted to do ahead of time. With my work schedule and home life I only have 2 evenings (Friday and Saturday nights) to get the work done for this class. What I would do differently is take a look at the assignment on Sunday and allow myself time to plan out in my head what I wanted to do for that week. This is a lesson that I definitely will apply to my teaching habits in the future. It is never too early to start thinking ahead. ** What I am most concerned about and how I will overcome obstacles with technology, etc. ** I am most worried about Social Studies getting cut from school curriculums. Everywhere today there are schools laying off teachers, and the first to go seem to be in my field of study: Social Studies. I hope that as a new teacher I can show with the use of technology that History can be just as valuable a subject as English and Science. History is one of the rare subjects which are innately interdisciplinary. It involves reading, writing, art, philosophy, and geography to name a few. With technology history teachers can utilize thousands of maps, historical sources, and online tools to present the subject in a whole new way, which is exactly what I plan to do. History is exciting and my goal is to make it once again for a new generation of students. ** Which century will I teach in--the twentieth or twenty-first and what indicators will be present that most epitomize my classroom? ** I am a 21st century teacher! My classroom did not exist 20 years ago. The internet is no longer in its infancy. The world of today is different than yesterday and requires someone who understands that. As a 21st century teacher I plan to utilize technology in my classroom to enhance students learning experience, not overshadow it. Teachers are more important today than ever. With budget cuts and fewer positions available teachers need to be more resourceful than ever. This class has shown me that there are literally thousands of wonderful educational tools just a click away and most are completely free of charge. My class will utilize online historical databases to conduct their research. My students will share their views on historical events on YouTube. My students will help each other study for tests and homework on our class blog. My classroom is not limited to the 4 walls that surround us. A classroom does not disappear when the bell rings at the end of the day. I plan to help my kids feel connected and engaged in what is happening in my class so they can access what we are learning 24/7 through our class website. If a student is sick and misses a day he can get that nights homework online and be prepared to come to school the next day. I am a 21st century teacher and proud of it!