As I move forward, I must look back to see how far I have come.
•In what ways has this course helped you to develop your own technology skills as a professional teacher?
At the start of my Impact of Technology course, I have to admit, I went into it feeling confident in my knowledge of technology and my use of it in my classroom. I quickly realized that I didn’t know as much as I thought I did. During this course, I created a personal blog, collaborated on a wiki space with others from around the country and created my first. To use a crayon analogy, I feel like what I knew before about technology was like the crayon box with only eight colors. After this class, I realize that there is a box out there with 64 colors and I can’t wait to use every one. Learning how to use the various blogs and wikis was beneficial, but my greatest gain has come from the knowledge of the possibility of all that can be done. As a music teacher, I thought my only option for technology was to use a computer programs such a Finale or Music Ace. What I have learned is even a simple Google search can lay countless resources at my students’ fingertips in an instant and I don’t need to have the expensive programs. But more importantly, by gaining a broader view, I have begun to think outside the technology box to find creative ways to reach my students.
•In what ways have you deepened your knowledge of the teaching and learning process?
“Students need to learn, use or develop 21st century skills.” Not only has this course brought this to my attention, but I hear it now nearly everyday in the news. By looking at the skills that are considered to be 21st century, (www.21stcenturyskills.org) I have been able to look at who my students are and how they learn in a different light. As a 21st century teacher, I must prepare my students for their future. The best way I can do that is create a modern classroom environment beyond computers. Collaboration and a global perspective are two areas I feel will have great impact on my music students. I have always felt these were important concepts and have worked diligently to incorporate them into what I teach. But knowing that they are considered 21st century skills gives me that extra kick to develop them in a more focused direction.
•In what ways have you changed your perspective from being teacher-centered to learner-centered?
The biggest change for me in shifting from teacher-centered to student-centered learning has been in the shift of power. For a teacher to admit they are not the expert used to be a sign of weakness. But now the phrase “I don’t know, how can we find out together?” is more a sign of innovative thinking. My job as expert has moved to facilitator. I didn’t think this was really possible in a music class. But as I let go a little bit of that “I am the only expert in the room” mentality, I found a sense of freedom. My expertise in music is essential, but I must also be willing to ask the right questions to guide my students toward the answers, not just spoon-feed them. Not only will they often come up with bigger answers, but their hand in the learning will make it more meaningful and hopefully, more permanent.
•In what ways can you continue to expand your knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology with the aim of increasing student achievement?
First and foremost, my master’s degree courses will continue to offer relevant resources to improve my teaching and classroom strategies. But on a more content specific level, I’m finding that many of the web sites I subscribe to through RSS feeds has given me many ideas. With the resources I have gained from this course, I can more skillfully navigate what may or may not work.
•Set two long-tem goals (within two years) for transforming your classroom environment by which you may have to overcome institutional or systemic obstacles in order to achieve them. How do you plan to accomplish these goals?
Two long-term goals for my classroom would be first to incorporate more technology and second, to develop better time management between content and use of technology. It is my goal to use music notation software as a way to incorporate more technology. I have taken the first steps to reaching this goal by purchasing music notation software for my schools’ mobile computer lab. This will put music technology directly in the hands of an entire class at one time. To date, this program has only been available on one computer. With better access comes finding a balance between preparing music and time to use technology.
The biggest obstacle to using the technology I already have has been feeling like I have to teach every aspect of a program before I can let students use it. As I learn to move from lecture to guiding, I believe the time issue will resolve itself. With a little guidance, students will learn the programs and less time will be spent on learning technology and more time on content. On a personal level, I must simply develop a schedule and stick to it. By giving up a little power and sticking to a plan, I believe I will find the balance I have been looking for.
I am thankful for the insights this course has given me. I look forward to where they can take me and my students.
http://www.21stcenturyskills.org
