blog@geibtechforlearning

As I begin my summer classes and in fact actually begin my in depth learning of technology in education, I begin to reflect on the goals I have for my own education. What is it that I want from my technology classes? What is it that I actually want to learn and what skills do I hope to gain? A glance over the syllabus reminds me of how much I really do not know about the technologies out there. These technologies that seem to come so naturally for my students are things that I will have to work on to master. Those technologies that my own children seem to pick up at the drop of a hat are the very things that seem foreign to me. It is this feeling of ignorance and “becoming like my parents” that push me to improve my own understanding of the technologies out there. For these reasons, I have brainstormed goals for technological learning in EDUC 515 and the utilization of these skills in my classroom in the future.
First, my goals! There are so many technologies that are new to me. Blogs, wikis, nings, and podcasts are just a few. The first thing I hope to gain from this class is a working knowledge of what these things are. How do I create my own blog? How would I use this in my class? Is it a good thing for students to learn? How do I ease my the parents fears about the world wide web? And exactly how are blogs different from chat rooms? Chat rooms are extremely scary for parents so how can I assure them that their students will be safe under my technological guidance? And what are wikis and how the heck do they relate to learning? How can I create a classroom wiki and have parents and students interact for increased learning? What about podcasts? Is this something I need to know about? Is it something I would ever use? And finally, nings. I have heard from my own high schooler that his friends prefer to “meet” on a ning rather than facebook. Why? There seem to be so many questions and only six weeks of summer school. Can I really learn enough in that time?
I have stated just a few of the technologies that are new to me or that I do not fully understand. Actually, many of them are not even new; I am just not familiar with them. I actually feel that because I am “slightly” older than most of the students in this class, I may be starting from a different technological point than they are. My goals are probably more personal. I want to stay on the cutting edge of technology and I already see myself falling behind. I think if I can form an understanding of things like nings, wikis, blogs and podcasts, I will be able to keep my skills up to date and by default, my brain up to date as well. It is a humiliating thing to have to ask your middle schooler for help with your homework, but that is in fact what is happening. My own children are developing a better working knowledge of the technologies that are out there and that just makes me feel old. So an additional personal goal for this summer is to update my technological brain and thereby keep my synapses young!
I am also curious. How can you take these technologies that perhaps seem unrelated to education and integrate them into the classroom? I feel fairly comfortable with power points and have often used this technology in my teaching, but I have only a small understanding of why I would want to use a wiki or a blog. As I begin playing with these technologies, I can already see how a blog may lead to lively discussion among my students. It may be a fun way to get them to write for pages. A wiki may also provide a quick way for parents and students to have a quick view of assignments and perhaps even a paperless, and therefore green, way for students to turn in assignments. So as I gain understanding of how to apply these technologies, I should also set yet another goal for myself. I need to figure out how and why I would integrate the technologies that I am gaining a working understanding of into the classroom.
I think as I gain a better understanding of what exactly the technologies are that are out there, I will be in a better situation to know how to use them in the classroom. Currently, I could see using blogs, power points, wikis and of course email in my everyday classroom. I can also see email being replaced with a ning, although, since I really do not have any idea what a ning is, I may be way off in that assumption. I think as I gain more and more understanding of what the technologies are that out there, I will be better equip to learn how to properly integrate them into my classroom. Ideally, I would incorporate as much technology as possible into my class and teach my class, as opposed to them teaching me, how to properly use these technologies to increase their learning.
Technology is something that seems to be here to stay. It can only benefit the teachers of today to learn about, understand and incorporate this technology into their classrooms. Students today seem to be able to pick up technological things very quickly. It seems to be something that they just understand easily. I actually wonder if technology is actually a new learning style. If that is the case, then it is a style that should be acknowledged and used for learning and assessment. Many of the students of today have an innate understanding of how things, like computers, work. It can only benefit the teacher to know what it is her students are talking about. I think technology provides another way for teachers to tap into their students brains and make learning more accessible for even more students. I think learning can be done without technology, but I think it can only be enhanced and made more assessable with technology. It is up to the teacher to stay up to date on the things her students have a working knowledge of. After all, it is us who is supposed to be teaching them.
I think staying current on technology can only help us as teachers. Not only will we be more efficient and knowledgeable teachers, we will also have a greater understanding of the world of our students. Think of the technological implications. We can teach our students to video conference with students in China. With translating software, language may no longer be an issue. How cool would that be? Students may also have instant access to the most current knowledge out there. Google opens up a whole new way to do research. And look at the apple itouch phones. I really believe that apple is going the way of a personal computer that is the size of a phone. I could see schools set up with docks for these phones to plug into. Personal computers will be integrated into our phones and taken everywhere. Students will just dock their computers and continue learning. I really think these types of technologies are approaching fast. If teachers do not stay current, then it is possible they could become obsolete. Although I do not think that teachers will ever be replaced by computer, I do believe that they will serve more as a guide rather than as a lecture/quiz teacher, but I believe that is also just good teaching and teachers should try to teach this way anyway. Think about reaching different learning styles. For even as technology changes, students will always have different learning styles and technology will not change that. It would be disadvantageous if students only learned through computer. While some may do just fine, not all students will learn well that way. It still will take a teacher to guide the students and help them learn providing opportunities in the style that they learn best in.
Technology is changing though, and that is why I chose to get my masters in digital technology in education. I want to be that teacher that is up to date and ready to pull in all the possibilities that technology has to offer her class. Good teachers stay up to date on the newest breakthroughs in science, math and health. I just makes sense that they also stay current in the latest breakthroughs in technology. My goals for this class and my masters are to begin the journey of acquiring the tools to be at the top of the technological curve and provide my students with the best teaching possible. This teaching should include the utilization of hands on learning which incorporates all the learning styles, including technology.

Sorry, I should have previewed this first. I wrote too much....I apologize. Also, my formatting did not come through so none of my paragraphs indented...I'm still learning.

I can’t believe that summer is in full swing. It is almost July and I have not completed any of my summer goals. I have compiled multiple lists pertaining to goals. The first addresses the items I would like to accomplish in this course, another focuses on personal summer goal, the third includes long-term professional goals, and the last is long-term personal goals.
I would classify my technology skills as mediocre at best. I can create basic PowerPoint presentation, text my friends, navigate the Internet, and perform other basic tasks. My goal for this course is to expand my knowledge of technology. I am about to begin my first year teaching and I would like to enter my classroom armed with tools to help my students connect to the information using technology. My goal this term is to learn how to merge technology with the curriculum and add a new dimension to education.
My second list addresses my personal summer goals. I would like to get a backpacking trip in before school starts in August. I have been working on a quilt for almost a year. It is about time that I finish it up. I am still waiting for my credential to become official. My goal is to put some pressure on APU to make that happen! My last and most important goal is to start lesson planning so I am prepared when school starts.
As a professional educator, my ultimate goal is to work at the district level in curriculum development. At this level I could use my knowledge of technology and its impact on education to encourage digital learning at the district level. I think education would be more effective students were presented the material digitally through out their education. Currently, teachers use technology to different degrees. My goal is to make digital learning a standard throughout the district.
My last list addresses personal long-term goals. My goal is to be the best wife and mother I can be. That will mean finding a balance between my professional life and my personal life. Finding the balance is a life long goal I will work towards.

Tracie actually told me about this Masters Program. Due to my interest in technology, I was initially interested, but not sold. While taking methods for teaching specific subject credential courses, we continuously discussed ways we, as teachers could incorporate technology in the classroom (though never discussed blogs, wikis or podcasts). We also considered future possibilities because of the impact of new technologies in classrooms. Would all textbooks vanish? Would students have miniature laptops or iphones with all of the information immediately at their fingertips? Instantly technology use in the classroom intrigued me and led to me filing a change of program form. So, here I am, with numerous goals that are both personal and professional!
Goals I have set for myself to accomplish within the completion of this course are taking all of the information in, applying my new knowledge and sharing everything I have learned with others. Specific technologies that I would like to master include, creating blogs, wikis and podcasts (I’ve actually been recorded for a podcast for the cheer company I work for but I do not know anything about setting it up). I am excited to learn how to create a podcast that will assist in my student’s learning regardless if they are in the classroom or at home. A fun and inventive group project would be to have students create their own podcasts and post them on the classroom blog. Blogs offer another form of discussion or homework assignment for students. In just brainstorming my goals I am eager to get into my own classroom and implement these new assisted learning technologies. Incorporating all of these technologies will allow me to engage and maintain student interest in a new way, without requiring them to use a pencil and paper. Does Howard Gardner have a blog? I believe all teachers need to be aware of the new learning intelligence. Depending on the age, students will build on their prior knowledge with this technology. This is something they are familiar with in their personal lives and currently unfamiliar with in the classroom.
I’d like to be more informed and a constant learner of the newest and latest technology as well. The more information I possess, the more I can share. I’d like to share my knowledge not only with my students but also with the school’s administration and other faculty members. Then they will have the option of introducing this use of technology into their classrooms, which will also benefit those students. In addition, I would like to share my knowledge with their parents. If I have a clear and concise blog set up for student discussion it will also be simple for parents to access. Informing my parents will also ensure them of the safety of the site and their student’s identity. If they have this comfort level they will allow their children to explore this technology. In trying to learn about all of the latest technology, another personal and professional goal of mine is to find out what nings are. What is their purpose? Can we incorporate this in the classroom as well?
I realize that the students are advancing in technology quickly. My nieces and my nephews and I are have had conversations about uploading photos and changing fonts on their blogs from social networks. During my student teaching experience our kindergarteners (a majority had never seen a computer before) were playing educational learning games, knew their sign-on pin and after a few times no longer needed teacher assistance. I cannot wait to see what the future holds! I think it would be great if each student could have a laptop at his/her desk. One final thought which is not a goal but rather a reminder of what I do not want to end up like: A few years ago I subbed in a classroom. The teacher left specific sub plans and was very organized. One of the classes had to watch a film that was set up using the projector and such. This teacher’s notes read: watch film, ask ________ to set it up, he knows the technology set up, I don’t.

The end of the school year is always such a busy time with testing, report cards, wrapping up the year with final lessons, graduations and closing down the classroom. Once I recover from the flurry of activity, I like to reflect on the year and begin setting goals for the summer and for the following school year. This is one of the perks to being a teacher. I get to start fresh each year after a summer full of time to evaluate the previous year, what worked, what didn’t, decide what I want to do differently in the fall, and learn something new to add variety to my teaching tool box.
This summer I am enrolled in two master’s classes: EDUC 515 and EDL 595. In this class I am looking forward to gaining in understanding how to apply technology more effectively in my classroom. Even though I am becoming more proficient in the use of various technological tools, I still feel those nervous butterflies when I begin a new learning process. I suppose that is because I am in the role of learner, not teacher, something with which many veteran teachers often struggle.
In my EDL 595 class, which is an independent study class, I will be learning about legislation that has impacted the field of education, the collective bargaining process, teacher evaluations, etc. For those more interested in the technology aspect of this program the admin topics may seem somewhat dry. I find them interesting.
On a personal level, my children, ages 19 and 25, recently moved out of our home for the first time. I mention that it is the first time because many “veteran parents” have told me that they will probably be back! Regardless, this has taken some getting used to, along with turning 45 a week ago! How time marches on! My husband and I are enjoying a new honeymoon, becoming a couple again rather than focusing on our parenting roles. We are taking mini vacations, going out to eat, visiting farmer’s markets, muscle car shows, and just hanging out. Fun, but different.
I have read a few books so far this summer, and I have 3 or 4 that I am reading now. I have this weird habit of reading several books at once…I think it is some version of ADD… who knows? Photography and art are my other loves. I take photographs of various subjects, lately doors, windows, old chairs, anything with texture, and I paint with watercolor, oil or acrylic whatever I especially am fond of from my photos. I will be taking an art and writing class for a week in July. It is a “spiritual journey” including journaling and creating. I can’t wait. These are the things that energize and renew me.
I also would like to spend some time this summer rethinking my writing lessons before school starts. It seems very piece-meal. I want a more logical yet creative approach that integrates art and social studies with language arts, and of course uses technology wherever possible and appropriate.
I have plenty of time to think about all of these goals as I walk down at the beach with friends three times a week, my effort at becoming more fit, balanced and in shape for another half-marathon.

My professional goals in EDUC 515 are to learn how to create blogs and podcast so I could use them for instruction and communication with parents for when I become a teacher. I am ready and excited to learn this new technology because I'm sure it's going to come in handy when I become a teacher. It is so interesting how they keep coming up with new technology that we never thought we would use. The more I am aware about this new technology the more I want to learn and be up to date and expand my knowledge in this area. By the time I get my teaching credential, the blogs and podcast are probably going to be common in the schools already. Therefore, I am going to prepare myself as much as I can so I could be ready.
My personals goals for this summer are to spend as much time as I can with my family and do fun things together. To begin with, my family and I went to the movies to go see “The Night at the Museum” part two. I though it was a funny movie. Then last week was my daughter’s birthday and she had told me she wanted to go to Disneyland, so we went. We were there for twelve hours getting on in as many rides as we could and doing everything possible, we had so much fun even though it was so hot. Then the following day we went to go see “Transformers” part two. We thought the action was good except for some scenes and many bad words.
My other personal goals I haven’t accomplish yet is to buy fireworks for my kids and go light them up outside of my mom’s house in Fillmore, since that’s the only town it’s legal to light fireworks. Then I am going to organize a birthday party for my daughter’s fourth birthday because I have not done a birthday party for her. After that, I want to take my kids to the Discovery Science Center so they could get on the magic school bus. My husband and I are planning to take them to the park, have a picnic and the kids could play in the playground, with the Frisbee, baseball or play catch. We also have plans of going fishing and I think that is going to be a lot of fun. Good thing I have all summer to do all the things I want to do with my family and I am going to try to do them all.

When it comes to technology, I'm not at the level I would like to be. I can perform simple tasks on PowerPoint and I can do quite well with Microsoft Word. The internet is where I am a bit more comfortable. However, adding graphics and making digital diddlybops is what I am extremely weak with.

My goal for these classes I am taking for the Masters program is to become more aware with how technology works. I want to be at the level that my students are with technology. There is so much to learn in this field that I would be able to teach them. Integrating technology in the classroom will be an extreme advantage for me and that is a goal that I want to accomplish in the long-run.

There are also a few personal goals that I want to achieve during this summer. I want to re-read the Harry Potter series before the next movie comes out (I am currently on book four). I also want to finish the sweater I am knitting for my mom. One other thing I want to accomplish is finishing the novel that I've started.

Hopefully, this summer will grant me the time to achieving my goals. I also hope that these classes will help me to get closer to realizing my career goals.