Reflective Blog #5

            This class has been a revelation.  I have been teaching high school math for 13 years.  I've continued to try to learn new and better methods to reach this new Net-Generation of kids.  Some of the ideas have been very successful.  But I can see that more is needed.  I needed training.  The technology I have learned in this class, and especially the reflection methods that can be used within the technology, will help my kids be more interested and more successful.  When I started this class, I thought I had a fair understanding of technology.  I thought I was proficient at technology.  I realized that I was lacking.  

The article that Tim O’Reilly really shed light on the emerging ascendant technologies of Web 2.0.   The article really helped bring me more up to speed on today's technology.  I now, know how to chase the information that I need to further my education.  Other articles have helped me to understand more clearly the student of today.  After updating my knowledge base, I feel like I was an anachronism.  However, with wikis, blogs, podcasts, and eportfolios, I have a new set of tools to get my "teacher mind" around.  I love the process of throwing a bunch of new learning into my brain and see what comes out. 

At my school, I have been responsible for creating math curriculum.  I can see how wikis can help our teachers to be connected, and to have a voice.  There are so many applications.  We can create curriculum, share first day documents, plan meetings, and more. 

For my students, I plan to set up all of our students with individual blogs from Blogger.  It has been my experience that Math teachers, including me, do a poor job of getting students to reflect on their work.  Math teachers very seldom get students to write.  I think that most students hate writing about Math more than doing Math, so teachers avoid the conflict.  I know as I had to reflect on my work for ETEC, I realized that I had to know what I was talking about before I could write.  I had to research and understand what I was doing.  My students need to go through the same process.  Blogging will be a great way to bring writing back into the Math curriculum.   I am also excited about wikis for collaborative projects for students.  I haven't decided which one I want to do first but the wheels are turning.  Podcasts will be great to help explain assignments within blogs and wikis.  Podcasts will also be a great way for students and parents alike, to review lessons or explain procedures for students and parents.  We have a large population of Hispanic students.  I can see us making podcasts lessons in Spanish.  We could also make podcasts in ASL for the deaf.  Students could create podcasts!  I can imagine the student interest that would be generated by using web 2.0 technology in the classroom. Nothing replaces the teacher in the classroom but technology can help connect the classroom to students, parents, and the greater community.