Conclusion: A New Mind-set- Reflection part 1

Ways This Course Has Helped Develop Me as a Professional Teacher

My new found technological knowledge and practices have created a good Web 2.0 operator who no longer is fearful of clicking and maneuvering. With that said, this professional teacher is integrating (could not wait) digital opportunities for her middle school students. This course has given me cause to like my job more. I volunteered this week to attend an all day workshop in May (no teacher credits) to learn a new Homework Hot line service. Unknown to me, the previous service has been cancelled and a new one is taking over. Since I had no training on the 'old' HW Hot line, I want to be there from the get go for the new system. I will train others. What is nice, is that I will know what to look for in this new program. I hope there is a blog opportunity comparable to one like this. Professionally I am developing more connections for teaching opportunities that are still creative, but will integrate cameras, camcorders, and perhaps cell phones in the near future. Right now, my seventh grade classes are almost ready to film their gum commercials! This is a new adventure and it is great to see them all discuss who is going to be the camera operator! Several students are actually doing work at home to prepare!

In What Ways Have You Deepened Your Knowledge of the Teaching and Learning Process?

Understanding what ownership means for my students as an author, editor, creator of
blogs, wikkis, or future videos is what I have learned what will become the most important element for the the 21st century learning process. Giving students the tools to find their own information and create with it is exciting. As an art teacher, I give students the tools to build tangible, creative art. But, these are Digital Natives. They must be allowed to 'show off' their work as editors, collaborators, and publishers. They can build with their gathered knowledge and take ownership. Instead of handing in hard copies to their teachers and knowing the grade ends there, the opposite takes place with technology. They believe because they are publishing their work for the world to see, it is so much more important. Therefore, my students will work harder and put more of themselves into it. I also understand that linking projects with others, be it in the classroom, where skill sharing can take place, or with another school, will allow my students to gain much needed corporate communication skills as well as feeling connected to the world.