Reflections on a GREAT class.

I have just finished a master's level class, through Walden University, that I feel was a great learning experience. The class is titled Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society. The instructor is Susan Webber.

In this course, I learned how to use and create podcasts, blogs, and wiki's. Before this class I had heard of all three of those ideas, but had never used or thought about using them personally or for teaching purposes. Now that I have had to use and create them I now have an idea for how to expand my class's idea of Physical Education.

This class has also deepened my knowledge of the teaching and learning process. As a Physical Education teacher, I used to only look at the physical aspect of learning and looking at all children mentally as similar. This class has shown me that today's 21st century learner comes to class with many different ideas and mental processes. That using those ideas I can use technology to reach children on many different levels and make my Physical Education class more than what the children expect when they walk into my classroom.

Throughout my educational life, I always thought that teacher-centered education was the way to teach. I used to believe that it was my job as teacher to have all the answers and to give those answers to my students. Also, that the only way they were going to learn something was if I told it to them. This class as broadened my ideas and thinking. I now know that it is better to be learner-centered. I now understand that today's children come to school with ideas, information and up to date knowledge. Through technology today's children have access to up to the minute information. I also understand that we, as teacher and student, can work together to find answers to questions that we my have as a class. That I don't have to have all the answers just guide them to discover them for themselves.

I plan to increase my knowledge of technology learning by taking part in technology workshops, offered by my county and outside of the educational system. I feel that by using and learning about the new technologies I can bring them to my students. This search of 21st century technology will ensure that my students will be ahead of the technology curve.

As a Physical Education teacher, I want to have a 21st century classroom just like other classrooms in America are striving to achieve. My goal is to be able to come up with more technological projects for my students. I was to use pedometers, along with other devices, and software to have the students understand movement, exercise, and how what they do or do not do everyday matters in the long journey of life. In order to achieve technology in my class, I plan to order what I need in small amounts so that in two years I can have a class set or more of technology materials. I know that my ideas won't have up-to the minute technology in my class, however it is the best I will be able to do.

When this class started, I believed that integrating technology in a classroom just meant using LCD projectors, Laptops, and PowerPoint. Now after completing this course, I understand that integrating technology means learning how to be learner-centered, learning how to be a facilitator instead of a lecturer, and learning that using technology can help a teacher reach so many different learning styles that lecturing can.

Students and Technology

I have created a podcast that discusses students and their feeling and attitudes about technology and its uses in their lives. I hope you enjoy it.

http://www.teachertube.com/music.php?music_id=440&title=Students_and_Technology&ref=Phantom693

Evaluation of the "Partnership for 21st Century Skills" website

This week in class I was asked to examine the web site of an organization called "Partnership for 21st Century Skills". As I examined this site I was intrigued by the organization and its website.

My first reaction to the website was that it was colorful, inviting, and very well laid out for the user. I really like the drop-down feature on the top menu bar. I like that I didn't have to click the tab to see what pages were linked to it. I was also inmpressed with the idea of highlighting videos on the home page to attact attention web programs that they have done.

As I examined the site more I was surprised by a few things.

1. I was surprised that this organization has only been around since 2002.


2. All 50 states are not a part of this organiztion. As of right now there are only 11 states. The state that I work in Maryland is not part of that group.


3. In 2009, this organization was awarded Best website for technology and learning.


4. That so many different organization helped to make this years current board and that the U.S. Department of Education was one of the founding members.

There was not many ideas that I didn't agree with, because I do believe that the 7 strategies that they promote are necessary for children in the future. However, I do question how many computers are in the classrooms of the states that are members? If there are no more computers in the classrooms then before, why should a state join this organization that is backed by computer companies?

After reviewing this website and its organization, I wondered how this organization's work could impact me as an educator and my students. I felt that this organization has given my a blueprint of ideas that I can use to make sure my students are ahead of the technological curve. I believe this organization's information can give my students an advantage over their counterparts in the state of Maryland. I can say this because Maryland is not a member of this organization as a state body.

Please, feel free to check the website out for yourself and post what you think on my blog.

To check the website click the hyperlink below.

www.21stcenturyskills.org

Using Blog in a Physcial Education Classroom

As I think about different ways I can use this blog in my daily classroom activities, I am understanding more that this blog can be a conduit between my classroom and life for my students and their parents outside of my classroom. Here are ways that I can see this blog being used in my Physical Education classroom.

1) The students can receive homework assignments and project information.

2) The students can post new fitness activities that they have found in their communities.

3) With my 5th & 6th grade students, I can have them post and monitor their classmates weekly fitness activity plans.

4) The students can respond to questions from their classmates and parents about health and physical fitness.

5) This blog can be used by parents to assist them with understanding how to improve their children's health and fitness levels.

Physical Education Tech and The Modern Classroom

Into today's education, it is vital to use technology and to be able to teach cross-curricula. I would like to use this blog to help any teacher who is looking for ways to use technology cross-curricula. Please, feel free to respond to any comment you see and add your own new information. Together we can help each other to expand the knowledge of fellow educators and their students.

Do you have any new technology that can be used in the Physical Education Classroom and also in the General Classroom?