Blog

Recently, for a class I was asked to develop my personal philosophy on blogging. This is something that I know I have opinion about, but not something that I've ever needed to articulate; however, I feel that, as an educator, it is time I stop and take the time to verbalize my view of the issue. Before I can firmly state my philosophy, it is important for me to 'voice' some things that are floating around in my head.

I have had the priveledge of having an IWB in my classroom going on 4 years now. Though I am not even close to as computer literate on social aspects of the Internet as most of my friends, I feel like I do a pretty decent job incorporating it into my classroom. In my limited experience, technology has been an 'add-on' in most classrooms. Its there, use it when you can, but we're not going to be focusing our time on it. I know that this is likely due to the demand that we have in our state on the TAKS test, the results, and the ensueing consequences (good and bad).

Today in a blog (http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/digital-inclusion/) a reader asked if thinking needs to shift from how can technology support education to how can education support technology. I think that this is an important consideration that we all need to take into consideration. No matter the age of the individual reading this, every life in the world today has been affected by the Internet in varying degrees- both good and bad. Whether some want to accept it or not, technology is going to one of the most significant factors in the careers that our students are going to have. If we do not take the opportunity now to teach them to be learners and effective seekers and evaluators of information, then we are going to be doing them a great disservice.

Do I know, 100%, how I'm going to use blogs, wikis, etc. in my classroom? Definitely not. Do I understand what they are and how I can use them in the classroom? Yes:) I think the key to technology integration is for educators to first take the time to learn about new technologies and play with it. We need to be more like our students. Rarely do my kiddos get frustrated with how to use technology (though I sure do!). Instead, they play with it, see what they can do with it. Now that I have had the opportunity to play with these tools, I feel that I will be able to more successfully use them with my students. Am I going to get it right the first time, absolutely not! But as long as I know where I'm wanting to go with it, then I know that we will find our way. I will be better meeting the needs of my students, and having some fun with it at the same time (hopefully).