As I'm scrambling to keep up with this new computer class of mine, I find my stress levels arising as I try to balance my four kids and just surviving my last week of my leadership class.  As I sat here trying to juggle dinner, readings and laundry, I noticed a calm "cloud" as my children (all four) were on an electronic devise.  My ah-ha moment is that my kids are true "natives" and I am an "immigrant".  Being a true immigrant to the US, I never saw myself as an "immigrant" to my children or my students.  Twelve years ago, I was the new young teacher that brought fresh and innovative teaching methods to the classroom.  Now just taking one week of this class, I'm so glad I'm in this W531 class because I really need to be pushed over the wall to see what is on the other side.

Marc Prensky states that "Technology affects how students live and communicate and when, where, and how they learn." (Solomon & Schrum,2007 p.27)  As a teacher coming back into the classroom, I need to learn new ways to "get their attention" and have new innovative and interactive teaching styles for my 21st century students.  Being a history teacher, I teach the importance in preserving history and it's importance to our future. After all, history is about relationships and how people interact with one another.  Students of today society do the same thing but through different facets. I  want to use technology to teach about "old stuff" and maybe through creating a classroom that allows my students to use their "instant messaging, e-mails, blogs, and social-networking Web sites" they can make history themselves.(Solomon & Schrum,2007 p.30) 

I had another ah-ha moment and that's about students wanting to customize their surroundings.  I've noticed this with my own children but never really put that much thought to it until reading Prensky's article.  "How do we take this customization generation and apply that customization in the classroom?" (Solomon & Schrum,2007 p.33)  Having this revelation about the 21st century learner is frighting for me.  As individuals we like to have our own identity and have a unique personality that draws people in building relationships but what happens when students want to customize their teachers to their learning styles?  It's something that I have to put deep thought into.  How do I help my students customize my classroom to help them become more thoughtful and innovative learners.




This takes place in a classroom where the teacher is explaining a research paper. Two students are texting(I'm not that techie yet couldn't display this action) in class and shows that while the teacher is explaining the paper the students have: researched, written and submitted the paper, planned a party, bought supplies, and communicating with more than one person.

 

 

 

References

Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Students and learning. Web 2.0: new tools, new schools (pp. 25-44). Eugene, Or.: International Society for Technology in Education.

 

 

My name is Fontini Moore. I taught US and World history at North Central High School. I chose to leave the teaching profession to raise a family. While raising my four children, I also worked part time with my husband at our cellular store. I have decided to come back into the education profession but with all the .....LOL, YOLO, OMG....What??? I really need to get computer savvy if I don't want to get left behind. Can't wait for my adventure in this class! This is very out of my confort zone but it will be a fun challenge to explore the many avenues in using technology in the classroom for learners. Can't wait!!