This session shifted my perception about something that has been on my mind for years. Now that the "Tomorrow's Schools" review has come out, I am hopeful that some of the issues regarding this initiative can finally be addressed. One of the things that has always frustrated me was the lack of subject area resources to New Zealand teachers, particularly teachers in isolated rural areas. I come from a much larger system in the US, where resource materials are published and purchased for us and where I was contracted and paid to develop resources for my school district as well. I am the only Geography teacher at my school and I started my department from scratch, writing my own resources and borrowing from anyone and anywhere I could. Every other Geography teacher around the New Zealand is doing the same thing. The networks that share some resources are informal--many teachers are reluctant to share because they created these materials--and there are not always funds to purchase the few resources that are available for sale.
I am explaining all of this because the light went on for me today--technology solves this. In the past six sessions I have discovered, borrowed, and modified more learning material than I have been able to develop for myself since I started the BOIC Geo Department. I have always been inspired working with excellent teachers and have had the good fortune to work with extraordinary professionals over the years; now the whole world of excellent teachers is suddenly available to me and I am inspired.
I also am noticing that my beliefs around technology in the classroom have shifted as well. I thought that putting students who learn best collaboratively alone in front of a screen would isolate and alienate them, causing them to withdraw into their own cyber world of music videos and social media sites and not engage in a real world of learning at all. I am finding now that there are unlimited possibilities for my students to engage with their peers in their community and around the globe. Their world is the whole wide world now, and my job is to frame the learning for them so that they can effectively engage and make meaning around what they discover. Visual appeal and variety is my next step. I am just keeping my head above water by adding simple content to my site right now--videos and podcasts???? Watch this space... :)
And finally, it was wonderful to hear feedback today on my class website from course colleagues. I am still quite new at all of this and it was heartening to learn that I seem to be on the right track!
Feedback on my website:
Feedback for Esther on my Geography Website
Kia Ora Esther. Really enjoyed reading your indepth blog. You make some really thoughtful comments and it is great to see how your belief system is changing too. Keep up the great learning!
ReplyDeleteWow Esther, it is so great to hear how beneficial you are finding this PD and how well you are reflecting on the possibilities for your students. I look forward to following your continued progress on this journey.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to see how you are seeing the endless opportunities that technology can bring to your classroom learning and teaching. Great reflection. I did go to have a look at your site, but it requires permission to view. I will be sure to give you some feedback on your site soon!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post Esther and I'm heartened that you can see so much potential for where and how you could utilise technology with your students. Are you on Twitter? There are a lot of educators sharing resources and ideas on twitter and regular asynchronous chats. I'm happy to show you through how it works sometime, here's one feed for starters you might like to check out https://twitter.com/socialstudiestx
ReplyDeleteThanks Kerry! I am on Twitter and connected with Geo folks in NZ and the UK. Baby steps right now! Have seen excellent resources there and am just beginning to understand how it works.
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