Reflective Blog Positing # 2

An organization I found to be important to me is ATMI.  ATMI is the Association for Technology in Music Instruction formed in 1975.  It currently has around 200 members from the USA and a few members from other countries as well.  ATMI’s website address is here. I selected it because I personally am a lover of music and believe that students who understand music and read music have an easier time learning mathematics.  I also believe that music is an incredible stress reliever and if student’s are able to study music and use emerging technologies to do so they will be able to focus better in other classes.  According to ATMI’s website, the mission of ATMI “is to improve music teaching and learning through the integration of current and emerging technologies into the music learning environment.”  ATMI is dedicated to sharing information and solutions for people interested in music technology in instruction. 

       I also found an organization called ISTE.  ISTE is the International Society for Technology in Education.  More information can be found here.  I chose this organization because I believe it would benefit me as a future US teacher to connect with teachers in foreign countries so that I will learn teaching methods that I may not be taught in the US.  The mission of ISTE, according to it’s website is to “advance excellence in learning and teaching through innovative and effective uses of technology.”  The purpose of ISTE “is to maintain a various membership of world wide educators and professionals.  ISTE allows members to connect, collaborate and share ideas.”

My definition of educational technology is aiding students in the utilization of technological processes so they may improve learning performance and better understand real world application of the material being taught in a classroom setting. 

This aligns with my philosophy in that one of the foremost lessons I want to relay to my future students is that what they are being taught in my classroom applies to the real world and will improve or make easier their future careers and adult life.  If I am able to facilitate their learning with applications such as web based learning, use of computer, blogging etc. and they in turn use those applications in their career/adult life, I will have given them a real world advantage.

Class Expectations

      My expectation for this class is to get beyond my comfort zone and learn more about ever evolving technology which I will be able to introduce to future students.  Believe me, I have already moved beyond my comfort zone!  After being out of school for 9 years (whew – I feel old) I had a lot to learn just maneuvering around My Leo, not to mention creating a blog in the first week.  I’m actually glad it is completed because I have wanted to start a blog for a while now.  I’m looking forward to learning more and getting to know my classmates as well.

Creating a Culture for Teaching and Learning Reflection

      While reading Creating a Culture for Teaching and Learning, what stood out most to me was the use of a video in the class room that can be viewed online.  I think this is a fantastic idea.  It not only will keep teachers on their toes, it will allow parents to become more involved in their child’s school.  It might also help resolved issues of student misbehavior because a parent need only view the video at time the student misbehaved to see what truly happened in the classroom.

Stephen Downes' Article Reflection

      There are unlimited uses for blogging…. From diaries to mothers teaching ways they have learned to help their child’s learning disabilities to blogging on hobbies and travel. I don’t think we have met the full potential for blogging because there is a type of censorship for students of schools and employees of certain companies who do not want staff to blog about their work environment. Also employers may not want to their name connected to an employee who is involved in or interested in something the company does not agree with or condone.

How My Educational Technology Philosophy will Help Identify future Technology Projects

       I am the type of person that wants, no NEEDS, to see my thoughts written down on paper.  Until they are written down my thoughts are like spaghetti wrapped around my brain (just ask my husband).  Having my Educational Technology Philosophy written down gives me an outline and helps me stay focused on the reason and purpose behind becoming a teacher and what type of teacher I want to be.  It will help me identify technology projects that correlate with my goals as a future teacher.  

My Educational Technology Philosophy

       Nine years after graduating with my bachelors in business I am going back to school to complete a dream I had as a young child.  I have worked in the corporate world now for 12 years  and have come to realize I simply must have a job that is rewarding.  I remember the teachers in my life that made a considerable impact.  Ms. Allen who helped a terribly shy young teenager find her voice.  Ms. Jones, who though was an extremely tough teacher, taught me more about English in one 7^th grade year than I probably learned the rest of my middle and high school years.  My educational technology philosophy is as follows.

The purpose of education is to further the human experience and to help future generations have an easier more intelligent life.   The role of the learner in education is to experience growth and to expand their knowledge in many areas.  The role of the teacher is to lead, guide and shape minds – to encourage and to motivate.  My objective as a teacher will be to stretch the student and to help students identify with real world uses of the information they are taught. 

My approach to education is based on two theories: pragmatism and realism.  I believe that if a student can understand the real world use of what they are being taught and the practical uses of the information they will be more likely to be interested in learning the material.  I also feel that teaching with more general education as opposed to narrow specialization allows a student to experience a wider spectrum and thus allows them to have varied experiences.  These varied experiences will help them grow as an individual and see what they enjoy learning about the most which will help them better choose an occupation.

            An expectation I have of myself as a future teacher is not to become jaded with the thrill of teaching young minds.  I know that is easy to say as a first year alternative teaching student.  However, I am only interested in doing work that is rewarding.  To me there is nothing more rewarding than knowing I have helped a young person learn a principal that will help them live a more successful life.  In turn, I will expect respect from my students and a willingness to learn. 

   In conclusion, the role of a teacher is an incredible one that can open or close the minds of his/her student’s.  By the use of two theories – pragmatism and realism, I plan to guide my future students and teach them real world applications of the lessons taught.  By doing this, the students will have a chance at a more successful future and an understanding of the way the world and careers work.