I am on Deck and Up for the Challenge!

“If you build it, he will come…” As a baseball fan, one of my favorite movies is Field of Dreams, and this recognizably favorite line of mine seems appropriate as I reflect on the work I have accomplished during this course.  It seems that, at this point, my next step is to lead by example.  The readings I have completed as well as the projects I have created provide the necessary platform for me as I continue my graduate work and my work as an elementary teacher.      

That said, I could not help but think of the connections I have been able to make particularly in relation to my doctoral work.  With the bulk of my research focusing on teacher leadership, specifically the professional learning community (PLC), at this point the technology piece seems glaringly imperative to its success.  One of the things I have learned is that there is more to technology integration that being able to use the equipment.  This is where the concept of the PLC comes into play.

Although sometimes led by a facilitator of sorts, the professional learning community can provide an equal playing field for its members.  The PLC provides an environment for teachers to take charge of their professional development and to try things they may not have done on their own.  When trust between members is built, the PLC provides a safe place for teachers to basically…hit or miss.  The only way to strike out is to give up…something that members who work collegially will never allow. 

In essence, talking about a new website, figuring how to integrate a new tech program, learning how to use a new piece of technological equipment, or using available technology to enhance instruction and increase student achievement should not be done in isolation.  However, a PLC will not instantly appear out of left field.  So, it will be up to me to lead by example…we may not hit one out of the park right off the bat, but whoever said putting technology and teamwork in the same line-up would be easy?

  

Shortening A Laundry List

So, it’s that laundry list of excuses that can get in the way of effectively integrating technology into the classroom. 

Here are just a few:

·      the Internet is always down

·      the students know more about technology than the teachers

·      teachers need more professional development

·      “it’s just for show anyway”

·      there is just not enough time in the day to incorporate technology

·      so many websites are blocked by the district

·      there is not enough money in the budget

·      etc.

I think there are times when educators shy away from using technology due to lack of confidence many times caused by a lack of professional knowledge.  Similar to the saying, “If you think you can’t, you’re right!”…teachers may feel inadequate when it comes to taking those tried, true, and tested ideas, throwing them out the window and coming up with ideas for integrating technology.  Although not explicitly stated by colleagues, it has been my experience that a few of the excuses mentioned above do not describe the whole picture or bring to light a heavily weighted underlying issue  that many educators challenge.  There is continuous questioning of whether technology can increase student learning.  The bigger question to ask is…how can technology increase achievement?   

What I believe needs to be considered are the effective practices of master teachers who taught successfully for years before the onslaught of educational technology.  Sometimes there is no grey area; there is the teacher who uses technology, and the one who doesn’t.  More often than not this can translate to the younger teacher who may be considered a digital native and the veteran teacher who is the digital immigrant.  Does it really need to be so black and white? 

What about teachers collaborating to enhance and increase student achievement via their own expertise?  For example, collaboration between the teacher who can successfully get her students to use an author’s tool such as dialogue during writing instruction and the teacher who is adept with digital storytelling will enhance each other’s instructional strategies and ultimately increase student achievement.  A win-win situation all around! 

So, it seems as though that laundry list can be shortened by the use of professional learning communities.  Teachers coming together to solve problems of practice will start a new ERA while WISKing a new TIDE of collaboration…let us ALL begin!  Get “DOWNy” with it!

  

What if...?

As teachers, we often take advantage of opportunities to infuse technology into our lessons.  It is important to take into consideration whether what we choose and how we choose to use it can enhance student learning.  Let’s consider a “whatif”…What if we used technology to come up with ways to increase teacher learning? 

How about a website designed to serve as a platform for teacher learning that contains resources to promote professional learning communities?  The website seems necessary for a few reasons.  Professional learning communities may appear to some to be one of the latest buzzwords in the field of education.  I happen to view them differently and see them as necessary elements as teachers work to increase student learning.  They may also be a source of increasing effective teaching practices and learning for educators.  For example, the introduction of a district-wide initiative is often viewed as the next great means of increasing student achievement.  However, what often occurs is that teachers do not become adept at one initiative before the next is introduced.   In fact, a PLC can and should serve as the umbrella under which district initiatives fall. 

And, yes…there is a web site for that.  My site, http://riverviewvirtualplc.pbworks.com/, was created using PBworks.  I had intended to use wikispaces, but in considering out how to organize the website, I decided to use what I was familiar with since I knew the best way to manage the resources would be using folders.  Having a good deal of experience using PBworks with my elementary students, I knew the site had this feature.  I did, however, spend a lot of time on wiki spaces trying to figure it out.  (I am open to suggestions for use in the future!)

Incorporating social networking into a professional learning community seems ideal for members who want to collaborate outside of the school environment.  My PLC related web site could be considered a virtual PLC and a form of social networking.  Great benefits will emerge from encouraging teachers to talk to each other and learn from each other.  Sharing expertise is one way of promoting teacher learning, yet so often we are guarded in talking about we do within our classrooms.  The virtual PLC was designed as a place where teachers can find information and resources as well as place for adding and sharing information with colleagues.  A virtual PLC…bringing colleagues together…what a novel idea! 

What a novel idea....

Open Your Classroom Door...

Céad míle fáilte romhat…that’s Irish for “a hundred thousand welcomes to you!”       

           

            Has the increase of technology in our lives made the world a bit smaller?  Have teachers brought themselves out of the traditional isolation of their classrooms and opened their doors to a world of information beyond textbooks?  Without a doubt, educators need to figure ways to use technology for educational purposes as we work to prepare our students for the world in which they will live and work.

            It is important for teachers to think of valuable ways to use technology with students.  The blog is one venue.  I use blogging with my fourth graders as a means of responding to a question or reflecting on a novel we are reading in class.  When I first did this I was happy with the fact that I had figured out one meaningful way to use technology with my elementary students.  However, I was surprised with two things to come out of this task.  Students were working over the weekend, something normally unheard of, and students were putting more effort into their writing since their classmates would be viewing their posts.  From that point on, I have been hooked on thinking of ways to include technology in student learning whenever possible. 

            I use a class wiki as a starting point for all research conducted online in our classroom and for project-based learning activities.  One of the things that makes me extremely nervous about research with elementary students is keeping them safe.  One folder on the wiki is dedicated to safe resources for research.  It includes a safe Google Search Gadget for students.  So, when asked, “Ms. Benedict can I Google…?”, the answer is always yes as long as each student goes through the class wiki.  Feel free to check out our class wiki:  http://rv4benedict.pbworks.com  

            From this online class, to my elementary classroom's wiki, to connections I keep with family, friends, and colleagues via Facebook, there is a world of information…literally…at our fingertips.  While it may be impossible to keep up with changing technology both personally and professionally, this blog will be a way for me to reflect and make connections with others on the varied paths technology takes us in our lives.  Yes, our world has become a bit smaller.  

Sláinte!  That’s Irish for “Cheers!”