Establishing Goals

Seeking Support

Prior to my October 5th appointment, I needed to set out and ask some questions regarding technology and pedagogy:
1. What am I trying to do with the technology in my class?
2. What is meant by using technology in the classroom?
3. How do I shift my thinking to be more tech oriented...but really tech-pedagogy oriented?
4. Where can I find really useful sites to help me link technology and learning?
5. How am I going to manage all of this?

So...off I went to see Kelly P. The best thing she mentioned to me was the "Golden Triad" of technology integration: Creativity, Collaboration, and Communication.
I loved this. It seemed like common sense and things I already cared about in the classroom as a learner myself and for my students. Now, again, the integration question. I really needed to see some example to make sure I have the concept of linking the learning and purpose for tech--so I am not just doing another gadgety thing. Here is what KP suggested:

Some possible concepts examples: (Communication 1&2)

1) Critical readers -- understanding writing online?; deciphering audience; understanding types of writing from what you read. what happens when print text is converted to online text?

2) Critical writers-- writing for different audience; different medium-- same topic -- different audience?

3) Collaborators-- writing as a collaborative group-- the right way?? Wiki's? Blogs"

4) Editing- 

5) an Investigation-- how is technology changing the role of English Language classrooms-- how do standards of technology apply? (this is a graduate level work but could be done if guided well) writing their own standards for 10th grade student, etc. 

I was not really sure how I felt about these. What helped was also reading the ISTE.NETS Standards. I particularly liked the idea of standard #1 because of the creativity component.

From this, I combined the ISTE #1 standard with KP's suggestions and came up with my goal. 

Goal Setting

Prior to my goal setting meeting, I was charged with the task of choosing a SMART goal for my professional development this year. I knew I wanted the focus to be related to technology, but I was not really sure exactly what I wanted to get out of it. Up to this point, I have always been open to new programs or applications--such as Prezi, Moodle, Dyknow...However, I (felt) feel like it is just more "stuff" to do rather than it enhancing learning or guiding me to be a higher performing teacher.

So, I challenged myself last year to join our technology team in the planning stages of introducing a 1:1 classroom environment. I read the assigned readings and "how to" course book looking for ideas and methods of how to use technology in the classroom. However, the message that kept coming up over and over again was that our school needed more support in the IT area--nothing was about teacher implementation regarding pedagogy. Where was the teacher in all of this? Where was I in all of this?

I will be the first to admit that I hate technology in the ways of stores, cables, gadgets and hardware; I will always leave that up to the IT department. I am also not willing to be beholden to technology: I do not need to live by my phone, Facebook page (more on that later), or my i-whatever. I also do not have any interest in searching the Web just to search and find new things unless I have a specific purpose. And...I am a people-person. I value authenticity and face-to-face time.The conundrum then is why am I so interested in technology in education?

For starters, I like how it challenges me and makes me think.
     I see the duality in it--creative space in which to learn--or--a passive experience
           I have to admit that I am wowed easily by what students are capable of
                It impacts attitudes toward learning
                      It keeps advancing ideas
                           Streamlines responsibilities
                                Empowerment (at least when the internet is not down)
I will then commit to this goal of using technology in the classroom because of the reasons why I like it--not why I don't.