NETS-T5 Exploration

Gutentag! Thanks for visiting once again! :)


This week's post involves the NETS-T5 Standard: Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership.

As a second year teacher, I feel that I am constantly participating in professional growth and leadership; it's pretty hard not to when you're one of the youngest. ;) However, I know that the role of technology will make that participation easier and more efficient. I am excited to investigate how technology applications can enhance both my performance and participation in the areas of professional growth and leadership. Onward!!



I have chosen one particular indicator to focus on this week in my blog.


The Indicator: Teachers evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning.


I have decided to break my post up into two sections: Current Research and Professional Practice. I will comment on each area separately. I will also reference the scenarios, situations, and resources I've come across so that others may stay in the loop.


CURRENT RESEARCH:


I currently do not subscribe to NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) Magazine, but I have in the past; it's an excellent resource for middle and high school teachers of English and Language Arts. However, in the spirit of saving money (woo hoo!), I have found it's companion website to be quite helpful: NCTE Website.


I have come across a plethora of resources in the time I've spent investigating this website, and most resources are quite helpful. In fact, NCTE has a feature called Technology Toolkit 2.0, which features lots of resources for implementing technology in the English/Language Arts classroom. However, I came across this digital tool while conducting my research, and I find it to be pure rubbish: Wordle Word Game. Though I like the examples created and believe that this digital tool/website integrates language and technology in a fun and playful way, I do not believe that it contributes to skill-building or an understanding of literature in any way. I could maybe see myself using this as an introductory poetry activity (to show that we can be playful with words) but nothing beyond that.


The NCTE website, however, has often provided wonderful resources for me. One project I implemented both this year and last is the Play List Project. This project involves the students' independent novels and asks the students to compile a play list of 10-12 songs that represent different aspects of their novels (including themes, symbols, memorable quotes, characters, settings, etc.). The students absolutely ADORED this project, as it allowed them to work with a different type of media (music) they wouldn't typically integrate into a Language Arts classroom. The students also enjoyed researching on the internet for different songs, and some students were so inspired that actually created CDs with the play lists they wrote about! :)


Another resource that I have researched extensively is the use of YouTube and TeacherTube in the classroom. Many of the online resources I've researched (including http://www.ncte.org/) say that these sites really enhance a teacher's instruction and help actively engage the students. Most of the research I've conducted shows that these sites benefit Social Studies and science classrooms the most-- because teachers can locate historical and/or biological and physical science videos to supplement their curriculum. Several sources say that these video broadcasting sites do not have much place in the Language Arts classroom, but I disagree. I recently taught a Public Speaking Unit, and I showed a YouTube video to my students. It was entitled "Last Lecture" and featured a Carnegie-Mellon University professor (Randy Pausch) who was dying of cancer. The lecture gave insight to the man's amazing life, and it inspired my students to write passionately and authentically during our unit. To learn more about Randy's amazing story, you can visit Carnegie Mellon University.


So, yes, I truly believe that YouTube and TeacherTube both have their formidable places in the Language Arts classroom-- regardless of what some of the critics may say.


PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE:

As a teacher in Mason City Schools, I have been fortunate enough to see lots of technology in action (both inside and outside of my classroom)!! :)


My department, the Language Arts Department, has recently acquired a few document cameras-- and the teachers love them! They love the document cameras mostly for writing activities, because you can instantaneously display writing (the teacher's or a student's) and begin modeling for the class. I am a true believer in the power of strong modeling, and I think the document camera is an excellent resource for this. I recently got to use the document camera myself at a December department meeting, and it was great for displaying a poetry sample that I wanted to share with the department. It was easy to use, easy to focus, and easy to share with the others. What a great tool! :)


There is a second professional practice that I've experienced first-hand that I'd like to share. Last year, towards the end of the year, I took advantage of EdLine's electronic discussion board. For those who are unfamiliar with EdLine, it is an electronic resource for students, parents, and teachers in which teachers can post grades, assignments, calendars, reminders, and a host of other materials for student access (and student success!). After some prompting by my building-level technology specialist, I decided to be a pioneer in my department and try out the electronic discussion board. We went to the computer lab for a day in Language Arts class, and the students loved it! :)


Disclaimer: Because I had never tried anything like this before, I waited until the very end of the school year (when we were pretty much done covering curricular items). I had the discussion board focus on positive moments and memories from the school year, and I had the students reflect. They enjoyed the opportunity to write freely, openly, and authentically, and it completely took our classroom community dynamic to another level. I definitely think online discussion boards have a positive impact on classroom communities, and I truly believe that they unite both teachers and students.

CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITY

Like Kelly Ashford mentioned in her blog, access to computer labs is quite limited in our building. We also do not have the benefit of having our own laptops at school, nor do the students benefit from carts of laptops or laptops that can be checked out (such as the kind that exist @ Scarlet Oaks and @ a host of private schools in the area). Additionally, our administration has become increasingly sensitive to the amount and content of YouTube videos that are shown in our classrooms, so we have to be especially careful to screen every piece of material that we show.

On the plus side, there are technology opportunities around every corner @ MMS! I know that to utilize my department's document camera, I only need ask a Language Arts teacher in possession of it. I also could make a more concerted effort on my part to book lab time with the technology coordinators in my building. Lastly, I would like to find more applicable video clips (whether on YouTube, TeacherTube, or on DVD) to integrate into my classroom; the students are so much more engaged when a variety of medias are utilized!!

EFFECTIVELY DEMONSTRATES INDICATOR

I will continue to evaluate the research I encounter (on technology applications and digital tools), and I will continue to evaluate the professional practice I encounter of these same technologies (both my own professional practice and the practice of others). I would like participate in more global communities and give feedback on sites such as NCTE so that others (outside of the readers of this blog) can hear my thoughts and views. Lastly, I would like read from professional subscriptions (not just online, but in print as well) more often-- both on the topics of technology and Language Arts. I believe that reading these published materials will only enhance my current and future instruction.