NETS-T1 Exploration Continued

Disclaimer/Note #1: No fun pictures for perusing today. Sorry to all of my many fans. :)

Today's post will continue the exploration of the NETS-T1 Standard, which is:

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.

While last week's post focused on Indicators C & D, this week's post will focus primarily on Indicator A:

Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness.

I tend to operate under the phrase (some might even call it my mantra): If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

This way of thinking has served me well throughout my 24 years of life, and for the most part, it has saved me time, effort, and money. Additionally, it has generally kept me from having to reinvent the wheel (as Fred talked about in his recent post). That dreaded notion of having to create something from scratch (or even worse, having to REDO something you already created-- AHHH!!) is something that most teachers avoid at all costs. I know that I avoid it! I beg, borrow, steal, and copy from all of the veteran teachers in my department, and I really don't feel one ounce of shame for my actions. It doesn't make me a bad instructor (in my opinion). My rapport with my students, my countless hours spent on curriculum outside of contract time, and my passion for my career-- those are what make me a good instructor.

However, one of my major flaws (in my professional as well as my personal life) is my fear of change. I hate it. I fear it. I dread it. If things are working well for me, if things are going great... Then why change?? What's the point?? These thoughts frequently creep through my mind and keep me from being the best instructor I can be. I know that I'm a good instructor, and on some days, a great instructor. But I'm not the best that I can be.

In order for this to change, I'm going to have to start analyzing the way I approach learning (especially if that's what I expect my students to do). I think that, in general, I promote, support, and model thinking and learning very well. But creative and innovating thinking? Inventiveness?? These are areas of weakness for me. If I'm going to expect my students to OWN these 21st Century Skills I speak about, I'm also going to have to OWN them. I'm going to have incorporate new, inventive, technological ideas into my classroom that might (GASP!) flop. I am going to have to take chances, and I RARELY take chances. (Probability was never my strong point.)

So, with these upcoming projects (for EDT 610), I am going to have to push myself out of my comfort zone and be willing to take a risk. Whether it's a Wiki or a Discussion Board, I'm definitely going to create some sort of forum for open discussion between my students-- and it's going to take place electronically. This sounds quite blase to many people, but this is scary territory for me-- mostly because I'm not sure how I'll assess my students. But taking chances, thinking creatively, and being innovative are what will make me a pioneer in both my building and in my department. And they WILL help me be the best instructor I can be.

Disclaimer/Note #2: I apologize that there are no citations or references in this post. The comments made today are no more than the product of my meandering thoughts. Sometimes, a girl's just got to blog. :)