Welcome to my first ever blog
post! I have started my own blog in regards to an education course I am taking
entitled “Digital Technology for Learning”. One of our requirements is to blog
each week about different experiences and thoughts on technology in our
classrooms today. In a reading that our professor recommended, George Couros
(http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/2350) argues that a good blog provides a
place where teachers can create a learning community where they can share
information with fellow colleagues. He has convinced me enough to give it a
shot. I hope that by the end of this course I become a real “blogger” and learn
how to use blogs as a great resource for the future!
A bit about me…
My name is Carly Voortman and I am in my 5th (and final!)
year of the Concurrent Education program at Redeemer University College getting
my Junior/Intermediate degree. My major is in Physical Education, with a minor
in Geography. I hope to become a high school teacher as I loved my previous
placement in that division.
My educational interests…
·
Project Based
Learning—I had my first experience of this in my last placement which intrigues
me to look into it deeper.
·
Assessment—the new ministry
document “Growing for Success” has me thinking to myself: learning for, of, and
as…How will I enable this in my future classroom?
·
Technology: What is
the best use for our classrooms? Is there such thing as too much technology?
Not enough? Are their ways I can integrate technology into my phys. Ed classrooms?
Why this course…
I chose to take this course to
increase my knowledge on beneficial ways to use technology in the classroom. I
want to become aware and more confident in different uses of technology so that
I can enable my students with great learning experiences!
Technology in Education?
In our world, technology is
growing and has become a part of everyday life (especially students!). Why not
figure out ways that we can engage, interact, and excite students about new
learning opportunities through technology.
Through twitter I found an
article on daily edventures, a website that looks at global heroes in
education. This particular grade three teacher, Sarah Collins, created a
fundraiser with her students called “Cans for the P.L.A.N (Proceeds for
Learning and New Technology) ” where they benefited the community by cleaning
up and recycling in the town to raise funds for new technology in their
classroom. Collins states that “innovative education is purposeful, designed,
and reflective”. She goes into depth in how technology has been an effective
way to engage students in learning. Check out the link for more information on
this class project. (http://dailyedventures.com/index.php/2013/01/14/sarah/?cid=dlvr.it)
That's all for now!
Some great ideas and perhaps more importantly - great questions. As Couros mentions, the idea of a professional network is so important. Social media sites do provide us with an opportunity. Some educators are very dedicated to their networks and some approach it more causally.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the resource and it is good to see you using your network to find such things!
Thanks for your insight. Reading your blog, I was reminded (and struck also) that through technology today we have the ability to initiate conversations in education. Through our blogs or simply through a hashtag in twitter, we can be leaders in bringing people together to deepen our understanding of any topic.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your desire to deepen your understanding of PBL, assessment, and technology.
I challenge you to start the conversations.
Hey Carly,
ReplyDeleteBest wishes on the blog! I love the idea and I hope it goes really well for you.