Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Connected Learners

I feel that I am fairly connected. I have many tools I need to learn (and teach) connectively: the internet, blogs, SmartBoard, a personal i-pod... but I know that I still have lots to learn! There were a few terms like "wiki" and "podcast" from the video that I am unfamiliar with. I am looking forward to utilizing the tools I have, and some I don't, to grow in my own learning and become more connected.

I am definitely a "both" when it comes to teaching and learning in the 21st Century. Regardless of what you already know, it seems like there is always something new and interesting out there. You have to be willing to look for it, learn about it, talk about it, and work with it so you can teach it. Then, do it again and add too or build upon what you already have in your 21st Century "toolbox".

I support my 21st Century students by teaching them how to use laptops and play math games on the internet. Both my students and I utilize my SmartBoard for most lessons. I definitely see their attention spans last longer when I use a discoveryeducation video to support the target we are learning. My hope is that I will be able to continue supporting my 21st Century students in new ways using the tools we currently have, and also introducing new 21st Century tools to them so they can get "connected"!