21st Century Teacher

To What Far Shores Do Our Eyes Fall...

2011-04-25T11:48:00.003-05:00

Look at what life does sometimes...pulls us from some shores and pushes us into others we cannot have anticipated would find us moored there. When I began this blog, I was in my own classroom and working with my own students and my own experiments in technology and learning. Since then, I have moved to the position of Literacy Coach with my school district and been working in ELAR, Math, Science, and History classrooms. If anyone thought that all of the content matter learning in college wouldn't come in handy after specializing in our chosen fields, they were WRONG! I am about to complete my second year as a Literacy Coach, and "Boy, are my arms tired!" (Ok, so if you're not laughing, I will explain.) By that I mean, I have been so busy and moving so much to be in so many places that I feel like I should have the ability to fly! People used to ask me, "So what is your favorite part of what you do?" Aside from the obvious of working with students and seeing their little lights go on, it's that every single day is different. I am not someone who can find happiness and fulfillment leading the same life every day. I enjoy moving variables; I long for new adventures in everything I do. I am not afraid of my world being different every time I walk into a classroom; I hope for it!

This is NOT to say that consistency isn't a very important part of what I do. To the contrary, it enables me to enjoy the unpredictable! Consistent expectations, consistent outcomes for basic choices, consistent reliability and openness...all of these things have made me successful as a teacher, a mother, and wife. Knowing that there are certain core variables that I, my family, and my students can count on armor us to be able to seek out the unexpected and the unfamiliar together. Adventure becomes part of the plan, not something that happens by accident.

Technology flourishes under this same construct. The boundaries are malleable and negotiable once we agree on the core consistencies of ethics and purposes for them. Through the acceptance that we will approach each new "thing" with an openness and analytical nature, we can adventure through what new technologies may arise. Like most anything in our lives, we can decide if each one is something that will enhance our lives or diminish our quality if life (and therefore, avoid those).

I have been told that I will be able to remain a Literacy Coach for the next school year. I know that there are new adventures and possibilities in the new venue and shiny new opportunities. I have learned so much in the last two years about classrooms, students, teachers, technology, and myself. I will recommit to writing those things down here...the rewards and challenges of being a "21st Century Teacher".

Citius, Altius, Fortius!

V :)

All Signs Now Point To Go...

2008-07-17T17:08:00.003-05:00

We have success! The mic works now and Audacity and the mic see each other! I confirmed with playback and now all I have to do is post the podcast...Thank you to all who offered to help! Persistence can be a wonderful thing...

On to the uploading phase of this little odyssey...

V : )

Technical Update

2008-07-17T15:41:00.002-05:00

I am working on the mic issue (two other mics haven't worked, but I am still working on the problem. Audio on the computer is fine when I play something; Audacity runs, but doesn't hear the mic. I am going to WIN this, and catch up by Sunday!)

Just wanted to give you the update.

Bleh.

V : )

PODCasting Issues

2008-07-10T13:54:00.002-05:00

I am attempting to record my podcast and get it uploaded today. I have been having issues trying to get the recording to work (audacity loaded just fine) on my laptop and my desktop. I have one other desktop to try today. Thanks for being patient with our technical issues.

Victoria

NPR PODCasting

2008-07-09T23:59:00.001-05:00

Just added NPR's pop culture podcast to my RSS feed...clips from All Things Considered and Fresh Aire are included, which is great for me, as sometimes I miss those shows due to meetings, etc...

V

Report Cards: Update

2008-07-09T23:31:00.001-05:00

Soooo, in talking with my husband tonight (who is also a teacher), he said that they have the ability to send the report cards to their parents' emails when they validate/export their grades for the report cards! He said that they've been doing this for the past two years? Why can't we??? Why???

V

PODCasting: My Definition

2008-07-09T23:01:00.003-05:00

WOW! How can I explain how much I love this idea??? I used to fantasize about a way to teach online, even having "chat tutorials" where I would open an online chat time during certain hours. The students could ask their questions in an open window and I would respond to each of them before the chat tutorial time was closed. This was especially helpful during short turn-around assignments where they had something at stake but couldn't attend a traditional tutorial due to athletics, arts, or family committments. Parents really liked it because they could 'chat' with me as well, asking for more explanation of a topic or concept so that they could continue helping their student as we spoke online. This also kept me from having to give my personal phone number out while making me available during a controlled time. I see podcasts as having the ability to allow me to teach, be put on pause, and returned to during these essential learning times for the students/parents at home. This would be amazing for kiddos who are home sick or in the hospital as well...and so many of our students travel at non-traditional times during the school year that I think that this would be a great way for them to keep up. Between the podcast and the downloadable documents available on my website, I think that this is revolutionary for my teaching practice. So, what is my definition? It's my virtual self's ability to teach my students, should they be in Switzerland, Egypt, Hawaii, or in their own home with their parents. Yes, it's personal and on-demand, but it's also a way for excuses to dissipate for those homes that have internet access. Libraries also have free internet access, as do apartment complex social rooms/business centers, which also have printers and faxes. Heck, they can download the information onto their cellphones!

So, when can we send their progress reports and report cards to their parents' cellphones?

V

RSS: Wish Come True or Waterfall?

2008-07-09T21:45:00.002-05:00

Well, in trying to catch up on my homework, I'm now posting about my RSS assignment. (We're renovating almost the entire house and it's been really disruptive. Please excuse the lack of posts!)

I've been using an RSS for a while now (Most email accounts have an opening page that you can organize into what information you wish to receive, be it news or blogs.) and it's been interesting, but I've not used it to follow blogs on a regular basis. This is my first foray into that arena.

I selected NetVibes, but PageFlakes seems similar and just as good in many respects. Taking the time to add all my classmates' blogs was time consuming, but I can keep up with everyone in one place, so it is an advantage to have them all there. The three "non-classmate blogs" I selected were the following:

1. Wired magazine's Science blog (I subscribe to Wired magazine and read it cover to cover each month. I truly enjoy the analysis of how technology is a part of our lives and how it develops and evolves.)

2. Boing Boing (This seems to be such a random cross-section of pop culture that I wanted to read it for a little while.)

3. TravelPod (I kept a travel blog while out of the country last year and really enjoyed it. I love to read blogs of other travelers and learn about their experiences. It really helps to form my own travel plans and gives me additional perspective.)

Reflection Questions:

1. What did you learn? I learned that RSS feeds have really developed since my own prior use (email account).

2. How will you use what you have learned? I will try to use this resource on a regular basis for a month to see if it's reasonable to use with my schedule and personal needs. I will then decide if it's something that will help me.

3. How did you feel about this tool? I think that it's a great development, but may overwhelm me with information all at once. It may be difficult to keep up with reading so many blogs.

4. What do you not want to forget about this tool? I do not want to forget to use it! My life is so crazy-busy (three kids home for the summer) that it's hard to find that much time to sit down by myself to read it all.

5. How can this be used in the classroom or in your educational role? I can use this to keep up with educational blogs I enjoy and find essential to my growth as an educator.

6. Should you use this in your classroom or in your educational role? I definitely think this can help with my educational role, but maybe not the classroom (until they can control the image feeds on the site). I noticed that there are some things on the site that remain there until you remove them (flickr photos), and that might be challenging to do with 120 kiddos.

7. What questions do you still have about this tool? I question if I have enough time right now to read it all, and ironically, I tend to have more time when I am able to sit in my classroom to do it once the students are gone and my meetings are done. At least then I can schedule the time to do it. I'll let you know how this works out.

Off the Rails?

2008-06-17T23:19:00.000-05:00

Compelling thoughts:

http://futureoftheinternet.org/

Two Blogs/Comments

2008-06-16T21:41:00.002-05:00

Blog #1: http://jhh.blogs.com/webwriters/

(I love how kid-friendly this site is! It's powerful because each child's blog is available and there are so many resources for them while they write! It is an online diary of their processes, but also of who they are as a human, and there is something really compelling about the computer-ready medium that lends itself to feeling more open, more willing to share with your audience. While this is the gift of blogging, it is also a double-edged sword...to be wielded with the protection of a guide and coach while learning and sharing.)

Blog #2: http://www.dawnsbrain.com/

(Ok, other than the fact that this site is visually yummy and very inviting, I love that the teacher is reflecting openly about what impacts her classroom. The organization of the website is easy to navigate as well. I want to put lessons on my blog that enable students to go through the entire lesson from home. Although I believe that nothing replaces the physical presence of your mentor, online learning is compelling! Podcasting/web video is something I want to add to my site as a support for traveling students, sick students, and parents.)

~V

Week One Reflection Questions

2008-06-16T21:21:00.003-05:00

1. What did you learn?

While I have ventured into the blogging waters somewhere around my calves (text/photos), I am anxious to actually get out there and ride the waves of possibility! Embedding video, interactive lessons, podcasting...I am THRILLED with the idea of putting lessons online for students/parents to use at home! I basically learned that I have a lot to learn, and that's fantastic!

2. How will you use what you have learned? (Please see answer to question number one above.)

3. How did you feel about this tool?

Can't you tell??! I love blogging! I am excited about the opportunities it will provide for us!

4. What do you not want to forget about this tool?

...Where the help section is...Seriously, power is knowing how to access information you need...

5. How can this be used in the classroom?

Students have the space to pose questions to each other, publish their thoughts and texts for feedback, and to offer their influence to improve their writing. They also have the forum with which to explore ideas safely and with encouragement, and that's priceless!

6. Should you use this in the classroom?

But of course! I think everyone should have blogs! The onset of air conditioning and television in the 1950s really changed the way neighbors and communities related to each other, with lasting effects. Even the front porches disappeared from our homes, creating an isolation that changed forever who we know and how we know them. Jet forward to the new millenium and you have social networking sites that have the power to create "virtual communities"...both amazing and terrifying in their power on the individuals behind the avatars. With a new medium that changes so dramatically each DAY, society and the individual must create a code of ethics and a PLAN for how to integrate and populate this new space. We mustn't become a slave to it; We must craft our relationship with it. This is at the core of what I hope to explore with my students in coming years.

7. What questions do you still have about this tool?

I am concerned about moderating and protecting my students while also giving them appropriate freedom to publish...respecting each other throughout the process.

~V

A Little About Why I'm Here...

2008-06-16T21:02:00.003-05:00

I am excited to be a part of our blogging community, and I look forward to using blogs, wikis, and more resources to give even more opportunities to my students this next school year. I hope to learn how to use new tools, examine where technology in the classroom is heading, and to work with my colleagues to consider topics in a new way.

I teach 8th grade ELA at Ridgeview Middle School, and I also serve as the Department Chair for the ELA department. I have been teaching for about thirteen years, half of which were spent teaching high school pre-AP and AP English (9th/11th grade) and the other half have been spent learning wonderful things from 7th and 8th grade students. I love middle school! Though I enjoyed my high school students, I felt that many of their decision-making processes and world-perceptions were permanently fixed by the time they arrived in high school. I wanted to help them during the formative years of their personalities, so I dove into middle school philosophy and found a wonderful home with our "tweens".

I love to learn and look forward to a continuous journey of new experiences with my students and my colleagues this year!

~V

Portals and Possibilities

2008-06-16T20:46:00.003-05:00

I love blogging! No, really, I do...I have another blog that I've been using for a year now (though not as consistently as I would like). It's a travel/life experiences blog that I began just before leaving to teach in Israel and Palestine last summer, and it's meant to be both a raw, honest look at what I experienced as well as a place to ask questions, integrate and challenge perceptions of reality and possibility, and to reflect on where my path in life takes me. The ability to share my experiences overseas in (almost) realtime with my family and friends was an amazing opportunity to share traveling and personal growth with those who understood me most deeply. They asked compelling questions and encouraged me, and I think this medium creates a powerful opportunity to influence and learn in both directions. It is my hope that my students discover the power of this portal to a new journey and share it in order to both inspire and be inspired.

~V