Reflections

Personal Reflections
The question here should read, "How **will** what I have learned this semester change my instructional focus and practice? This has been a challenging, hectic, action based, hands on, rewarding, as well as disappointing semester for me. Has it been that way for students? I am not sure. I know I have done a lot of inquiry based learning but I am not so sure my students always have. As a teacher many times I feel so pressed for time and so worried that we will not cover all of the material, thus not meet all of the standards that I am afraid many times to let my students explore on their own, take chances, and ask, "what if." This exploration can mean having failures as well as successes. Yes, everyone likes to succeed the first time but we don't always learn quite as much, and are not as well prepared for the "real" world, which will include mistakes that have to be overcome and learned from. I like the idea of students as teachers. What better way for them to learn than by having to teach. That means me having to step back at times and not feel as though I have to always be the leader. Yesterday I stood in the audience along with the rest of the school and watched my student’s yearly fashion show and was so proud of each and every one of them that I was crying. Yes, I get that way when I am happy, sad, frustrated, mad, etc. (My son says that is because I am so right brained, and too emotional, but we’ll leave that for another discussion.) This year I stepped back and let the students do most of the organizing and work and the show was wonderful. Yes, it had its problems but they dealt with them and the show was a hit. Monday, the students will evaluate their show, it's high points as well as the problems to help guide them in the future. I am going to have the students write up suggestions that will be posted on the class “Fashion Show” wiki page to help guide future classes in their planning. Everyone has heard the saying “No Man is an Island.” 1 Meaning, we can’t thrive without others. Well, this course has really shown me how it is essential for success to make sure that I reach out and learn from all of the resources available to me as a teacher. It has opened up my eyes to an entire network of individuals and sources for me outside of the walls of my classroom to assist in my personal and professional growth in the use of Web 2.0 tools and resources. I have collaborated with the Business Teacher, a Math teacher, the Multi Media Instructor, the Computer Tech specialist to discuss upgrading some of my classroom Technology equipment, and the school Principle. I have had the privilege of studying with a wonderful, patient instructor who also happens to be our school librarian. She is so knowledgeable in writing, research, computer programs and the use of online tools, online media, and resources. This summer I am continuing my learning by taking additional seminars being taught by both her and other specialists in the use of computers, inline tools, etc. To complete a number of the assignments within this course I studied and collaborated with Jan Tester, the school language specialist to share ideas, thoughts, resources, and learning. We both agree that because of this collaboration we both came away with so much more. We spent many days and evenings discussing lessons, online resources, copyright (that was a big one). Jan and I plan to continue working together on lessons, and projects to increase our student learning and success. The whole purpose for anyone in developing a PLN is to provide that individual multiple resources for growth and success. For a teacher that means increasing their resource base that leads to higher instructional skills that may foster increased student growth. To promote teacher growth and the development of teacher PLN’s it is essential that schools provide teachers with the time to develop these networks and practice the skills necessary to teach the students how to use the technology. There are plenty of workshops that we are expected to attend that show us how to use Web 2.0 tools but just as with our students, teachers need the time to practice, and “play” with this learning. David Warlick states it very aptly when he says “we will not be able to just workshop teachers in the 21st century.”http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/?p=2203 Learning should be happening all of the time, not just within the classroom. I want students to think of learning as being a lifelong pursuit. I realize that my ideas for how I can use Web 2.0 tools and resources is still very narrow but as part of my exploration I am planning to “play” with many ways in which I can incorporate these tools in my instruction. At this time, I plan to put many of my resources and lessons online so students can access this information from other places besides the classroom. This will allow for increased differentiation within my instruction to meet the needs of all levels of students. I am exploring how students can turn in some of their written work online, thus eliminating paperwork, and providing students a perfect format for adding to their “Personal Digital Portfolio.” 1 This is a quotation from John Donne (1572-1631). __It appears in //Devotions upon emergent occasions and several steps in my sickness//__ //- Meditation XVII//, 1624:
 * How will has this shifted or will shift my instructional focus and practice to impact student learning and achievement?**
 * How can my PLN foster continued learning and professional growth in the use of Web 2.0 tools and resources?**
 * How can my new understanding and use of online tools change the way I teach and students learn?**