Educational Technology Philosophy:
I believe that all students should have an opportunity to an equal and free education. It is my job as an educator to make sure that each and every one of my students walk away each semester with a new piece of knowledge that they did not possess before entering into my physical education class. As a physical education teacher, it is my job to teach students about healthy lifestyles. I want my learners to walk away from the gym with all kinds of different knowledge and skills about sports and physical activity. If these students can incorporate some of this knowledge into their daily lives, then I have done my job as a physical educator.
The definition of a great teacher is someone that makes learning fun for the students. They do not always teach using the same methods everyday, but they find various methods in order to reach out to all of the diverse learning styles in the classroom. I have had teachers in the past that have taught with a combination of methods, and I felt like this made learning fun and interesting. I like to make sure that everyone is having fun while doing the activity that we are doing in P.E. Although some students do not like P.E., I have found by participating with them or simply encouraging them and telling them that they are doing a great job helps them to participate with a smile on their face or try a little harder. I always make sure that the students know they can ask me for help, that I am friendly, and easy to approach. I want my students to know up front that I am there to help them even if their problem does not pertain to Physical Education.
I felt that I connected with two philosophies: constructivism and pragmatism. In the P.E. world, the students are their own teachers. I am there to show and explain how a sport is played, but they help each other out when they are actually playing the sport. I am there as a facilitator, but the gym is very student-oriented. My students are motivated and want to participate. The ones that are not motivated I find it as my job to help them become motivated or find a way to show them that it is important to try at everything. In my class, we have a very flexible and relaxed atmosphere. The students are ready for a change of plan or activity at any moment. I like to teach by trail and error. If I try a new activity and the students are not getting it or not having fun, then we will switch to a different activity right away. I believe that the students should be connecting their education with real world situations in order to better prepare them for being out on their own.
Technology is integrated by the students researching information on various sports or athletes. The students know that they can find sports games on YouTube or any web site that post videos. They can use these videos as instructional methods of learning how to play a sport or accomplish a skill. I am an informator because technology is integrated into physical education. Various cultures are valued in my class by introducing a variety of sports to the students. The atmosphere is very relaxed and flexible. The students are ready for change at any moment, but in an organized fashion.
Students tend to rely on educators to help guide them through their early years. An educator is one that is not only there to teach them the curriculum, but to better prepare the students for the real world and what is to become of their lives. Educators have a very important role in their students lives to help mold and shape them into young adults. I enjoy being that person that helps these students transform into young adults and hearing about what they have achieved when they come back to visit. This is the true job of an educator and a very rewarding one at that.
Educational Blogging:
Educational blogging is a very good way for students to share their projects and thoughts with one another. This is also a very good way to help teach them how to use constructive criticism when evaluating one another's work that is being posted. In Downe's article, he list several different ways that blogs can be used in education. I do not believe that majority of the schools have met this potential. Many schools do not even allow the students to use blogs because of fear that they will post inappropriate information. Teachers need to find a way to incorporate blogs into their classes so the students have a a new and different way to showcase work and express their thoughts and opinions.
Creating a Culture for Teaching and Learning:
After reading all six areas to think about and changes on the horizon with technology and education, the one that stuck out the most to me was the first one: If It's On The Internet, Is It True? I have noticed that many students to do not know that just because an article is posted on the Internet does not mean it is true. They will use this information in their research projects for classes. The students need to be taught which web sites are safe to use.
Concept Map:
My concept map is made up of all of the words and details in the educational technology world. When I think of technology in education, the first word that comes to mind is communication, which is why it is a large word. The learners in the education environment today have many opportunities ahead of themselves with the evolving technology.
Class Expectations:
I expect to learn all kinds of new ways in incorporate technology into the educational setting. My goal is to eventually become a librarian, and I know technology is starting to play a bigger and bigger role. I want to be able to teach my students new and fun ways to use technology to help display projects and classwork. I am hoping that this class will show me different ways to achieve my goal.
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