M1P4 Tools

 

              A 21^st century tool that I found is Facebook groups. Through my research I discovered several groups that cater to teachers wanting to enhance their knowledge of technology and discover ways to benefit their students. I joined some groups that post best practices surrounding incorporating technology in the classroom. I found a group for my city that is called Boaz City Schools 21^st Century Community Learning Center. This group provides academic enrichment for students and even their families that need help. I admire these programs and see them as a big benefit to our community. I think using Facebook to connect with the community and to help stay on top of the latest technological advances through groups is a huge benefit to the educator and the learners because it ensures TPACK is utilized. 

TPACK M1P3

 

            TPACK stands for Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge. TPACK is dedicated to ensuring that three important aspects of teaching are addressed and merged seamlessly to incorporate technology and accommodate the 21^st century student. The three aspects of TPACK are pedagogy, content, and technology. Pedagogy is the method of teaching. Content is our core concepts in the curriculum that students have to master, and technology is the ongoing incorporation of 21^st century digital content into the classroom. Each one in and of itself is important, but more importantly is where they merge for the students. Educators should ensure they all come together to drive a seamless experience of ongoing engagement for the learner. When I was in school, we had a typing class. Technology was apart of the curriculum, but it was separate. Now my children bring home tablets for homework, and I use apps to communicate with the teacher. It is a whole new world and we must merge it seamlessly in order to be successful. TPACK is essential to development of the students in this digital world.

Evernote M1P2

 

            I am a big planner. I use Happy Planner to write everything down and keep up with my school, my job, my hobbies, and my family. I have resisted digital planners because I benefit from physically writing down notes, plans, and dates. It helps me to remember important things and keep my life organized. I absolutely love Evernote for the simple reason it merges my digital and physical world. I can keep my planner and take a photo of it to save in my Evernote. I struggle to carry several planners. I am confessing I have three planners and two notebooks. It seems that I write something in one planner, only to leave it in my car when I need it, or not have it and forget something important. I want to use my phone, but I have yet to find an app that works for me until now. I love the fact that Evernote keeps everything together on every format of my life, from my computer to my phone to my planner. I will use Evernote for teaching, my personal life, and as a planner.

          I hope to teach fifth or sixth grade. While I agree Evernote would be difficult for younger grades, I think that the older learner could greatly benefit from using it. I think that it would help them when they accelerate to high school and classes become more difficult. It will help to keep them organized and keep up with their notes and classwork. I hope to incorporate it into my curriculum and show the students how to use it for personal use as well. I am including some examples below of my personal Evernote. I would highly recommend it for teaching in a 21st century classroom as well as for personnel use to keep your life and work organized. 

M1P1

 

I really didn’t understand the extent at which 21^st century technology has changed the education system, and even the world for that matter. I knew it had changed my life, and I know my son is much smarter than I was at his age, but I never stopped to think of the global impact it has had. I didn’t think it was important to stay up to date on the latest social trends, newest apps, and technologies. I would not describe myself as trendy, however, from reading and studying in the class so far, I can see that I would do a major disservice to my students if I didn’t ensure they had all the tools needed for them to be successful, and some of those tools are digitally driven. Students have to be prepared to enter the workforce with the digital tools they need. I have to be prepared to help them learn.

21^st Century learning is all about equipping today’s learners with the tools needed to be successful in a technology driven age. Today’s student is apart of what is known as the digital revolution. From the book, “Teaching Models Designing Instruction for the 21^st century,” it states that in many ways the digital revolution is similar to the agricultural and industrial revolutions of the past. The digital revolution is influencing employment, education, citizenship, and most other aspects of daily life (Pg. 4). Students today are more diverse than ever before and are globally connected in a way to help enhance communication from various cultures, (Teaching Models, Pg. 10).  It is important to consider the relevance of technology for the 21^st century learner in everyday life. Today’s learner has grown up in a digital age. Their pictures have been posted to social media from birth, they play apps, and digital games. They use technology every day, (Pg. 16). If we don’t adjust as educators to the ever changing and demanding digital revolution, then we would be doing a disservice to the learner by crippling their competitiveness for their future.

The onslaught of information can be overwhelming (Pg. 7). It is important to help the students organize, synthesize, and prioritize all the information they have access to in order to help them learn and grow. It is a gift to have so much information at their fingertips, but it can also be distracting and hinder them on their educational journey. I have to continuously research and stay on top of the latest tools and advanced technology. If I fail to do so, it changes so quickly I could be using out of date information. It is imperative that I incorporate 21^st century technology and learning strategies into all core subjects to help deliver the most current and up to date information to my students as possible.

                                   

Citation:

Kilbane C. R., & Milman N. B. (2018). Teaching Models. [Yuzu]. Retrieved from https://reader.yuzu.com/#/books/9780133557176/

                I am so excited to start this blog! I am in college at Jacksonville State University to be an elementary teacher. I got a bachelor's degree in 2012 in psychology. I really wanted to be a school councilor at some point. I had a tough time as a kid, and I wanted to be able to help others navigate that time in their life. I didn't have a tough time due to any particular factor. My family is great, and I grew up with a support system and several friends. In fact, I had a hard time for no reason. I found out later that I suffered from a mental illness. I struggled with depression for several years in my adolescence and even considered ending my life. Helping others is so near and dear to me, and I feel called to help children. I am currently at Walmart. I started Walmart right out of college as a manager. I have worked my way up in Walmart, and I have a wonderful career training managers. I have been training in class and via zoom for over four years now. I love Walmart, and all the opportunity it offers, but I have three small children. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with my career, and I want to be the best mom I can. I feel like teaching will align my schedule with my children. I am also so excited to teach up and coming generations and hopefully impact their lives in a positive way.