Reflective Blog -Week 2

The two organizations that aligned with my values and educational technology philosophy were National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (http://www.nctm.org/resources/high.aspx) and the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse (NSLC) (http://www.servicelearning.org/).  I choose the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics because the website has a variety of information.  It has a link for Tools & Technology and it gives ideas on how to bring technology in the classrooms.  One example was game-like activities, like “Math Bee”.  It also has a link for High School Students, this focuses on activities for grades 8 to 14 math to better understand & links for practice research.  It also has teaching tips, which was very interesting to me since I need all the input I can get.  The website also has a family recourse link that can help student and their families to figure out problems and homework.  There was not a definition for Educational Technology that I could find on this website, however I did see some good ideas on how to use technology to educate students with the essentials for learning math. The Mission Statement is as follows, “The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics is a public voice of mathematics education, supporting teachers to ensure equitable mathematics learning of the highest quality for all students through vision, leadership, professional development, and research” ,http://www.nctm.org/about/content.aspx?id=172.  The purpose of the organization is to improve mathematic instructions to PreK-12^th Grade, to educate teachers and give them the resources to engage in activities that are essential for math teachers to work.  Which is better stated in the vision statement, ““The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics is a global leader and authority in mathematics education, ensuring that all students have access to the highest quality mathematics teaching and learning. We envision a world where everyone is enthused about mathematics, sees the value and beauty of mathematics, and is empowered by the opportunities mathematics affords.” http://www.nctm.org/about/content.aspx?id=172.   The National Service-Learning Clearinghouse (NSLC) was the other organization that I choose.  Their mission statement is as follows, “The L’Anse Creuse Community Service-Learning Advisory Council is a non-profit organization formed to provide guidance and direction to the programs which offer opportunities for students to participate in organized service-learning experiences.” http://servicelearning.org/filemanager/download/Sample_Forms/lanse_creuse_advisory_council.pdf.  This organization supports people in education, community-based organizations, tribal programs, and others supporting education in service-learning.  NSLC has a website, email discussion lists, library collections, and staff.  The purpose of this organization is to provide problem solving, explore additional funding options (like fundraisers, Lions Clubs, etc.), expand publicity, and to assure grant goals are being met.

Educational Technology is the studies, practices, and theories of using technology, like software, hardware, and applications to enhance the education process.  It is when educational research is altered to the science of learning by creating and using different technical procedures.  This definition of Educational Technology aligns with my philosophy in that I want to attract the children’s attention and the technology is one of the ways to grab it.  I just need to learn more about bringing the education part in with the technology, what will work and what has not been successful.  All of this is fairly new to me and I am learning so much about what all is out there for support, with technology and education.

Reflective Blog-Week 1

This week has been crazy. I have been trying to get this class figured out, where to find everything, and what is expected.  I have been out of school since 2002, so the technology is different too.  I am very excited about taking this class and learning how to interact technology and education.  I am working on getting a teaching certificate and have not spent any time in a teaching environment, except with my two boys and with my 30 hours of teaching observation.  I think the educational technology philosophy should help me in going back to my thoughts and how I want to teach.  It also helps me in learning more with current technology because I will be posting every week.
I see a great deal of potential in blogging, however, I have significantly large amount to learn.  I can see and relate to Stephen Downes article when Richardson states the three great values in blogging.  I totally agree with all of them.  This is a good way to improve what we are trying to learn; technology and critical thinking towards education. 

November’s article, Creating a Culture for Teaching and Learning had six areas to dwell on.  I think the first one stood out more than the others.  I can see how they, the students, can see the information and not think about it. I agree that the internet should be used as information but should also teach them to think and discriminate about the information they receive from the web. 

I hope to learn as much from this class as I possibly can.  I need more confidence in technology and any information about teaching.  I want to be the best teacher that I can be and want to learn about how to bring technology into the classroom.  I am very excited and nervous about this class.

Tammy Cooper's ETEC 524 Educational Technology Philosophy

Tammy Cooper's ETEC 524 Educational Technology Philosophy

In today’s important world of technology, we must stay up with the current research and with the advances in education.  Things continue to change very often and so must the education process and classroom environment.  As a teacher and a productive citizen we must be lifetime learners. 

The role of the learner is to be well rested, show up to class on time, and invest the time and effort to learn the lesson or lessons.  I want the learners to gain a thought process on the experiences in the exercise and to think at a higher level than the standard simple answers that anyone could process.

The role of the teacher is to serve as a good guide to the student’s lives and to be a great role model.  The teacher should create a fun environment, always be prepared, set rules for the classroom, and be somewhat open-minded to respect the individual’s diversity.  The teacher should expect and nurture the student’s responsibilities and to have involvement between the students and teachers by asking questions.

The purpose of an education is to teach with excitement and enthusiasm and to engage and hold the interest of the learner.  I believe this is more effective when the lesson is fun because who doesn’t want to have fun.  I will do my best to make the classroom exciting and fun to keep them interested in learning but I will also expect the students to show me respect, care, and involvement in the classroom.  My objectives as a teacher are to be a great informer and role model.  I strongly believe that the way we act can rub off on the people around you and a great teacher attitude teaches the student’s positive social behavior. 

I hope to be an informator and use technology with my teaching practices.   My philosophy is built on the constructivism and reconstructivism theory.  I relate to the constructivism theory in the belief that this world is very complex and that everything is just not what it seems.  Sometimes we must encourage thinking about a situation, instead of just reading about a meaningful event.   This is added by my other theory, reconstructivism theory, in that the students should relate the educational ideals with real life experiences.  This way we can change some of the world problems or at least look at them as well as apply what they learn in class to the society.  The more the student can learn about different types of people, the better they will understand and relate to the world issues.  I always look forward, sometimes too far forward, and think that this world can only improve if we start teaching the students about looking into the future and they can see how they can make a difference.  I don’t believe that mixing the society issues with our education will make an immediate change but it can be corrected over time.  Education and knowledge is the key to a great start.

I would like to see positive changes in the students with technology.  Technology changes are part of the life now.  The more the students learn now, the more they can understand as they move up in their classes, education, and life in general.  Technology is the part of our future.