Since I graduated with my BS in elementary education, I have held several different positions. I was a 2nd grade teacher for two years before moving into the library. I have been a media specialist in two locations. I was at a K-3 school for 7 years, and just this past year, I have moved back to the K-8 school where I first began working as an assistant teacher.
When I was pursuing my first degree, online learning was just taking off. I only remember taking one online class. There was not much collaboration at that point. Discussion boards were the only method of communication with classmates. Since returning to school, I have taken mostly online classes. This semester will make nine classes total that I have taken online. I have also created an online course as part of my program at USM.
I am extremely comfortable with using technology software. Any skills I don’t have, I typically pick up quite easily. I am proficient in all of the Microsoft Office suite programs and their Mac and Open Office counterparts. Last semester, I learned to create multimedia tools using many free online programs such as GoAnimate, PowToon, Emaze, Empressr, Audacity, and iMovie. Although I was successful with using all of these tools, I definitely prefer some over others. Many of them were only free on a trial basis. My favorite by far was GoAnimate. I intend to use some of my budget to purchase a subscription to this next year. It will be very helpful to me as a teacher.
My first semester in this program, I was exposed to a lot of communication tools. I think most people have used email and discussion boards to communicate. Listservs are very similar to email. I belong to a few as part of my job and I am also a member of the IT Listserv at USM. I really like that one as they often post job openings! I have not used chat very often for part of my education. I have used it in the past. I used to participate in many chat rooms when the Internet was more of a new thing. I hope that doesn’t give away my age!! Some of the most convenient communication tools that I have used with my classmates has been text messaging and also Facebook groups. I typically start a new Facebook group anytime I am involved in a group project. It is really helpful to be able to communicate without the messiness of email replies and upload files and drafts of our group work.
I have used different tools in education. Blogs are a tool I have used as a means of reflection. I have not used them for my own students, but I have used them as a student. It is a helpful way to show what I am learning and communicate via comments with my classmates. While I have not actually used Podcasts in a class setting, I have created podcasts in a mock setting for a lesson. I really enjoy using Podcasts. I am not really sure why, but I like creating them and recording them. Maybe I like the simplicity of them. There are no graphics to create, no timings to adjust, you just write a script and record. I also prefer to listen to a discussion of something than read it. Video clips are another tool I have used. I have actually used video clips in teaching. It can be a helpful way to catch students’ attention and present relevant information in a way that will hold that attention. I have not used Wikis in any fashion. I look forward to learning more about them.
My philosophy on teaching is that the teacher is there to be a facilitator of learning. The teacher is not the center of the learning experience. Students should be allowed to make choices in how they show their learning. Technology is an interesting way to facilitate that. I have not used technology in ways that are much different from the mainstream, but I have planned to allow my older students to create any type of finished product they wish to present their research findings next year. This could include an animation, a video, or some type of presentation. I am looking forward to exploring these tools with them.