Thing 23

Wow! It's been an exciting learning experience! So happy that I signed up for this...I knew that I needed to update my skills in the digital world...when you're honest and forth coming with what you need as a teacher, and you're feeling uncomfortable with where you are at...a conscientious teacher acts! So glad I made this awesome journey! I realize that the journey continues and is an ongoing one...I am so willing! Thank you to Joan and Maureen for all your hard work..you are so appreciated!! You are true teachers....caring about the greater community and willing to share your knowledge for the benefit of us all!

I've changed and benefitted in so many ways due to this course. First of all, it forced me to familiarize myself with many of the current digital tools. I couldn't give in to my discomfort and fear...I had to move forward, and it wasn't as difficult as I thought, thanks to the setup and design of this instructional program. I didn't grow up in the age of digital, so I feel that if these types of professionsl developments are not offered and gently encouraged for teachers my age, it is harder to get this learning and committment to happen. Newington needs to provide and encourage teachers more in this area. I have confidence that this is going to happen...Yah!

I'm very excited to start this school year with my updated and new found knowledge thanks to Web 2.0. I will start off using a wiki for the purpose of having my students complete their first writing assignment about their favorite summer activity. I will soon advance to having them complete collaborative study guides demonstraing what they have learned in various subjects. So excited about this because I am a strong believer in the use of study guides with students especially at this young age....they need to learn that this type of tool will help them on assessments now and in the future, and it gets them involved in the process...killing two birds with one stone! Ebooks interest me, and I know they will have a value in the classroom also, just for something different for everyone, and more of a true tool for sped. students. I will definitely allow my students to complete assignments/assessments that utilize more of the Web 2.0 tools. It would be great to have the help of our computer/resource/media teachers for this aspect....can't do it all on our own. I realize too that it is my responsibility to seek them out for this purpose.

I plan on spending more time on some of the tools and sites. I definitely need to revisit and fine tune what I have learned. This year I will spend time experimenting and learning more, so that next year I have some solid digital curriculum in place! The biggest thing that I have taken away from this experience is that to be a 21st century learner/teacher is that you are constantly learning and updating skills. If you are complacent and old school in your thinking/ teaching, you will short change the students of today...you will feel the discomfort and see the negative results of this inequity.

Thank you again for this wonderful learning experience...Awesome job!!!