I'm creative. I love art, even though I'm not very good at it. I love writing and reading and reading some more. I hate math and doing anything with numbers. I'm terrible at measurements, spacial awareness, and especially technology. I have a brother and a boyfriend who are both obsessed with technology. I'm always hearing (and tuning out) the latest phone, software, and apple product. They keep nagging me to get a new computer because the one I have is so old! To me, however, it's only 5 years old. I'll use it until it stops turning on, even though I can't itunes on it, the disc drive is broken, and it can no longer receive new updates. Needless to say, I am very technologically illiterate.
When it came time for me to take EDSE 241, I was a little worried about dedicating a whole semester to a technology class. Among my many assignments for the class, I was asked to accomplish things I have never done before and never really thought very capable of. I created my first website. I learned about and fell in love with Prezi. I'm creating my first blog and will eventually get a handle on how to create a podcast.
Those are the "techy" aspects of the class that have changed me but there are the fundamental ideas and beliefs set forth in this class that have also changed me. The belief that the role of teachers is changing in the 21st century. Using technology is a critical part of the future of education. My role is no longer to stand in front of the class and lecture and assess and grade. Instead, my role is to engage and push to inspire and equip my students for the 21st century, with its permeation of technology.
My role and my passion as a teacher has always been to inspire and to instill in my students a belief and understanding that they could change the world around them. Now I know the tools to help them accomplish that task.
