Putting my plan into action requires a certain set of resources. Primarily I have made a commitment to create a database of contacts with a vested interest in educational technology in Alberta. These contacts include members of my existing business associates, school division colleagues, and others I have yet to meet. It is my hope to create a community of technology-minded professionals to improve technology and its use in Alberta schools.
I have begun implementation of my plan by initiating communications with an executive technology team member (Dr. Phil McRae) of my province’s teaching association, and compiling a list of school technology personnel throughout the province. The latter will prove to be more fruitful in the fall as teachers are not accessible to the time of year. By associating with said technology-minded personnel and organizations throughout the province, I will be closer to achieving my goals. Increasing my exposure to a broader range of thinkers and develop purposeful relationships with other technology-minded educators.
At this stage of my plans, I am in somewhat of a holding pattern because many of the individuals I hope to establish relationships with are away for the summer break. However, Twitter has provided an informal avenue for discussion with some of these people. In fact, I expect to establish a rapport with colleagues I might not otherwise be aware of had I not invested my time in Twitter in this manner. Therefore, although school breaks impede my plans to some small degree, current technologies open other doors.
Self-directed learning is the way I have acquired all of my technology skills to date. This strategy has always served me well, and will again as I explore different ways to fulfil my goal. Monitoring my own progress, on the other hand, may be somewhat difficult. I plan to keep a close eye on the database of contacts I am building. However, it will not be until I have begun interacting with new found colleagues that I will know if I am collaborating with the right people. This is where I fear I may lose sight of my goal. I want to be involved with creating change in educational technology and this means I need to be involved with people who are interested in the same goal.
My desire to grow as a professional is not unique. It is this desire for evolution in teachers that proves to me great teachers are, indeed made. Some people are born with an aptitude for teaching, but if they do not continue to plan for growth in their practice, they are not great teachers. I have begun to put my plan into action and look forward to the education I will receive along the way. I invite you to participate in my journey and share your stories of professional growth as well.
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Wahl, L., & Duffield, J. (2005). Using flexible technology to meet the needs of diverse learners: What teachers can do. Retrieved July 12, 2011 from http://www.wested.org/online_pubs/kn-05-01.pdf
Deanna:
ReplyDeleteI have heard that saying and I do not think that teachers are born but they grow each year. I want my students to be the best they can and I am there to guide them down that path of success. I commend you on opening a Twitter account. I have heard a lot about them but at the time I had no interest to open an account until I read your blog post. A Twitter account would be an excellent way to communicate with people in your school district as well as talking to other professionals in the teaching area. Do you plan on using Twitter as your database or are you using something different? I am guessing you will have a large database by incorporating all schools in Alberta if you are including elementary, middle and high school. Once you have establish your database, what are plans of using it? You have developed well-planned to set your goals into action. From readng your post, I can tell you have compassion for teaching and will continue to grow into a great teacher.
Nice Blog Post!
Lori
Thank you for reading my post, Lori.
ReplyDeleteI have had a Twitter account for about a year now. Primarily I used it to promote brand awareness for my business, but lately I have been using it for educational purposes, and to tweet about current writing projects. Twitter will be invaluable as a teacher because I can keep students, parents and colleagues up to date with what is happening in my classroom and the direction I hope to take my students.
It is not practical to use Twitter as a database because it is such a dynamic tool. Unless I am monitoring it constantly, it is difficut to stay up to date with what colleagues are tweeting. I will use it as a primary contact in some cases and as a way to keep an ear to the ground regarding educational technology.
Regarding my database, I am using Excel because I can link email addresses to my entries and export communications directly from Excel. I have toyed with the idea of creating an Access database, but at this point my main concern is gathering contacts. Setting up an Access database is just one more action that takes time to create and maintain, whereas Excel is relatively effortless at this point.
Once I have compiled a list of contacts I will initiate communications to disucuss what technologies others are using, and collaborate on building an "Alberta Technology Teachers" community.
I have been out of public education for quite a number of years, so establishing a community of technology teachers will help me to, once again, become entrenched in the culture of teaching.
Deanna,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great blog post and I agree with your statement that great teachers are not born but made. It is through hard work and a constant effort to learn and grow that great teachers are made. I also like your determination to be a self-directed learner. It is our job as educators to continually grow and learn and become the best we can become so that we can help students to be the best they can be. There is a saying that one cannot give to others unless they learn to give to themselves and what greater way to give to yourself than to become a self-directed learner. Keep up the great work Deanna and keep learning on a daily basis!
David Broom
Deanna
ReplyDeleteThis is a very enlightening post. I really enjoyed reading it and I like your way of thinking. I agree with David when he said you have great detemination to become a self-directed learner. You are definitely right when you said good teachers plan for continuous growth in the field of teaching. You have a Great Plan of Action. You seem to be very confident in your abilities and it is very obvious throught your GAME plan you are pationate about what you believe. Again very nice post!!
Response to David and "Anonymous"
ReplyDeleteThank you both for reading my post. This experience has given me an opportunity to get a glimpse into what the life of a student might be like. As I read your responses, it gave me a strong feeling of affirmation that I am on the right track.
Likely few among us do not experience feelings of doubt and uncertainty on this road of self-directed learning. We rely primarily on ourselves as we seek answers to problems, and although it is infinitely rewarding, it can be a lonely and daunting journey at times. I imagine students must feel this to some degree as well.
Thank you for reading my post and providing support on my path to enlightenment.