How-to Stay Smart!
Samantha Forster
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Generally, learning in the future will be very different from what it is today. The ways in which we as students learn and obtain new information has changed drastically in recent years. This constant evolution of learning has provided students with specific affordances, but with change comes some apprehension. My learning environment will change, but also my professional working environment as well. Throughout this program I’ve learned that there are many avenues for educator or professional collaboration. Creating a professional learning network will be essential to my continued learning. I’ve realized that all of the information that I would ever need is out there in the physical or digital world, I just have to figure out a way to find, research, read, analysis, and organize it for the benefit of my future students and myself.
Besides my communication and interaction with fellow students in the program, I currently participate in many social networking programs that are directed toward my content area or technology specifically. Following other professionals on Twitter has provided many updates on new programs or resources. Specifically, the networking program Ning has proved to be extremely beneficial for planning and communicating with other educators nationwide, specifically on the subject of English and integrating technology into the new Common Core curriculum. This network not only provides me with various resources, but it also forces me to look ahead at curriculum and reflect on past experiences and assessments to determine their worth and success level. If I am sharing material with other educators, I want to provide them with quality resources and sufficient information regarding the implementation. I will continue with this type of collaborative learning until a new networking avenue becomes available.
Another resource that I hope to maintain and grow, is my RSS reader. I strive to keep it organized and make additions. At times it can be difficult to consistently read the new content and maintain a reading schedule. But I learn so much from blogs regarding technology and new resources. This type of learning has a domino effect; browsing bloggers pages and networks, leads me to new blogs that I begin to following and this pattern seems to continue. I see this self-motivated and directed learning not only in my future learning, but also in the lives of my students as they go forward.They need the basic skills to utilize these programs, and then all they need is the motivation to continue learning.
Formal professional development will also play a large role in my continued learning. I have attended every and any relevant professional development in the past three years of my teaching career.I jump at the chance to learn from others. Sometimes professional development could improve, or don’t meet expectations, but I usually leave learning at least one new thing that I can use in my own learning, as well as that of my students. I’ve also lead sessions for district and CESA conferences. I actually learn more from these experiences at times. The preparation and organization is useful, but the success is the interactivity and collaboration that the material fosters in those attending the session. I know that whether I continue in education or not, I will want to consistently attended professional development and strive to present information and learn from others.
The very last form of learning that takes place on a daily basis in the school district is the various professional learning communities. At various grade levels horizontally through all departments and at vertical levels, this collaboration regarding curriculum, assessments, and classroom management is priceless. The variety in classroom management styles and demographic of students provides for the best opportunity to converse with colleagues when advice is needed, or reflection on a particular lesson or assessment is puzzling. I value all opinions expressed in these meetings and know that I can learn from each teacher at any grade level or content area.
Overall, I see my future as a learner being very self-motivated and directed. I am not sure the direction it will take, but I know that it will almost always involve technology, and will be through various avenues.
Generally, learning in the future will be very different from what it is today. The ways in which we as students learn and obtain new information has changed drastically in recent years. This constant evolution of learning has provided students with specific affordances, but with change comes some apprehension. My learning environment will change, but also my professional working environment as well. Throughout this program I’ve learned that there are many avenues for educator or professional collaboration. Creating a professional learning network will be essential to my continued learning. I’ve realized that all of the information that I would ever need is out there in the physical or digital world, I just have to figure out a way to find, research, read, analysis, and organize it for the benefit of my future students and myself.
Besides my communication and interaction with fellow students in the program, I currently participate in many social networking programs that are directed toward my content area or technology specifically. Following other professionals on Twitter has provided many updates on new programs or resources. Specifically, the networking program Ning has proved to be extremely beneficial for planning and communicating with other educators nationwide, specifically on the subject of English and integrating technology into the new Common Core curriculum. This network not only provides me with various resources, but it also forces me to look ahead at curriculum and reflect on past experiences and assessments to determine their worth and success level. If I am sharing material with other educators, I want to provide them with quality resources and sufficient information regarding the implementation. I will continue with this type of collaborative learning until a new networking avenue becomes available.
Another resource that I hope to maintain and grow, is my RSS reader. I strive to keep it organized and make additions. At times it can be difficult to consistently read the new content and maintain a reading schedule. But I learn so much from blogs regarding technology and new resources. This type of learning has a domino effect; browsing bloggers pages and networks, leads me to new blogs that I begin to following and this pattern seems to continue. I see this self-motivated and directed learning not only in my future learning, but also in the lives of my students as they go forward.They need the basic skills to utilize these programs, and then all they need is the motivation to continue learning.
Formal professional development will also play a large role in my continued learning. I have attended every and any relevant professional development in the past three years of my teaching career.I jump at the chance to learn from others. Sometimes professional development could improve, or don’t meet expectations, but I usually leave learning at least one new thing that I can use in my own learning, as well as that of my students. I’ve also lead sessions for district and CESA conferences. I actually learn more from these experiences at times. The preparation and organization is useful, but the success is the interactivity and collaboration that the material fosters in those attending the session. I know that whether I continue in education or not, I will want to consistently attended professional development and strive to present information and learn from others.
The very last form of learning that takes place on a daily basis in the school district is the various professional learning communities. At various grade levels horizontally through all departments and at vertical levels, this collaboration regarding curriculum, assessments, and classroom management is priceless. The variety in classroom management styles and demographic of students provides for the best opportunity to converse with colleagues when advice is needed, or reflection on a particular lesson or assessment is puzzling. I value all opinions expressed in these meetings and know that I can learn from each teacher at any grade level or content area.
Overall, I see my future as a learner being very self-motivated and directed. I am not sure the direction it will take, but I know that it will almost always involve technology, and will be through various avenues.