How Will I use What I am Learning In My Teaching? This really is a moment of reflection...

When I think about my role as a classroom teacher and the Instructional Technology Leader for our school I ask myself how will I use what I am learning in this class and program overall. I had to look at the big picture how do I feel about what I am learning? When it comes to technology, I am like a kid in a candy store. I get excited and could absolutely spend countless hours PLAYING with it. I love to learn new things and share what I know. This week I spent time reading, testing out new programs, some of the programs...I have been searching for their capabilities for years. I found myself wondering how long they have existed before I found them. I try to justify the amount of time I spend "practicing" by saying I need to use it with my students, but I have to master it first.

In my role as ITL, part of my function is to help other educators in our school learn how to incorporate useful technology into the classroom learning environment, lesson plans and instructional practices. This is not always easy. In Chapter 9 of Supporting Learning with Technology: Essentials of Classroom Practice, I read about supporting teacher development. One particular section that resonated with me, Challenges for Teachers in Technology Professional Development, addressed several areas that I experience everyday. Time constraints, access, knowledge, working with parents and students with special needs have all been challenges in our building.

This portion of what I learned this week has help remind me that I am not the only one who is facing these types of challenges. As I scrambled to get my own assignments done, plan my lessons and syllabi for my three subject areas and two grades levels and just get through the other areas of life, my lack of time really screamed in my ear. As I learned about, practiced and used new technology tools this week the thought of how can I do this with the limited equipment we have in our building tapped me on the shoulder and poked me in the side. It reminded of the look on the faces of many of my coworkers when I approach them about collaboration or peer coaching time. I do understand their frustrations.

How will I use what I learned this week when I go back to my school and classroom? I will use what I learned in my reading to develop a plan to patiently support and share my old and new knowledge with my coworkers and students. I will work to effectively model for them when it is appropriate to use technology. I will continue to make and TAKE the time I need to develop, grow and enhance my own skills and abilities to be a the best educator that I can be. I know that for my students and for some of my coworkers I am a model of what and educator can be at my best or worst. I hope this answers the questions for you,for myself its only the beginning.