This has certainly been quite a semester! I have thought several times that I would not be able to continue due to my unfortunate, temporal limitation of having only twenty-four hours each day. However, I am glad I stuck around. Having been out of school as a student for almost fifteen years and having been out of the classroom as a teacher for almost twenty years, I have gained a great deal of student experience and perspective. I hope to put this experience to use shaping and re imagining much of my school’s online content this year.
As to academics, I have first and foremost enjoyed interacting with the other educators in my cohort on a variety of topics and projects. I can honestly say that I am mightily encouraged by the quality of thought I have seen demonstrated by these educators. This is important to see in an era of teacher-bashing where public education is a favorite target of monied self-interests and, not coincidentally, media outlets of all stripes. I get to see quality instruction everyday at my school but it is always refreshing to see that my experience is not the exception even though my television would have me believe otherwise.
Also in the academic vein, I have been introduced to some very handy reference materials as well. I will certainly use the Indicators of Instruction for Engagement, Empowerment, and Deep Understanding, Retention, and Transfer of Knowledge and the handouts on LoTi levels when working with teachers on their lessons in the future. Having a defined set of expectations and definitions can help immensely when dealing with subjects as potentially subjective as student engagement.
We educators are both cursed and blessed to live in interesting times. It has been my core belief for almost twenty years that technology holds the key to doing much more than setting knowledge free and levelling the playing field. I believe that technology will eventually allow a redefinition of the game itself. This new age of knowledge is what I wish for my children.
I hope to continue to be able to find the time and finances to continue this journey. At the end of the day, where schools are concerned, there is far too much at stake to slacken the pace of innovation. And I remain convinced that technology is where the game will change. Technology is the lever and education the place to stand. And the potent combination of those two may allow us to finally move the world.
As to academics, I have first and foremost enjoyed interacting with the other educators in my cohort on a variety of topics and projects. I can honestly say that I am mightily encouraged by the quality of thought I have seen demonstrated by these educators. This is important to see in an era of teacher-bashing where public education is a favorite target of monied self-interests and, not coincidentally, media outlets of all stripes. I get to see quality instruction everyday at my school but it is always refreshing to see that my experience is not the exception even though my television would have me believe otherwise.
Also in the academic vein, I have been introduced to some very handy reference materials as well. I will certainly use the Indicators of Instruction for Engagement, Empowerment, and Deep Understanding, Retention, and Transfer of Knowledge and the handouts on LoTi levels when working with teachers on their lessons in the future. Having a defined set of expectations and definitions can help immensely when dealing with subjects as potentially subjective as student engagement.
We educators are both cursed and blessed to live in interesting times. It has been my core belief for almost twenty years that technology holds the key to doing much more than setting knowledge free and levelling the playing field. I believe that technology will eventually allow a redefinition of the game itself. This new age of knowledge is what I wish for my children.
I hope to continue to be able to find the time and finances to continue this journey. At the end of the day, where schools are concerned, there is far too much at stake to slacken the pace of innovation. And I remain convinced that technology is where the game will change. Technology is the lever and education the place to stand. And the potent combination of those two may allow us to finally move the world.