Teaching in the 21st Century

Digital Citizenship is paramount in today’s society because the use of social media is on the rise and the individuals who are accessing this information continue to get younger and younger. Social media will not go away. The students in our class are born into the world with touch screen and devices. These devices have icons and lingo that is a new language! As educators, it is our responsibility to teach our students about the benefits of the different programs that are available, while at the same time, educating them about the dangers they can present as well. It is all about informing them of how to properly use the tools. It is about creating and expanding their critical literacy which encompasses all aspects of technology and the integration of various new apps and add-ons available. This year, my students had the challenge to research a different social media app and learn about the pros and cons it presents. They then presented their findings to the rest of the class. This was very informative and beneficial for the students because it was something that was applicable to their daily lives and a lot of them admitted that they didn’t know much about all of the privacy settings. It was something that they just “Agreed to” not knowing what they are agreeing to. I found this to be scary especially because the use of social media makes people brave and often gives them a voice. People often say what is on their mind because they don’t feel threatened or nervous. Unfortunately, the misuse of social media is becoming more of a problem in the legal system with cyberbullying, the distribution of inappropriate pictures and sextexting. Therefore, we need to teach our students about the dos and don’ts around social media. Some of the strategies that I can use in promoting digital citizenship is by my example. I think that if other colleagues see me using the various resources (e.g. interactive media such as Twitter, Google Plus Account, Blogging, etc.), I will be modelling the behaviours of a Digital Citizen who is aware of the diversity and needs of the communities and families that are growing in 2017. As well,  Tanya Avrith explores digital citizenship as students “doing” in meaningful ways so that parents support this type of learning. She comments on the need for us to change our practice to target the students and the ways in which their brains are programmed today! Thus, continual reflection, risk taking will be essential in continuing to foster growth within both our class and staff community. One of the Catholic Graduate Expectations is to be a Responsible Citizen who acts morally and legally in our society and accepts ownership for one’s actions. This embracing the understanding that we have a right to utilize these resources, but we also have a right to be aware of the implications this use has on us, our image and how we are portrayed in the eyes of the public as Catholic Educators. Thus, continual investigation of the purpose of each of these new technologies available to us, reflecting on how it betters the development of our students, school and community, will allow us to grow in our fast changing communities as informed, conscious and strong Catholics who are rooted in the Gospel values!

Reflecting on my Journey

After embarking on this 10 day digital challenge journey, my understanding of the importance of allowing myself to take risks, try new things, and engage in professional dialogue while utilizing various platforms and digital tools has been enhanced. I am beginning to feel as if there is a vast knowledge and understanding of the new emerging pedagogy that targets our 21st Century learners or generation Z (as they are now called this) within our classrooms and communities. Our students need to be stimulated, engaged, and motivated as part of the learning. They need to make connections so they can see how the “learning” is relevant for them! Textbooks, novels, and other printed forms are a great resource, but because of the speed of knowledge transfer, digital methods of communication whether it be blogging, performing a google search or using social media to search and discover new “ah-ha” moments or strategies becomes quicker, readily accessible and more up to date. These innovative methods are changing our society, educational practices, and workplace. However, we need to remember that we are humans and caring, compassion, and understanding, also have a significant impact on the development and learning of our students. I am a firm believer that our students may not remember every piece of curriculum we taught them throughout the school year, but they will always remember how we made them feel.

As I move forward to on professional journey, I will continue to follow various educators on Twitter in order to develop a grasp on new initiatives, ideas, and possible connections people are making across the world.This global audience gives me an opportunity to celebrate successes, tackle challenge and dialogue. Although becoming immersed in these technologies was challenging, it has brought new light which I hope to continue to develop throughout my career. I am very proud of myself for what I have accomplished over the past few months, and now it is about setting goals to continue to implement these technological tools on a regular basis. I need to learn to be more proficient with Twitter and Blogger so that I feel confident being a digital leader to others. I know that I will get there, I just need a little more practice. Eric Sheninger states “I don't find the time to learn and get better. I make the time to learn and get better.” Ultimately, no matter how much I move forward as a digital leader, I never want to lose sight of the people in front of me, my students and staff, and the fact that they need love and understanding. #PQP10

My Very First Blog!

My Very First Blog!

Well, here am I ready to expand my professional journey. I really contemplated what to write about for my very first time, however within a few minutes it came to mind - my professional growth and reflection over the past few months. Since enrolling in the PQP 1 course, I have had the opportunity to meet new people, learn about different philosophies and approaches in education, review the legalities of the profession, and reflect on my own practice. It has allowed me to analyze my strengths and areas of needs moving forward in my journey. I truly treasure the opportunity of collaborating with others, learning from them and hearing other people’s opinions. It enables me reflect on my own practices and gain ideas to implement into my teaching. I believe that this is valuable in our changing profession because the 21st century initiatives are happening so quickly, that working with others enables us to gain their perspectives and insight on topics and curriculum expectations. In addition, we are able to teach each other. I will admit that this course has made me stretch my limits and learn new concepts, especially in the technological world. I am a believer that professional development of some kind should be mandated to take us out of our comfort zones, in order to keep up with the times. Yes, I agree that it can be overwhelming sometimes, however in the end, it is often invigorating. It sparks new ideas, new thinking, and new strategies to building a stronger pedagogy. The one challenge I still face in all of this is finding balance. I promised myself that this year, 2017, was going to be about me, and I guess it is to some point because I am pursuing my career, however I still put my own personal needs aside. This is something I need to change. I need to continue to find a way to goal set or manage my time more effectively. Here’s to trying! #PQP10