I must admit that at the beginning of my teaching career I was not focused on digital literacy. Many friends even commented "You are too young to not care about technology". At the time, I felt that technology in the classroom was just a way to add bells and whistles to a classroom to make education look blingy.
Needless to say, I do not believe this anymore.
I see now that the digital world is just as relevant and, well, real, as the 'real world' to many people. Once I opened my eyes to the fact my students are immersed in this world, I saw an abundance of potential in their interests and passion for the digital world into the classroom.
Since I have embrassed the digital world in my teaching, my students have been extremely receptive. I have integrated 'Global Read Aloud' in to my Language Arts class. My students love the book and love communicating their ideas digitally. I have also begun to us twitter as a formative assessment method. Students write exit slips or interesting facts they have learned in tweets to share on our classroom twitter. My students love it! To some out there, this may seem like baby steps, but I am motivated to keep moving forward.
But my students' engagement has not been the best part - though it has been great. I have been the one who has benefitted the most from this new found interest in the digital world. Not only have I put myself back into the shoes of 'student' - learning new things nearly everyday - but I have been exploring a brand new world of oppurtunity as an educator.
As a student of the digital world, I have experienced the excitement I want my students to feel in my classroom. When I integrate my new found digital skills into the classroom, it elicits the responds I want from my students.
As a teacher, so many amazing ideas, reflections and networking oppurtunities have emerged while using my twitter. I am shocked that something of which I used to be so critical, has become so essential to my professional growth.
In closing, I encourage those still hesitant of technology integration to jump in, you might just be amazed. For those who have a broader and deeper understanding of the digital world, please, keep sharing your powerful ideas!
Jessica Marcotte
@jmarcotte85
Needless to say, I do not believe this anymore.
I see now that the digital world is just as relevant and, well, real, as the 'real world' to many people. Once I opened my eyes to the fact my students are immersed in this world, I saw an abundance of potential in their interests and passion for the digital world into the classroom.
Since I have embrassed the digital world in my teaching, my students have been extremely receptive. I have integrated 'Global Read Aloud' in to my Language Arts class. My students love the book and love communicating their ideas digitally. I have also begun to us twitter as a formative assessment method. Students write exit slips or interesting facts they have learned in tweets to share on our classroom twitter. My students love it! To some out there, this may seem like baby steps, but I am motivated to keep moving forward.
But my students' engagement has not been the best part - though it has been great. I have been the one who has benefitted the most from this new found interest in the digital world. Not only have I put myself back into the shoes of 'student' - learning new things nearly everyday - but I have been exploring a brand new world of oppurtunity as an educator.
As a student of the digital world, I have experienced the excitement I want my students to feel in my classroom. When I integrate my new found digital skills into the classroom, it elicits the responds I want from my students.
As a teacher, so many amazing ideas, reflections and networking oppurtunities have emerged while using my twitter. I am shocked that something of which I used to be so critical, has become so essential to my professional growth.
In closing, I encourage those still hesitant of technology integration to jump in, you might just be amazed. For those who have a broader and deeper understanding of the digital world, please, keep sharing your powerful ideas!
Jessica Marcotte
@jmarcotte85
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