Unit 2 Assignment - Building a Learning Community

      I enjoyed reading the article, "The New Literacy" by David Warlick. I found the four E’s to be very informative. As educators it is important to realize that we need to teach differently to prepare our students for the digital world. As I was reading this article I thought of a project that I have my students do every year on Christmas Around the World. Exposing Knowledge is using the resources available to research the topic given. With this project I let the students find the information about the country they are given. I do have the students find pictures that go with their report. As a fifth grader they have a flash drive that they organize their research on as well. Employing information makes me realize how important real world problems in math are to the student to make sense of how to apply the concept to their lives. I try hard to put real world problems into my teaching, but as I read this article I think it making computer projects with our problems would be a way to use technology in math class.
      Expressing Ideas compellingly showed me that it is not enough for the students to be able to produce a written paragraph but to use the information to communicate differently. My fifth graders are required to present a health report to the class. They not only have a written report, but they are required to make a PowerPoint to present the information. Ethics on the internet is making sure that the students understand that the research they find on the internet not only needs to be accurate but also when using information it needs to be in their own words. In my class, we take lots of time to focus on plagiarism before they begin a research project. As fifth graders this is a very difficult topic for them to comprehend. It is a daily instructional topic that we cover throughout the unit. This article had many good points and helps me realize that I need to use more technology projects in my classroom because the students learn better with technology.
       The video, "A Vision of Students Today" was very powerful. It was incredible to see what a powerful message the students made with just written words and a video. Students learn differently today, so as educators we need to teach differently. Use technology when presenting information in class and not just write notes on the chalkboard. We need to present the information in an interesting way so that the learners are engaged. I enjoyed watching this video and made me think about ways I need to change my teaching.
      "The IDEO’s Ten Tips for Creating a 21st Century Classroom Experience"  handout was very informative. It had many great tips for good teaching. The very first tip that was given is very important. Asking questions and seeking out the answers is a big part of learning. Helping the students to understand this concept will help the students become life-long learners. Engaging the students with something that is relevant to the student is also so important. If you are not interested in what is being taught it is a lot harder to want to learn.
      "7 Skills Students Need for their Future" video gave important skills for the students need to learn for a future. The first skill mentioned was critical thinking and problem-solving. Jobs are asking their employees for continuous improvement. Collaboration across networks and leading by influence is the second skill mentioned. In the work force you will be expected to be able to work as a team.  Agility and adaptability is the third skill. Jobs are changing quickly and everyday so as an employee you will need to be able to be flexible and change with the job.  Initiative and entrepreneurism is the fourth skill. The worker needs to be able to initiate and want to do better. Effective oral and written communication is the fifth skill. This is a skill that many employers say that is lacking in many candidates.  In most jobs communication will be a big part of their daily routine. Accessing and analyzing information is the sixth skill. This skill goes back to communication. Through communication the student needs to be able to analyze the information. Curiosity and imagination is the last skill. In a job you need to curious and want to go further than what is asked.
        I learned that our teaching needs to change to adapt to the learners in the classroom. Educators need to understand the students they have in class and engage them it what they are interested in. Motivate the students by using technology in the classroom to present the information in a different way. Hold the students to a higher level of accountability and that will help them prepare themselves for a job in the future.
         I think I am a digital native because I grew up using technology; however,  I am still learning new technology every day but I am able to figure it out on my own more than others around me. I would say I am in between native and immigrant, because as I look at my 2 year old nephew he is using an I-pad already and that wasn’t even available when I was younger. I’m still trying to incorporate more technology in my classroom because those students in my class are digital natives and that is the way they learn.