Getting Closer…

As I begin week ten of my twelve week class, I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone. I have moved so far beyond what was my comfort zone in this particular class it is amazing. I find myself trying new technologies and learning right along with my students. Navigating the world of social media, using technology to plan and teach lessons and blogging are all things I would never have thought of. While the school I work in has plenty of computers for each student in every class I don’t think most teachers look beyond the regular researching or game/reward part of technology. I have moved into using technology to help students meet their learning objectives and reach their goals. In my class, using a computer to play games is not what we do with our computers. I can find a book for the kids that relates to the learning objective I am teaching and students can all read the same book but the program we use allows the students to read the same book but at their reading level. They are all getting the same knowledge but just in different ways that makes it easier for them to comprehend. I have been talking a lot about the things I have learned in this class and I find I am passing this information on to the other teachers in the building who are just as excited. As I continue on my journey to becoming a certified teacher I need to keep in mind that while I may have to do some things that take me out of my comfort zone from time to time in the end, it will only make me that much better of a teacher. I can bring more knowledge and excitement into my future classroom thanks to stepping out of my comfort zone. I can explain to the kids that while it may make you feel uncomfortable doing something you have never done before, the best part of the journey is learning how to do it, having confidence in yourself knowing you did it and helping to teach others how to do it!