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Here is the link to my TILTnet page
About the AuthorErin Moore graduated from San Diego State University in Fall of 2006 with a degree in psychology. After that, she then went to (way) Northern California to get a multiple subjects teaching credential at Humboldt State University. Now, Erin is a 4th grade teacher in California. She is content with her dream job - and is so excited at all the opportunities that have come her way! Erin loves to balance hard work and fun in her classroom. If you walk into her class on any given day, you will be welcomed into the organized chaos. Students work throughout the classroom, and are collaborating on a variety of activities. When she is not teaching adorably sweet/squirrelly children, Erin likes to watch movies, play games, reading, and hanging with her hubby and two kitties. Reflections on your JourneyMy experience in the Innovative Learning Master's Program has been challenging and rewarding. The program forced me to branch out, and try new things. From that, the program also taught me how to be comfortable with failure, and to figure out what to do next. I appreciated the support from my teachers as I ventured out to try new technology in my own classroom, as well as a listening ear from my cohort as I explained either a mishap or a success. Lastly, I enjoyed being around such brave teachers - always willing to try something new, and share ideas with others. I am a new teacher because of this program!Lasting Learning from the Innovative Learning programThe Innovative Learning Program has taught me so much. Through the sessions with my cohort, as well as my own experience in my classroom, I had a few major takeaways: - Don't be afraid to try something NEW (especially when it comes to technology in the classroom)! - Students generally LOVE technology, and at times, know about apps/sites more than I do... - Choice in a classroom is priceless - what better way to have student "buy-in?" - Visuals are key. Think images, videos, infographics, etc., as a great way to communicate information.TPACK ReflectionsThe "T" in TPACK has been the area of focus for me, and I believe the growing focus for educators as we make our classroom fit for our students the 21st century. My research and application in my classroom is focused around technology. More importantly, I used the SAMR model to make sure that my students we learning and creating in ways that would be impossible without the technology. As teachers work to improve their "T" area of the TPACK model, and hope to meet the needs of their (iPad using, app downloading, youtube using, google searching) students - I hope that they look to this website and the resources available in order to have something they can use and apply in their own classroom.Next StepsAs I enter my 4th year of teaching 4th grade, I am also entering a new position. This year will be my first year of teaching half time, and being an elementary literacy coach the other half of the time. I am incredibly excited to take all that I have learned about using technology in (and out) of the classroom, and share that with other educators. It was so interesting to think that I have been teaching at a school for the last 3 years, and while I have seen the mission statement, I could not tell you what is written in our mission statement! It took to being asked to find my schools’ mission statement to get me to really read it, and consider it within my own goals/ideas for our school.
A large part of the mission statement aligns with my social goals for our school. I, too, want to “provide students with a positive and safe learning environment,” as well as expect our students to be “tolerant and respectful of others”. On the other hand, there is no mention of technology in our school’s mission statement. While they do mention that we encourage students to build “skills to shape their future”, there is no specific mention of what tools we are providing so our students can build those skills. However, our elementary school does encourage the use of technology, and provides adequate materials and training for teachers. It would be nice to see our mission statement change in order to match more specifically what we are currently doing in our classrooms. On the last day of school (last week), I was approached about taking some more leadership/responsibilities for next year. After school got out, I got an official call - so next year, I will be teaching half time, and coaching other elementary educators in our district the other half of the time. This means that I will be sharing a classroom and a class, and be able to work on some of my leadership skills.
Therefore, this blog topic was perfectly timed. It is definitely weird to think about this new position next year, and all the things that I will have to do as a leader for my co workers. I am definitely going to have to be confident in my craft, and caring with the suggestions that I give to others. In order to make sure change happens, I will have to make sure that I have a goal in mind, as well as smaller steps that I can take in order to get there. Although I'm not sure exactly what that will be like at this exact moment, I am excited to begin thinking about it :) Erin Moore graduated from San Diego State University in Fall of 2006 with a degree in psychology. After that, she then went to (way) Northern California to get a multiple subjects teaching credential at Humboldt State University. Now, Erin is a 4th grade teacher in California. She is content with her dream job - and is so excited at all the opportunities that have come her way!
Erin loves to balance hard work and fun in her classroom. If you walk into her class on any given day, you will be welcomed into the organized chaos. Students work throughout the classroom, and are collaborating on a variety of activities. When she is not teaching adorably sweet/squirrelly children, Erin likes to watch movies, play games, reading, and hanging with her hubby and two kitties. Here we go - another semester in the Master's program! To say I was grateful for a week or so off is an understatement :)
I have been thinking as summer approaches that most of the work for our program has been done. We have written essays, researched, researched, researched, and applied our learning to our own classrooms. That being said, now is the time to try out some of the tools, and show others our wonderful work! I can't wait to create a space to share what I have learned with other educators! All I ask of others in my cohort is for patience, and advice. Patience because I worry about completing homework with 2 classes a week. In addition, advice because I am always looking for some good feedback on my project! |