It is hard to believe that we are wrapping up our first year at NU. The time has flown by and we are ending it in a totally unexpected way. Katelyn and I figured the best way to write our last blog post would be to write it together…to collaborate. Collaborating online to write our final post fits the current situation and is a very appropriate way to capture the essence of educational technology. Without technology, how would we be able to finish up our year? We are very fortunate that we have had the opportunity to continue our learning through the online platform of Canvas Conferences here at NU and this experience has certainly been a memorable way to end our first year of Teacher’s College.
Technology is a powerful collaborative and instructional tool and, as teacher candidates, it is imperative that we fill our educational technology tool-boxes with the most current and applicable technology-based pedagogical resources and strategies to be prepared for the classroom! We also need to be prepared to guide our students to be responsible digital citizens, something we learned when we discussed Interland and Paul Davis. In addition, we need to be aware of human and material resources into which to tap for new information and recommendations now and in the future. We were lucky to have a learning environment within our cohort that helped us to develop our Professional Learning Network through social media, blogging etc. Throughout the time of this course we have learned about so many valuable tech-based tools to help us build relationships with other teachers, our students/their families, as well as the broader school community. This is something that will help us to provide a more meaningful and purpose driven learning experience for our students.
By taking advantage of all that educational technology has to offer, we can expand the classroom into the world, encouraging our students to analyze situations and possibilities through many different lenses, become critical thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and empathetic, global citizens! ISTE is a great source to help us achieve these goals in the classroom. ISTE readings have shown us that by empowering ourselves with technology focused tools and pedagogical approaches, we in turn empower the next generation of learners to be successful in the ever changing world that we live in.
Speaking of educational tool boxes….my once-empty tool box is filled with some fabulous tools, thanks to my fellow Cohort 14 people! This is just another example of the importance of making connections and collaborating with your fellow teachers and classmates.
Here are some tools that I intend to master and apply in the classroom: Raz Kids, Google Expedition, Google Earth, Story Jumper, Google AR, Vooks, OSMO, Kandinsky Method, Interland, and Pinterest, to name a few!
And who knows? …there may be another pandemic!! I will be prepared to collaborate with my colleagues and parents to have the best educational technology resources at hand to make online learning a great and productive experience for my students.
Snaps and claps for a great term,
Sarah and Katelyn
Cohort B 