Personal Learning Network
PLN entry#1
Do you think it’s important to be a connected educator? Why?
It is crucial to be a connected educator so that both students and parents are aware of class expectations and the course goals. Educators need to stay connected with parents by keeping them informed about what their children are learning in the course, important due-dates for assignments and where they can access the teacher if they have any concerns or questions. Parents like to be in the know so that they can make sure that their children are on-track in school. It is important to stay connected to students so that they can be successful in the class room. Students need organization, structure and guidance, all of which are dependent on the educator's ability to stay connected with students in order to keep them well-informed. Lastly, educators need to be connected to research and technology so that they are always learning and updating their lessons based on recent information. Educators have to be in touch with their content so that they are teaching their students topics that matter and are applicable to real life. Educators also have to know how to use the latest technology devices and applications in order to deliver their lessons in a creative, relevant manner. Evidently, being a connected educator is critical to being a successful educator for more reasons than just one.
PLN entry #2
Why is digital citizenship important to you as a future educator?
As a future educator, digital citizenship is essential to success in the classroom. As a teacher, I need to know how to use the newest technology tools and devices so that I can teach my students how to use them. Also, in order to keep things current and interesting for my students, I will have to be up-to-date on all of the latest technology trends. Let's face it, pen and paper is quite boring to today's students and so we have to make sure that we find ways to incorporate technology creatively into our classrooms and lessons. It is equally important to make sure that the technology that we do use in the classroom is safe for students and that it has been approved by the district and school for use. Technology is the future, and if I do not learn how to use and and keep up with it, I will not succeed as an educator. Recently, the Coronavirus pandemic forced many classrooms to become completely virtual. This means that teachers, students and parents alike all had to depend on technology for education. Teachers were forced to adapt and modernize. I would like to go into the field with all of the tech tools possible already under my belt so that I do not have to start from scratch like some teachers were forced to do when the pandemic hit. Being a digital citizen will allow me to communicate, create, organize and obtain important information for my classes and teach students how to used technology safely in order to create a positive online environment.
PLN entry #3
As an educator, why is it vital to continue to use different Web 2.o Tools in the classroom?
As an educator, it vital to continue to use different Web 2.0 tools in the classroom in order to keep students engaged and prepare them for a future surrounded by new technologies. Web 2.0 technologies allow students to become active, rather than passive learners. These technologies also provide endless supplemental materials for students, allowing them to learn new things anytime, anywhere. The technologies also cater to students with different learning styles, which is crucial. Web 2.0 tools make learning more fun for students, which means the content is absorbed and digested more easily. Overall, these technologies prepare students how to use and interact with technology in a way that is safe and effective, which will help them in their future careers.
PLN entry #4
Why is iMovie a useful instructional tech tool in the classroom? What are its benefits? Why should teachers use this tool to enhance their lessons?
iMovie is a useful instructional tech tool in the classroom because it allows the teacher to teach contents in an innovative way and it allows students to creatively express what they have learned. Students can interact with the content they are learning by applying it in an out-of-the-box way. iMovie also keeps students interested because it is a relevant tech tool that many students are familiar with already. It is fairly easy to access and even easier to use, which makes it an ideal tech tool for students and teachers alike. iMovie gives students and teachers the creative outlet to entertain and educate their audiences.
Teachers should use iMovie in their lessons to cater to different types of learners, visual and auditory. They should also use iMovie so that students can re-access the video outside of class or use it as a supplemental resource, making more time for teaching in class. Overall, iMovie makes teaching and learning more fun!
