Module 2 - Moving Mindsets

The mindset I think I would have the hardest time changing in my classroom would be the idea I have that if I am not talking to the whole class all the time, I am not teaching.  I only see my students once a week (50 minutes) or twice a week (50 minutes times two).  I feel that the time I have with them is precious and it is hard for me to hand them all ipads and let them work with the device instead of me.  Yes, I still walk around and interact with the kids while they work with the device but it always feels a little like I'm not doing my job if I am not actively engaged with all my students most of the time.  I'd love it if the kids could all have their own ipads so that I could spend our class time showing them what they can do with them but they could do the actual exploring/creating outside of my room.  I strongly feel that time spent in class should be time spent engaging with the teacher.  Am I willing to change?  A little.  I can give up some time with my kids to let them explore and create on the device but I never want my elementary music classroom to become a place where it is the norm for the student to be more engaged with a device than with making music with me and the other students in the room.

Reflection Module 1

The question:

Which set of digital standards would you be most likely to use as a point of reference in your professional situation? What characteristics of those standards make them the best choice?

My Answer:

I find that iste-nets.t standards speak to me the most. I am an elementary music teacher who is looking to expand the opportunities that my students have to interact with both me and my subject area after the school day ends. I am most interested in standards that support creativity and communication. Standard 1 - Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity and Standard 2 - Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments are exactly what I am about (except for the assessment part - assessments wouldn’t be necessary in an optional, enrichment, extension-of-my-class online environment for elementary music students).

My Evaluation:

Examination and analysis - I feel that I am effective here.  I believe that I am focused on how nets.t standards 1 and 2 apply to my somewhat unique situation as an elementary music teacher.

Use of evidence - This one seems to be evolving.  I don't really have professional or personal experiences incorporated or evidence from readings.  I am not sure the question really lends itself to that type of answer.

Presentation of ideas - I like exceptional for this.  I think my ideas are clear.

Collaboration - Evolving/Effective- (see peer response below) I believe I expand on the topic.  I feel that I show how my choice of standard would also apply to their situation.  I did not ask any open ended questions.

Here is my peer response:

Motivation is everything, isn’t it, for both the teacher and the student.  It is so hard to teach to people who aren’t motivated to learn.  I have a very hard time standing there saying things I have said thousands of other times to people who aren’t really paying attention or showing any interest. As an elementary music teacher, I feel that it is my responsibility to create that motivating environment that makes my kids excited to be there.  I use a lot of technology to do that but I also know that if the kids got to use the iPads every time they came to music that excitement would soon disappear.  I chose nets.t because the first standard is about inspiration and creativity.  I want my kids to be inspired so much that they have the motivation to go home and use the online resources I create for them to continue their learning. I think standard one from the nets.t complements your choice of IN Standard 2.4 about keeping the students motivated and engaged.