Currently I have no idea what I would like to do in regards to my future. I enjoy teaching middle school business, and feel that if things work out, could be doing that for a long time. The good part about teaching business, so much of the curriculum is technology based so the information I am learning in these classes will benefit me in my classroom. I would be crazy to say that I will be teaching for twenty five more years. I do like the idea of possibly becoming a technology facilitator at a school. In the county in which I am living, high school technology facilitators are not assigned a specific school, but are members of team and go and help teachers at all the schools. I see the good and bad with a system like that, but it would at least provide change on a regular basis. For middle and elementary they are assigned a specific school which is good, but I think it would be fun to work with a lot of new people.
I do feel that the information I have learned from this and my other courses is very beneficial to me as a teacher. Even if I do not go into a specific technology position, I feel that I will be a better teacher as a result of the information I am learning.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
My Thoughts on ISD
There are a number of ISD models for individuals to use. Being a teacher the model that I use the most is the ADDIE model which stands for Analyze, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. I did not realize I was using an ISD model to plan my lessons until about eight weeks ago. Most teachers when preparing a lesson or unit usually go through this model to make sure what they are teaching best suits their student's needs, but most do not realize that what they are doing has a specific name.
If done properly, creating a lesson using the ADDIE model will be a strong lesson for students. Every step included is centered around student needs. To me, it is obvious that student needs should be the focal point of any lesson a teacher writes up. The problem is when there are a lot of different kinds of needs in one class.
The analysis stage in this model to me is probably the most important. This is when you determine what kind of students you have in the classroom, and try and figure out the best way to teach them the information. The design is using the information that you gathered from the analysis, and starting to generate an outline of how to present the information. Development is getting all the information together to present the lesson. Implementation is probably the second most important, but probably the hardest stage in the model. Delivering the information is crucial because this is when your students receive the instruction. This is when all the work the teacher has done pays off, or the teacher realizes they have to do more. For me the delivery is usually the hardest. I tend to ramble and not be so direct with what I say, therefore I lose some of the information when I try to present it. The last part of the ADDIE model is the evaluation. This is also a crucial part of a teacher, because they find out if their students truly understood the information. This is important because teachers realize whether they can go on to another topic, or find a different way to teach the current information again.
Through this reading and the other classes I have taken, I realize that the most important part of conducting any lesson is analysis. Knowing who you are teaching will help prepare a teacher or any other person who is instructing individuals.
If done properly, creating a lesson using the ADDIE model will be a strong lesson for students. Every step included is centered around student needs. To me, it is obvious that student needs should be the focal point of any lesson a teacher writes up. The problem is when there are a lot of different kinds of needs in one class.
The analysis stage in this model to me is probably the most important. This is when you determine what kind of students you have in the classroom, and try and figure out the best way to teach them the information. The design is using the information that you gathered from the analysis, and starting to generate an outline of how to present the information. Development is getting all the information together to present the lesson. Implementation is probably the second most important, but probably the hardest stage in the model. Delivering the information is crucial because this is when your students receive the instruction. This is when all the work the teacher has done pays off, or the teacher realizes they have to do more. For me the delivery is usually the hardest. I tend to ramble and not be so direct with what I say, therefore I lose some of the information when I try to present it. The last part of the ADDIE model is the evaluation. This is also a crucial part of a teacher, because they find out if their students truly understood the information. This is important because teachers realize whether they can go on to another topic, or find a different way to teach the current information again.
Through this reading and the other classes I have taken, I realize that the most important part of conducting any lesson is analysis. Knowing who you are teaching will help prepare a teacher or any other person who is instructing individuals.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Student Learning and Understanding
Through my experiences being a middle school business teacher, I have noticed that my students learn in a variety of ways. I have those students that can read an assignment and remember the information for the rest of the quarter. Then there are some students who need to see the information come to life. This can be done through acting out certain concepts, or hands on activities. The last kind of learning style that I have come across is the one where the students have to continually repeat the information over and over until finally somehow it sinks in. This is sometimes the most difficult and frustrating way to teach, because you continually repeat the same information over and over, and it can sometimes seem the students just don't get it or care.
I feel all students can learn. The problem that we are facing as educators is our students have been taught that if there is a problem, they will be given the answer without digging for the answer themselves. I currently have a student who on every assignment makes the comment that he doesn't understand, or he cannot do it. When I go over to help I find out he has not tried to solve the problem, but was waiting for me to come and solve it for him. Unfortunately I am seeing this behavior more and more. One way I have worked on solving this is by saying I will not accept any answer that has "I don't know" in it. Thankfully I have noticed some difference, but I realize that once they leave my class, there is a good chance that the next class will not challenge them.
The learning theory that I best relate to, is the constructivism approach. Unless students do not listen at all in or out of school, they have some idea of what is going on in the world. I teach a subject in which they can bring up material that relates to them. Through leading questions, usually I can have a pretty good conversation on business issues that relate to my students, and when my students leave, they feel they learned something pertinent. Last week after the vice presidential debate my classes wanted to discuss what was said. I moderated the conversation, but they used personal experiences to defend issues and teach each other about the issues going on with the presidential election. It was truly an amazing class.
I feel all students can learn. The problem that we are facing as educators is our students have been taught that if there is a problem, they will be given the answer without digging for the answer themselves. I currently have a student who on every assignment makes the comment that he doesn't understand, or he cannot do it. When I go over to help I find out he has not tried to solve the problem, but was waiting for me to come and solve it for him. Unfortunately I am seeing this behavior more and more. One way I have worked on solving this is by saying I will not accept any answer that has "I don't know" in it. Thankfully I have noticed some difference, but I realize that once they leave my class, there is a good chance that the next class will not challenge them.
The learning theory that I best relate to, is the constructivism approach. Unless students do not listen at all in or out of school, they have some idea of what is going on in the world. I teach a subject in which they can bring up material that relates to them. Through leading questions, usually I can have a pretty good conversation on business issues that relate to my students, and when my students leave, they feel they learned something pertinent. Last week after the vice presidential debate my classes wanted to discuss what was said. I moderated the conversation, but they used personal experiences to defend issues and teach each other about the issues going on with the presidential election. It was truly an amazing class.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Instructional Technology Job Posting
I am finally back on the blog. I have finally realized how this whole thing works, so I should be on track now.
I have been interested in a job in Instructional Design for some time, and when I saw this assignment I thought about the job posting for a technology facilitator for a elementary school in the school system that I work. I figure I will probably become a technology facilitator at some point, so I decided to look in other areas for a job in the field. I found one using Monster.com in the Raleigh area. The job is an Instructional Designer for First Citizens Bank. I have heard good things about First Citizen Bank, but due to recent economic issues, I have not heard how stable the bank is within this market. This particular job is at the Morrisville branch, which in my opinion would not be a bad place to live.
Job requirements for this position include:
*At least a four year degree
*Two years of developmental experience
The following are taken from the web site for other qualifications that would be good to have.
*Experience designing online courseware.
* Ability to design in compliance to department standards using templates, naming conventions, and protocols.
* Comprehensive knowledge of and demonstrated ability to apply current instructional design principles, theories, and philosophy.
* Strong oral and written communication skills.
* Organizational and negotiation skills.
* Diplomatic and proactive problem-solving.
* Demonstrated ability to work well in a collaborative team environment.
* Demonstrated ability to lead through influence at multiple organizational levels.
* Ability to bring creative, innovative approaches.
There is not a link for salary, but the work title is considered to be experienced (non manager) It would be a salaried position which should provide benefits.
In looking up this job I realized that there are other positions out there in this field other than in a school system. I would be interested in a job like this because it appears to be structured and would give me valuable experience within this field.
I have been interested in a job in Instructional Design for some time, and when I saw this assignment I thought about the job posting for a technology facilitator for a elementary school in the school system that I work. I figure I will probably become a technology facilitator at some point, so I decided to look in other areas for a job in the field. I found one using Monster.com in the Raleigh area. The job is an Instructional Designer for First Citizens Bank. I have heard good things about First Citizen Bank, but due to recent economic issues, I have not heard how stable the bank is within this market. This particular job is at the Morrisville branch, which in my opinion would not be a bad place to live.
Job requirements for this position include:
*At least a four year degree
*Two years of developmental experience
The following are taken from the web site for other qualifications that would be good to have.
*Experience designing online courseware.
* Ability to design in compliance to department standards using templates, naming conventions, and protocols.
* Comprehensive knowledge of and demonstrated ability to apply current instructional design principles, theories, and philosophy.
* Strong oral and written communication skills.
* Organizational and negotiation skills.
* Diplomatic and proactive problem-solving.
* Demonstrated ability to work well in a collaborative team environment.
* Demonstrated ability to lead through influence at multiple organizational levels.
* Ability to bring creative, innovative approaches.
There is not a link for salary, but the work title is considered to be experienced (non manager) It would be a salaried position which should provide benefits.
In looking up this job I realized that there are other positions out there in this field other than in a school system. I would be interested in a job like this because it appears to be structured and would give me valuable experience within this field.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
A Initial Definition of Instructional Technology
Once I received this question I began to process what was being asked, and it took me a while to actually come up with an answer. However, I feel that the following is a decent definition of Instructional Technology.
Instructional Technology is the process in which one can explain or deliver information to someone else by using technology. This information can come in many forms such as word documents, text messages, PowerPoint presentations, interactive materials such as Smart Boards or even overhead projectors. Instructional Technology can be used in all walks of life from education to corporate business. Anytime someone needs to communicate with someone else and they use technology they are taking part in Instructional Technology.
In schools there are a number of ways a teacher, student, or administrator can use Instructional Technology. There are common examples such as Smart Boards, projectors, computers, etc. I am not sure if this is common in schools K-12, but I have been in schools where courses are done through web TV. It was a high school in which I did my student teaching, there was a staff member who watched the class for discipline issues, but a professor at the local community college taught the course. I don't know if the concept became popular, maybe some of you have heard of that, but I found it interesting. This course is another example of how instructional technology has transformed. It will be interesting to see the advancements of technology and how information can be delivered to individuals in the future.
On a side note, we live in the technology age so when technology is mentioned we think, or at least I think of electronic equipment. However there is no mention of electronic equipment in the definition of technology. Therefore, other forms of instructional technology could come from oral stories, pen and paper, paintings; anything that allows someone to instruct someone else.
Instructional Technology is the process in which one can explain or deliver information to someone else by using technology. This information can come in many forms such as word documents, text messages, PowerPoint presentations, interactive materials such as Smart Boards or even overhead projectors. Instructional Technology can be used in all walks of life from education to corporate business. Anytime someone needs to communicate with someone else and they use technology they are taking part in Instructional Technology.
In schools there are a number of ways a teacher, student, or administrator can use Instructional Technology. There are common examples such as Smart Boards, projectors, computers, etc. I am not sure if this is common in schools K-12, but I have been in schools where courses are done through web TV. It was a high school in which I did my student teaching, there was a staff member who watched the class for discipline issues, but a professor at the local community college taught the course. I don't know if the concept became popular, maybe some of you have heard of that, but I found it interesting. This course is another example of how instructional technology has transformed. It will be interesting to see the advancements of technology and how information can be delivered to individuals in the future.
On a side note, we live in the technology age so when technology is mentioned we think, or at least I think of electronic equipment. However there is no mention of electronic equipment in the definition of technology. Therefore, other forms of instructional technology could come from oral stories, pen and paper, paintings; anything that allows someone to instruct someone else.
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