Scenario

    I see that I am educator in the 21st century. This is an age where if information isn't shared through the Web or on a Website it probably is going to be useless to half the population. My students have been brought up in a time where computers and laptops are ubiquitous which means many will be able to navigate them with ease, or at least have had a chance to use one in their lifetime. I can't say the same for myself, but with my own education and training I have learned where to find some of the most incredible and useful tools that I feel will have a huge impact on my students' learning and creative abilities. Maybe some students dislike writing an essay or have the inability to fully express themselves in a written essay. I will not fight an upstream battle in this case, I can have them record a well-planned and balanced argument or informational essay using their computer and thus have them make a Podcast that iterates the same information that would have been otherwise untapped in a written assignment. I can assign students the task of making a video that gives them the opportunity to be creative and express their individuality. They can present these to their peers on their computers, as well as edit and share however they may choose. Likewise, no longer are we confined to our classroom, our city or even our country. Maybe my students would like to share information with students across the globe in China or Europe and consequently learn about a new culture in a way that is new, invigorating and not done by reading words in a textbook but rather done by listening to children their own age who live it everyday. Some days illnesses or extracurricular activities keep students out of class, rather then leave them to catch up to the rest of the class I can stream my lessons via the Web and this gives any other students the opportunity to go back and be reminded of what I covered in class. I'd do this will tools like Voicethread and by making my own Podcasts. It's an incredible age where if I needed to I could teach to a class that is not even in the same state as I am. Whatever the case may be, in the years ahead I know I will have a Mac. I will use the Internet and all its tools to teach students in a way that I know they will better appreciate because they already spend hours a day on the Internet as it is. I want to create a fully functional and efficient Website (Half of which I've already done, but I'm working to better it) so that students get up-to-date information, news and grades. I won't allow for cellphone use continuously throughout a class period but I will allow for students to use them as references because many students have apps that let them look up words in the dictionary, for example. I will let them research and never say that the information stops when my lesson stops but that my lessons are merely a jumping off point to get them started on the journey. Information surrounds us now and I think we must open them up to it. One stipulation is that they have a computer, the Internet and the desire to follow my lead in the exciting process of integrating technology into our classroom.