I have always enjoyed the rush associated with the first day of a new class. Questions like “Who will I know?”, “Who will I meet?”, "What will we learn?", and “How smart is everyone here?” dominate my thoughts. On the first night of my integrating technology class, things are somewhat abnormal as my classmates are all teaching colleagues. I know everyone and will meet no one new. The only unanswered questions then are what will we learn and just how smart is everyone here? By the end of class I am overwhelmed with knowledge and the realization that these are technologically savvy individuals.
Our instructor must be some sort of mind-ninja, as I have never left class with such a cloud in my brain. I was extremely overwhelmed with the information presented, and spent most of the class pestering Shawn Morgan and Debbie Bautista for help. In spite of my inabilities, I learned a great deal of information and even created this blog, a weeble account, and my own webinspiration concept map. While I am a total newb with these technological tools, I can already see the profound impact this course will have in my teaching and my classroom.
The blog is something I will use again and again, and hopefully my students while be able to reflect on it or create/use one of their own. The course I teach at CBHS, Ethics II-Christian Writings, is focused around two theoretical frameworks: the students must have a thorough knowledge of the terms and concepts, and then they must be able to creatively assess and reflect on these concepts. While it is easy to teach and asses facts, terms, and concepts, finding an outlet for students to express their changing beliefs is difficult. Currently I use a journal system for the students, but it is so archaic and limited in its design that it does little for helping students grapple with and express their thoughts. Giving the students the opportunity to blog may give students a better venue for expressing themselves.
Encouraging blogging also has the potential to change the way my students view the subject. Since my subject is grounded in writings that are almost 2,000 years old, most of my students enter the class with preconceived notions that the class is outdated and boring. I am constantly trying to find new methods to make the class current and relevant to today's student. The chaotic world in which we live provides ample opportunity for discussions relevant to our course, but the students do not always have the ability to connect with these topics. It seems possible to me that my students would be able to connect to topics and news more readily if it requires them to express their feelings in a venue familiar to them. Additionally, with the knowledge that what they share will be eternally accessible to all, I believe with blogging, my students will take their reflections far more seriously.
Looking back on the first night class, I would have to consider the evening a success. Now, if I can just find a way to become smarter than my smart phone, I will be pleased.
