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Using PrBL in Middle School Math Lindley Home Learn More Inspiration About the Author |
About the Author
I began my teaching career long ago, when technology was a burgeoning thing. Email was the slick, shiny new toy to be rolled out by the district. I can clearly remember teachers across campus squealing with joy, that they could now collaborate in seconds rather than waiting for potentially hours. A lot has changed since then, as have I. Technology and the way we, as educators, approach teaching has changed since I began 16 years ago.
I began the journey in education as a third- grade teacher. It became apparent that I needed, nay, thrived on older students and their “snark”. I needed to be with students who groan and laugh politely at my jokes. I moved to fifth grade the next year. It was so nice that I taught elementary for a total of 14 years, before I made the move to middle school. While I loved having the same students for the entire day; all of the wonder and inquiry we accomplished day in and day out, it became apparent that I needed to move on.
Middle school is a special place. I can say that we do more than teach curriculum and content to this unique age group- we teach them how to interact in part of a larger community. Our jobs, of course, is to teach the standards, but it goes deeper than that. I have the opportunity to help these students on their path to becoming young adults, in person and with technology. This generation of students have the unique advantage to hone their skills through a variety of mediums.
Which brings me to my journey through Touro. I do not consider myself tech-savvy and was a little hesitant that I would not be able to keep up with my peers in this cohort. More importantly, my lack of skills were keeping me from being the best teacher I can be. Through the generosity of Napa Learns, I have had the ability to learn new technology and practices that I could never have dreamed of! I am excited to implement these new tools in the classroom to deepen the learning of my students and their 21st century skills, as well as helping all students achieve their learning goals.
I began the journey in education as a third- grade teacher. It became apparent that I needed, nay, thrived on older students and their “snark”. I needed to be with students who groan and laugh politely at my jokes. I moved to fifth grade the next year. It was so nice that I taught elementary for a total of 14 years, before I made the move to middle school. While I loved having the same students for the entire day; all of the wonder and inquiry we accomplished day in and day out, it became apparent that I needed to move on.
Middle school is a special place. I can say that we do more than teach curriculum and content to this unique age group- we teach them how to interact in part of a larger community. Our jobs, of course, is to teach the standards, but it goes deeper than that. I have the opportunity to help these students on their path to becoming young adults, in person and with technology. This generation of students have the unique advantage to hone their skills through a variety of mediums.
Which brings me to my journey through Touro. I do not consider myself tech-savvy and was a little hesitant that I would not be able to keep up with my peers in this cohort. More importantly, my lack of skills were keeping me from being the best teacher I can be. Through the generosity of Napa Learns, I have had the ability to learn new technology and practices that I could never have dreamed of! I am excited to implement these new tools in the classroom to deepen the learning of my students and their 21st century skills, as well as helping all students achieve their learning goals.
Reflections on your Journey
In the beginning of my journey I was concerned about my level of knowledge. Would I be able to keep up with peers in the increasing demands of technology? While I do consider myself somewhat knowledgeable with a computer, I am very much a dinosaur in my abilities. So, it was with great trepidation that I began this program. I was comforted to learn that we would be taking the process of discovery slowly and that I could ask many, many questions along the way. I felt that it was important for me to learn the teacher side of various programs before I tried introducing them to my students. I knew that great tools existed to aid students with their learning, I just needed to familiarize myself with them. The research helped me gain perspective on my role as a teacher, and as a learner myself.
In the middle of the program, I began to see the growth in my teaching. It was through careful discovery, implementation of both pedagogical and technical resources that I learned of TPACK. In the past, this might have been what Vygotsky called the "Zone of proximal development". Or that magical place where it all comes together for a student. But, what Vygotsky and his peers could not have predicted was the technological piece of learning. With TPACK, you are able to combine the best practices of content, pedagogy, and technology to enhance student learning. The middle part of the program was eye-opening for me, in that I saw technology as a partner in my teaching.
Now that I am in the final part of my journey with Touro, I see that my work is not done. I need to take what I have learned these past semesters and help other educators with their journey. Through the guided learning, discovery, and implementation, I no longer see myself as the dinosaur in the classroom. I am able to see how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together to make a better teacher. I will forever be grateful to Touro and Napa Learns, for helping me along this path of discovery.
In the middle of the program, I began to see the growth in my teaching. It was through careful discovery, implementation of both pedagogical and technical resources that I learned of TPACK. In the past, this might have been what Vygotsky called the "Zone of proximal development". Or that magical place where it all comes together for a student. But, what Vygotsky and his peers could not have predicted was the technological piece of learning. With TPACK, you are able to combine the best practices of content, pedagogy, and technology to enhance student learning. The middle part of the program was eye-opening for me, in that I saw technology as a partner in my teaching.
Now that I am in the final part of my journey with Touro, I see that my work is not done. I need to take what I have learned these past semesters and help other educators with their journey. Through the guided learning, discovery, and implementation, I no longer see myself as the dinosaur in the classroom. I am able to see how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together to make a better teacher. I will forever be grateful to Touro and Napa Learns, for helping me along this path of discovery.
Lasting Learning from the Innovative Learning program
As I move forward with my teaching, I know realize the importance inquiry learning and technology as a partner. It is important to me that I continue this learning process with my peers as well. I know that I work better as a collaborative group, and it would be beneficial if we discuss openly the teaching strategies we use. It is important that we meet the needs of all learners, as educators we can do this by using best teaching practices such as PrBL, and TPACK effectively. The ability to research, review, practice and align my teaching to those of my students needs is a practice I plan on continuing.
TPACK Reflection
TPACK, or Technology, Pedagogy, and Content Knowledge is the ability to blend all aspects into one, to not only inform teaching, but greatly enhance instruction. The intent is is for seamless integration of all components for the most effective learning. It is for me, the perfect blend of what I know to be good teaching practices, the content I am teaching, and the partnership that be used from technology. When I plan instruction, I no longer using technology as a filler, but more importantly, I am using it to help teach students the content or standards they need to learn. There is not one component that can be left left, all three must be in place for the most meaningful learning.
TPACK Reflection
TPACK, or Technology, Pedagogy, and Content Knowledge is the ability to blend all aspects into one, to not only inform teaching, but greatly enhance instruction. The intent is is for seamless integration of all components for the most effective learning. It is for me, the perfect blend of what I know to be good teaching practices, the content I am teaching, and the partnership that be used from technology. When I plan instruction, I no longer using technology as a filler, but more importantly, I am using it to help teach students the content or standards they need to learn. There is not one component that can be left left, all three must be in place for the most meaningful learning.
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Please click the link for more information about my journey.