Learning Educational Technology

http://www.education.txstate.edu/ci/degrees-certifications/graduate/edtech.html

Educational Technology has changed my views on the available resources that our education has. Unlike before, it only uses blackboards, manila papers and paper-pencil test. But look now! Education upgrades into a higher level of learning in the Philippines. It makes use of technology in fostering the learning of the students.

As an EdTech student, the topic I find most interesting is the use of Google Apps as Web 2.0 Tools. Why? Simply because Google Apps have many features to help me in my learning as well as to my future students like collaborative learning, storing and saving files; and monitoring the progress of the learners through the appropriate use of Google Apps.  Moreover, I don't find myself having difficulty from the lessons I've encountered in EdTech because I could review it all over again through the site that my teacher has provided me which is gg.gg/ed126. Using this site is pretty awesome because it is like I'm having a lesson proper in the internet. It has multiple activities to test my memory of how much I learnt from the discussion and also laboratory activities to check my knowledge and experience of the said lesson. However, I would be glad if the site turns into a butterfly, a colorful one to beautify the site. Yet, the totality of the course itself is unforgettable because I apply all the things I learnt from week 1 to 12 and to sum it up, the finished product which is my unit portfolio, is very fulfilling even if I underwent sleepless nights.

Overall, there's nothing more I could suggest to improve the teaching and learning process of educational technology. What's more important is the teacher who will handle the course because if he or she doesn't have the heart and passion to teach, then the teaching and learning process will be pointless. 

Growing Self-directed Learners

http://blog.agileclassrooms.com/2015/08/growing-self-direction-scaffolding-model.html

In today's generation, students must have developed the necessary skills to be more capable in different activities. One of which is being self-directed. Self-directedness is the ability to initiate something in order to achieve personal set of goals and values. This skill should be developed in all types of learners for them to be competent and most importantly, they learn at their best if they are the ones who take control of the flow of their experience.

Teachers take part of this evolution of their students. They hold a big responsibility to the betterment and welfare of their lives. Without the presence of teachers, students will not grow and mold their own talents. Thus, as a future teacher, I will help my students to become self-directed learners through engaging them in multiple activities. Such activities that will make use of their cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills. These are Online Treasure Hunt, WebQuest, Scavenging, Learning Logs, Personal Learning Network, and Learning Projects. Through these materials, I can assure myself that they learn something on their own doing.

Not just teachers have the ability to be self-directed, but also their learners as well. Teachers and students help each other to gain knowledge and promote active learning. Educators, therefore, perform an essential role to shape the holistic development of their learners.

Google Apps as Web 2.0 Tools

           Being a teacher must be flexible enough to handle his or her students' needs. One way of doing this is through making use of technologies designed to help teachers in their teaching strategies and to accommodate the learning of the students. An effective teacher finds a way to fill-in the necessary knowledge that his or her students' should have. Doing this will help the learners become a holistic person with no doubt in becoming a role model to others.

http://audreynay.weebly.com/gafe---google-apps-for-education.html

         As a future educator, the tools that I find useful or appropriate for my subject area are the use of google applications such as google drive where I can store and share my files online and collaborate towards my students' performance; gmail, hangouts and groups for communication; sites, blogger and YouTube for creating content for the purpose of my students' references and; google docs, sheets, slides and forms where I can produce a softcopy online. I will incorporate these tools in my unit plan through putting these tools into use and making sure that these tools are fit in my topic. In that way I can showcase my learners desired knowledge of the subject matter and flourish the act of being self-directed.

         In conclusion, the future of my learners lies in my hands, therefore, I am bound to do the best of my capabilities to foster the essential knowledge of my students. After all, teachers exist to mold and educate children.

As a future teacher, in what ways can you develop ISTE standards among your students?

          As a future teacher, I truly believe I can develop ISTE standards among my students through engaging them in group and hands-on activities wherein they will develop their own skills and capabilities in their own way. As their facilitator, I will just simply guide them on what to do because today's generation is more on performance-based task where the student is the center of his or her learning. As what the theory goes, 'learning by doing' is a notion in which competency is most likely accomplished through practice, self-perfection and minor innovations.

        It is, therefore, students will gain more knowledge if I will engage them in such activities where they can put their talents and skills into use.

What are the ISTE standards that you possess?

 ISTE or known as International Society for Technology in Education refers to the skills of an individual on how he or she deals with everyday life challenges especially in the classroom setting where the teacher deals with his or her learners. Knowing what are the ISTE standards help the teacher improve and enhance his or her teaching skills. Needless to say, having the knowledge of these skills or standards create a brighter future of one's students. As a future educator, I highly believe on the significance of manifesting these standards because through this I will be able to handle my learners in any way I can. 

As for now, the standards I suppose I have possessed are empowered learner, digital citizen, innovative designer and creative communicator. I am confident that I am an empowered learner because when our teacher instructs us to do a certain activity, I am able to do the task without hesitation. I am a digital learner because if I do my reports, I don't just rely on modern technologies but rather I make use on the available resources inside the classroom. I am an innovative designer because I do like my report being visually appealing to the listeners. As much as possible, I want my audience to feel that learning is fun. Lastly, I am confident that I am a creative communicator not just in my reports but also in digital media purposes. Like for an instance in creating a blog, I am capable of expressing my perceptions on a specific topic. 

        Indeed, ISTE standards employ essential skills to improve one's abilities towards teaching.

How will you develop 21st Century Skills?

https://sites.google.com/a/fargoschools.org/discovery-library-technology/21st-century-skills

     21st century skills compromise 4 C's. These are critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creativity. These skills are essential in dealing with students, colleagues, and even in everyday life challenges. Having these skills would make one flexible and have a good outlook in life. Specifically, one is not afraid to take risk or even to make mistake because he or she believes that no matter what the consequences are, he or she takes full responsibility from his or her action.

       Developing these skills is not an easy task. It takes full cooperation, time and patience. One requires to have a positive attitude to be able to develop and enhance these skills. Through practicing and adapting these skills in our daily life activities will possibly make these skills innate in ourselves. 

     Hence, one could possibly perceive that in order to master and develop these 21st century skills, he or she should practice these skills effectively and efficiently. 

What are the 21st Century Skills that are needed to develop by the teachers?

          Teachers need to cope with the 21st century skills. These skills are needed to make the learning efficient and effective. Students nowadays tend to rely mostly on their gadgets and other technologies. Needless to say, teachers should improve their teaching skills to grapple with these kind of learners. That is why 21st century skills should be exercised by the teachers themselves.

 https://sites.google.com/a/msad60.org/sophomore-and-junior-english/course-information/syllabus

        I think all the 21st century skills should be developed by the teachers because learning is a continuous process and it involves all of these necessary skills when teaching. In fact, all of these skills can also be used at home and at work, not just in school. 

        It is, therefore, 21st century skills play an integral role in today's generation. Without these skills, our teachers may be weak, vulnerable and not competent. We should remember that our future relies on the hands of our educators. Thus, it is highly compulsory for our teachers to manifest these skills and develop these within their inner selves.