Lesley’s Blog

Change is always hard, but in most cases necessary.  Change in the educational system is necessary for student success.  We need to be teaching our students 21st century skills.  These skills are necessary in order for students to be able to work in their future.  We, as educators, need to be willing to change the way we teach.  We need to be ready to teach tomorrow’s skills to today’s students.  It is hard to anticipate what the future technologies will be.  However, if we can prepare students to apply what they have learned in school then we are helping these students’ future.  It only takes one person to start making the change in a district or school.  It is hard to be that one person.  Who is going to be that one person?  Who is willing to take that first step and lead the change in your school or district?  The easiest place to start is your own classroom.  Other teachers will see the changes you make and begin to question what is happening.  You may inspire other teachers to change as well.  By the modeling and teaching of 21st century skills, you are setting up your building for change.  I, for one, will make changes in the way I teach my students.  Who knows, maybe it will inspire others to help make the changes we need.

As much as I think assessment is important, I am tired of hearing it.  Every time I hear assessment I think of the high stake testing we must make our students do.  What are we assessing when we ask our students to take those tests?  How effective are they for measuring what a student can do?  I have seen students suffer when taking these tests.  One year I had a student placed into a  psych center because she threatened to kill herself because she didn’t understand how to answer some of the questions.  She had a learning disability that made test taking difficult.  Her test was still going to count toward our school’s proficiency rating even though we couldn’t get to her to finish the test.  In end, it worked out that we didn’t have to count her test score since she was unable to finish the test.  We are starting to care more about test results and less about what students can do.  We need to switch our thinking about assessment.  We need to look at making sure we are also measuring how a student applies the skills he/she has been taught not just the knowledge of the skills.  Students need to be applying skills effectively in order to compete with others in their future jobs.  

Wow!  There are a lot of wonderful blogs out there to read.  I really enjoyed reading about projects other teachers have done with their students.  I received some really cool ideas.   I left comments on three sites.  One of those sites had to be approved so I am only putting links to the other two sites I visited.

One blog I visited, Reflections on Teaching, was dealing with advice for new teachers.  It was very appropriate for all teachers, not just those starting out.   

The other blog I visited, Teaching with Technology, was dealing with Virginia Studies projects.  I really enjoyed reading about what students created using technology.  I got some really cool ideas.  One was how to use podcast with my students.  I thought the software for the time lines was neat. 

Overall, I really enjoyed reading what others have done with technology in their classroom.  I am looking forward to returning to the classroom in January to start some of the ideas I have read.

I am currently taking a course entitled 21st Century Skills from PLS.  I didn’t realize how much I would learn! It is amazing how much technology has changed through the years.  I am afraid I won’t be able to keep up with the ever changing technology.  I have been keeping a binder filled with everything we have talked about with this course as well as the other 2 courses I was taking.  Through this course I have become more aware of the technology that is available.  It is difficult to decide which to use.  I am aware that I won’t be able to use all of them.  Through this course I have also become better at teaching technology to my students.  My students will improve their 21st century literacy skills.  I can’t wait to try digital storytelling with my students.  I am sure they will enjoy it.

It is hard to believe that I am halfway finished with my sabbatical leave.  I am taking 3 classes through PLS.  One is currently finished.  I have 3 more weeks of the other 2.  I have mixed emotions about returning to the classroom.  On one hand, I have learned a lot of new things for teaching.  I can’t wait to put them into practice.  On the other hand, I have to leave my baby.  She will be 3 months this Sunday.  When I return to work she will be 5 months.  I do miss my classroom.  I needed this little break.  It has helped to put my spark back into teaching.  My students will definitely benefit from my being away and learning new ideas for the classroom.