Education Technology in the 21st Century Classroom Joshua M. Petras EDUC 511 July 15, 2013 Mr.

Doyle Potter

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOM! The million-dollar question in education is the question of what makes an effective educator. While programs can help students, and different resources provide more educational opportunities, the frontline of education is made up of teachers primarily. Without effective teachers, successful education cant occur. Determining what makes an effective teacher is not only a critical determination factor for schools, but it is vital for any teacher trying to improve their impact in the classroom. Ultimately, that is the goal. An effective teacher is measured by the impact they have on their particular students, not just by the number of As in the class. Therefore, there are certain characteristics that are required of effective educators.

"!

First and foremost, effective educators must be life-long leaners. Before elaborating, it is important to address the potential eye-rolling that occurs when this statement is made. Anyone who has spent more than an hour in education circles has had the phrase life-long learner assigned to educators at least a million times. It has become something that is said more as a clich than as something with meaning. However, it is vital that this saying is taken to heart at its meaning. The effective teacher recognizes that education is always changing. New students made up of different cultures walk into the classroom every year. Old methods become useless and new ones must be found. New technologies become available and expectations change. In order for teachers to adapt to these changing climates, they must be those who desire to take the time to learn how to adapt. Along with all these adaptations, each class is different, even different class periods on the same day. Teachers must be able to identify and make necessary changes in order to teach all of these students. Adaptability may well be the word that can be substituted for being a life-long learner, but an effective teacher must be both of these. During my time making observations for my teaching credential program, I observed a teacher who demonstrated this ability. Her time inside the classroom was masterful. Her early

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOM! morning classes would walk in ready to fall asleep, having no desire to mentally engage. She adapted by having the students move around a lot and forcing them to participate. This was

#!

effective in helping students engage when they others wouldnt have wanted to. However, when her next class walked in, they were full of energy to the point where they would distract themselves. As soon as they walked in, it was as if there was a completely new teacher. She adapted her classroom to one that was more structured in order to help the students stay on task. There was less talking time for the students and less movement. This gave the students the balance they needed to learn that day. Along with adapting for each class, this teacher spent time ensuring she was using the most modern technologies and methods in the classroom. This is a perfect example of a life-long learner. While teachers may know their content and understand what would best impact students in their class, these two elements alone dont ensure that students in the classroom will learn to their best building. The key factor that may be missing is student motivation. Student motivation may be the most important barrier for a student in the classroom. A student that is motivated to learn has endless potential, while an unmotivated student has already ignored the lesson before it is even finished. Therefore, an effective teacher must be someone who can motivate students to give their attention in the classroom. Gaining the interest of students is vital or there can be no real education. Teachers can gain the interest of students in numerous ways. The first is through personal connection with students. Teachers who spend time learning the interests of students will have a valuable asset. By theming questions or lessons around the interests of students, they can motivate students and gain their interest. Instead of doing regular work, teachers can create applicable work based on the interest of students. Students will think they are playing when they

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOM!

$!

are actually learning. On the other, technology is a great way to motivate students. Draw a graph on the chalkboard, and students are bored. Project a graph using your iPad mini, and you suddenly have the attention of students. In fact, I believe this is one of the primary purposes of technology in education. A lot of what is done with technology in the classroom today could be done (while not as efficiently) without technology. However, the students respond to technology in a powerful way. It is their identity and culture. It is has also not really been used in their past classroom experiences. This technology in the classroom can be a huge help in engaging and motivating students. The first two characteristics of an effective teacher have to do with determination and focus. The effective educator must be determined to be a life-long learner who is constantly adapting. At the same time, the educator places their focus on student motivation along with the content of the classroom. But, this final characteristic makes the first two possible. The final characteristic of an effective teacher is a sacrificial heart. This is a heart that places student learning and occupational excellence before personal comfort. Why is this important? Teachers would agree that studying the students, their interests, new methods, new technologies, and new learning theories are important. Taking the time to understand how technology can be used to meet every student is something that every teacher would agree is vital to the classroom. However, imagine being a teacher with 15 years experience in the same subject being told you need to learn more about your work. The temptation would be to say know, to claim that your experience and your methods will work for every generation and that you no longer need to learn. If technology is difficult to learn, the temptation would be to say that since you have taught without technology for years, why start now. At the same time, other teachers become warped or discouraged by students who take

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOM! advantage of them or let them down. It is easy for teachers in this situation to make it about themself and no longer care about sacrificing for students. I had a teacher in high school who used to offer tutoring after school three days a week. For the first semester of the year, not a single student came. And yet, everyday students

%!

would see him leaving after school an hour after school had gotten out. Grades began to drop and still no students attended, and yet he continued to offer help. It was amazing that at then end of the year he had not given up. In fact, during the final months when students needed the most help, he was there just as he had always been. He constantly was willing to sacrifice his time for the students. This is vital for teachers. I am almost motivated by the words of scripture to be sacrificial for my students. In Philippians 2:3-4, the apostle Paul tells us to consider others as more important than ourselves. The motivation Paul gives is incredible. In verses 5-10, he states that we do this because Jesus did this for sinners. He allowed Himself to be crucified for sinful people. He selflessly gave His life for those who wanted nothing to do with Him. What incredible motivation. The same attitude must be in the heart of an effective teacher. Effective teachers will make themselves life-long learners and motivators with a heart that is willing to sacrifice time for the students. My aim in this program at APU is to become one of these teachers. While I see the need to motivate and I understand the meaning of being a life-long learner, I want to learn as much technology as I can to teach every type of student. I am a math teacher, and I hope to find the apps and online resources that allow me to not only connect with each student, but that I may find effective ways to teach every type of student. For me personally, I will feel a deep sense of accomplishment when I complete this degeree. This degree will not only be a document to hang

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOM!

&!

on the wall, but it will be something I can use to expand the education of others. I find that to be deeply satisfying.