Throughout my teachers college career at Brock University and through my experiences in the EdTech cohort, I learned what it means to be a LEADER!
Teachers are to be leaders in their schools, and in their communities. However, some people focus mostly on the concept of teacher's leading other teacher's. May believe that to be a leader you need to display a high level of engagement with the profession of teaching.
Although this is true, I believe that being a leader is much more then leading professionally. A teacher-leader must possess a high degree of professional knowledge, yes, but there are other domains in which a teacher must lead. To be considered a leader, teachers must lead in their own classroom, their school, in professional networks and organizations, and in their profession as a whole.
The Classroom
Teachers must lead in the classroom, this means that they must be seen as a leader to their students. They must come to school with an open mind and an open heart. They must take the time to prepare lesson that will teach and engage students and be willing to listen and support.
Teachers give students the impression of what school looks like, and can either motivate or deter students. I believe that it is important for teachers not only to teach but to lead by example through being prepared, showing respect and taking time.
The School
Teachers must also strive to be leaders in their schools. This does not mean being the expert in all areas of the schools daily running or in all aspects of technology. To me, this means being their a support for your colleagues, sharing the knowledge you do have and being able to accept help and guidance from those who may know more on a subject. In addition, being a leader in your school mean participating in other aspects of school life, such as coaching, leading a group, or volunteering your time for extra help. To be a leader in the school, is to lift your team and have the school community as a whole be the best it can be.
Professional Networks and Organizations
As a teacher, it is important to engage in professional networks and organizations. To be a leader in the classroom or the school, teachers should strive to always be enhancing their learning and resources to better support their students. Being a leader in these professional network mean striving to engage with others in the profession, such a professors or researchers to gain extra knowledge. Schools are becoming increasingly diverse through out the years, and gaining extra knowledge will only help everyone involved.
Profession as a Whole
As teachers leader in these different domains, they will gain knowledge and expertise that they should not keep to themselves. To be a leader in the teaching profession is to share this knowledge with the wider community. This can be done through blog posts (such as this one), professional articles, or even books being published.
Overall, I think that to be a teacher-leader is to not only strive to be the best you can be, but to strive to encourage you students and colleagues to be the best they can be.
Thursday, 24 April 2014
Do you some technological help!?
Calling all teachers!
Do you want to use technology in your teaching practice? Are you a little worried about figuring it all out?
Great news! The EdTech Cohort of teacher candidates at Brock University has some great videos that can help you out! Check out the link below to access some "How to" videos on different pieces of technology!
https://www.youtube.com/user/edtechteachers2011/videos
Do you want to use technology in your teaching practice? Are you a little worried about figuring it all out?
Great news! The EdTech Cohort of teacher candidates at Brock University has some great videos that can help you out! Check out the link below to access some "How to" videos on different pieces of technology!
https://www.youtube.com/user/edtechteachers2011/videos
Check out my Education Twitter!
Twitter is a great tool to connect with those involved in Education from around the world. I like to post about different PD opportunities I am taking part in, as well as cool resources or articles I may find!
Check out my educational Twitter and give me a follow @EDUCmaureen !
Check out my educational Twitter and give me a follow @EDUCmaureen !
Professional Development Workshop - VoiceThread
This year, I was lucky enough to participate in the Brock University EdTech Leadership conference. This was a WONDERFUL opportunity to connect with other teacher candidates, practicing teachers, and even some principals.
For my part in this conference, my colleague and I lead a workshop on a wonderful piece of technology called VoiceThread. VoiceThread is a could based program that allows teachers and classes from around the world to connect with each others presentations or lessons. In VoiceThread, you can post pictures, videos, or slideshows and students or other teachers can "comment" on the content. You can comment in many ways, including through typing, through speaking into a microphone, through video taping yourself or through using the draw tool. This is a great opportunity for differentiated instruction as it allows multiple form of communication about one topic.
This site seemed to be well received by all who attended the workshop. Teachers, and teacher candidates saw it as a great opportunity to get students interacting with those outside their immediate classroom. With VoiceThread, if a presentation is shared through a URL, it can be accessed by a class on the other side of the world, who can then make comments that can be read by the creator.
I would suggest that everyone check it out at www.voicethread.com.
For my part in this conference, my colleague and I lead a workshop on a wonderful piece of technology called VoiceThread. VoiceThread is a could based program that allows teachers and classes from around the world to connect with each others presentations or lessons. In VoiceThread, you can post pictures, videos, or slideshows and students or other teachers can "comment" on the content. You can comment in many ways, including through typing, through speaking into a microphone, through video taping yourself or through using the draw tool. This is a great opportunity for differentiated instruction as it allows multiple form of communication about one topic.
This site seemed to be well received by all who attended the workshop. Teachers, and teacher candidates saw it as a great opportunity to get students interacting with those outside their immediate classroom. With VoiceThread, if a presentation is shared through a URL, it can be accessed by a class on the other side of the world, who can then make comments that can be read by the creator.
I would suggest that everyone check it out at www.voicethread.com.
Thursday, 16 January 2014
Hello, I'm a 21st Century Teacher!
21st century teacher use technology. However, this is not where the story ends, the appropriate use of technology to engage students and enhance learning is what is important. The importance lies with the teachers themselves, in this case me.
I believe that teachers must create assignments and lessons that are valuable to the students and promote critical thinking. Teachers must be able to do this with OR without technology. It is only then that we can include technology in a meaningful way to further engage learners and enhance their educational experience.
21st century teachers must have 6 competencies in order to truly benefit their students through technology:
When looking at these competencies I believe that using technology to enhance real world problem solving and innovation is very important. Technology can open up the world at the click of a mouse and create real, and relevant problem solving situations for students.
As an educator this is what I hope to do, I hope to use technology to bring my students deeper into meaningful learning that is not only relevant but exciting!
I believe that teachers must create assignments and lessons that are valuable to the students and promote critical thinking. Teachers must be able to do this with OR without technology. It is only then that we can include technology in a meaningful way to further engage learners and enhance their educational experience.
21st century teachers must have 6 competencies in order to truly benefit their students through technology:
·
Collaboration
·
Knowledge building
·
The use of ICT
·
Self regulation
·
Real world problem solving and innovation
·
Skilled communication
When looking at these competencies I believe that using technology to enhance real world problem solving and innovation is very important. Technology can open up the world at the click of a mouse and create real, and relevant problem solving situations for students.
As an educator this is what I hope to do, I hope to use technology to bring my students deeper into meaningful learning that is not only relevant but exciting!
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