Peer-Review Journal Article
In the article, Rethinking the Roles of Teachers, with the introduction of new technologies the role of the teacher has to adapt. There are some basic similarities that will still hold true. Teachers are still going to be seeking out the best practices for their classrooms each year. The teacher is still there to guide the student to the best methods of research and catching students up to speed. As stated in the article, “In ideal situations, the teacher’s role is becoming that of a mentor, visiting with groups and individual learners during class to help guide them, while allowing them to have more of a say in their own learning” (Adams, Johnson, Freeman, Estrada, Becker, p.6, 2014).
I think in contrast to this vision from what we are still seeing today teachers are still the “primary source of information” (6, 2014). We have still not quite gotten away from that in the classroom. Of course, after we incorporate more and more tech in the classroom we will turn focus from the teacher to the info “at their fingertips” (6, 2014). Also, currently the idea of flipped assignments is relatively new. The teacher is still in control of the learning in the classroom. The vision of this article is to have a more student controlled learning.
I for one am looking forward to a shift like this. I think it will make the classroom more of a collaborative environment. Which, in the long run will help students see the importance of group work and how to be comfortable with it. I think this will also help bring the introverts out of the shadows. The students will also benefit from learning early on how to do research. They will learn how to look for reliable sources, which is very important for college prep. I wish I had been introduced to these practices in K-12.
Resources
Johnson, L., Adams Becker, S., Estrada, V., and Freeman, A. (2014). NMC Horizon Report: 2014 K-12 Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.
I think in contrast to this vision from what we are still seeing today teachers are still the “primary source of information” (6, 2014). We have still not quite gotten away from that in the classroom. Of course, after we incorporate more and more tech in the classroom we will turn focus from the teacher to the info “at their fingertips” (6, 2014). Also, currently the idea of flipped assignments is relatively new. The teacher is still in control of the learning in the classroom. The vision of this article is to have a more student controlled learning.
I for one am looking forward to a shift like this. I think it will make the classroom more of a collaborative environment. Which, in the long run will help students see the importance of group work and how to be comfortable with it. I think this will also help bring the introverts out of the shadows. The students will also benefit from learning early on how to do research. They will learn how to look for reliable sources, which is very important for college prep. I wish I had been introduced to these practices in K-12.
Resources
Johnson, L., Adams Becker, S., Estrada, V., and Freeman, A. (2014). NMC Horizon Report: 2014 K-12 Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.
Thought-Leader Insight
Practice in K-12 Schools
Software/App Review
As a parent I really enjoy Class Dojo. It makes it easier for me to keep up with how my daughter is doing in school. Her teacher will also post videos and pictures, so it's nice to actually see my child in class without me there. I think the convenience of it is nice. I know that sometimes it is hard to encourage parent involvement as a teacher. This helps involve more parents that might otherwise have work obligations. Parents can also send instant messages to the teacher which is also nice, since I don't get to see her in person very often. As soon as I think of something I need to ask I can just send it right over. I know that her teachers like it to because they can keep us informed. It also helps them notify us directly when something important is sent home for us to look at. I think this is a great up to up the parent involvement in the class.