Jennifer Barnett’s Blog: Reflect to Redirect

My school has been so fortunate to be involved with the 21st Century Schools project developed by the Alabama Best Practices Center and funded by Wachovia and Microsoft.  Through this program, our technology team of four teachers participated in training for using 21st century technology tools in today’s classroom.  The training sessions were well planned and executed.  The content was rich, useful, and practical.  The support has been just as terrific as the initial training.  But, all of this does not guarantee success.  It has taken a total commitment to mastering the new skills and tools presented to us.

Becoming a 21st century teacher is much like beoming fluent in a foreign language.  It takes time, energy, practice, failure, endurance, and most of all, true commitment.  These days it is so hard to balance life with work and manage to make such a commitment.  Somehow, for me, the stars aligned so that I have been able to begin my journey of becoming a 21st century teacher. 

I have a supportive group of colleagues.  My fellow technology team members and other faculty members share my enthusiasm for 21st century tools and techniques.  There’s always someone with whom I can share my new find or my latest frustration. 

I have a supportive family.  My husband respects my goals and encourages me to explore, learn, and renew myself.  My children enjoy my discoveries and find mom’s tech abilities fairly useful – even if she does get a bit obsessed.

I’m having more fun now than  since I began teaching back in 1991.  Every day holds the possibility that I might get a bit closer to my goals.  I am so eager to become fluent in my new language.

ACTION STEPS

What can I do to become a 21st Century Teacher?  If you are willing to try, here are a few action steps you can take.

1. Start with what you know.  Make a quick list of what you can do.  Build confidence in your skills and take pride in your ability to learn, adapt, and try new things.  Many of us remember using typewriters, cassette tapes, and VCRs with fondness.  Yet, we have managed to graduate to computers, ipods, digital cameras, and cell phones with a fair amount of enthusiasm.
2. Identify a learning goal.  What would you like to know?  Whose example would you like to follow?  Make a specific note of what you’d like to be able to do and give yourself a reasonable time-frame for achieving this goal. 
3. Find a playmate.  Journeying into unknown territory is always better with a friend.  Find one person who will share your enthusiasm and interest in learning new ways of doing old things.  Share your learning goals with each other.
4. Help your new playmate first.  Establish a good working relationship right off the bat by doing something to help them before you even start to help yourself.  This will encourage a partnership and make the experience deeper for you.
5. Find time for learning.   Set aside some time each day or week for exploring and learning.  Time is the biggest resource you need to acquire new 21st century skills.  It will take much more time, practice, and thought than most people realize.  Set aside time when you can use it best.  I have enjoyed working at night while my kids watch “their”  show.  Are you a morning person, a weekend warrior, or a night owl? Or do you have an extra 30 minutes to spare after school.  You must find extra time to learn.  This will not come from a workshop or a friends quick instructions.  You must play with it to master it.
6. Stick to it.  Do what you say you will do.  It will actually become a bit addictive as you learn new things.  This will help you continue on your journey.
7. Share your skills.  When we teach, we learn.  The more you tell others about your discoveries, the more you will know about them.  It need not be a workshop or formal training.  But, you must share.  This will solidify your learning.

http://www.microsoft.com/education/competencies/default.mspx These competencies are another place to start to make an honest evaluation of where you are and where you’d like to be. The strategies for improvement are clearly explained and easy to follow.