Software used in my preschool classroom: What else could I be doing?

During my day to day practices I use software like Microsoft word, for completing lesson plans, creating home project assignments, progress reports, or supplemental classroom materials. I also regularly use Board maker and writing with symbols software to create games, word cards, visual communication materials like., individualized schedules, class rule charts, lunch menus, rebus charts, and many other materials to enhance learning experiences and meet a variety of learning styles. I also use e-mail to communicate with colleges and share information and materials.

     As I continue my journey to be a life -long learner, I would like to become more familiar with software applications like Microsoft publisher, eBook creation, blogs, teacher websites, podcasting, Google Doc, and smart board technologies. I think that, by increasing my knowledge of the technology  resources available to the education field, I will be better equipped to meet the diverse needs of all of my students, while preparing them to be successful in the 21^st century world.

     To achieve professional proficiency in technology resources, the best way for me to achieve my goal is to researching how these technology resources work and reflect on what applications would best meet the needs of the learning environment I am trying to create. Throughout the next year I want to develop a monthly classroom newsletter to keep parents connected with my classroom specifically, and I also want to create a teacher website. By creating a teacher website I could include the classroom newsletter and parents could have access to it anytime. I have already created an eBook site where my students and myself can create virtual versions of our classroom created stories. This would be a great tool embedded in my teacher website, to be used as a resource for families allowing them access to our stories at home. As I progress with the eBook site, I would also like to give families the opportunity to create and share their own created stories. The site I found will allow for this, and I think after explanation and guidelines are set for the students and their families it will be a great way to increase parent involvement.  I think my starting point is creating a teacher website, and then researching relevant and meaningful resources to embedded wit in it.

Preparing the 21st Century Learner

As I reflect on my ability to teach the 21st century learner, I think that I am as prepared as any educator can be in the face of such a fast paced world of change. The latest skills, techquineques, technologies and buzz words are changing rapidly, and in order to be an effective teacher you have to be committed to the school of life- long learning. But, I really think that this idea is not only about being able to teach 21st century skills, but more the need to stay current on how to best meet all the diverse needs of your student population. No matter if we are talking about teaching strengths today or ten years from now, preparation and adaptability are the hallmark of an effective or ‘good’ teacher.

   I think that by providing exposure to a variety of different experiences prepares my preschoolers. We are working in collaboration to build baseline knowledge for all future learning. I want my students to love everything about learning, so I think diversity in the opportunities I provide for them gives them the strong foundation the need to start growing into their future self. My vision for my students is simple, what I am doing with them in preschool sets the tone for success today, tomorrow, and always.

   No matter what area you are teaching in there are always challenges to face. For me, teaching in the 21^st century is challenging because, I have limited technologies available to me.  So it becomes challenging to find innovative ways to incorporate the technological aspects that I know my students need exposure to, which will help the rate of future success in my classroom and beyond.  However, I do think my strength in my ability to adapt to situations and be creative with the resources I do have available to me. I am also self -motivated to learn by doing, so I think that allows me to see situations from the perspective of my students. So when planning my lessons I am better able to tailor learning to individual needs. I am very much a life- long learner and I think that as the world of teaching changes around me, my teaching style will reflect my growth, knowledge and adaptability.