Positive Impact on My Growth as a Technology Leader
In my Ed 629 class, we embarked on a collaborative journey to design purposeful professional development for our fellow students. Our group delved into 'The Interactive Classroom' by Kristen Merrill and Joe Merrill, each taking on a chapter to explore and share our favorite resources. My section focused on the significance of teachers learning from their peers, whether within the school building or through external sources like podcasts, blogging, and bloggers, and the power of building a PLN using Twitter. The book was a treasure trove of resources. During our class presentation, we shared resources via a Wakelet, ensuring everyone had access, and each class member contributed their thoughts through a Google Survey, enriching our collective learning experience.
"The Interactive Class" by Joe and Kristen Merrill is a tremendous educational advancement because it combines technology and innovative teaching methods to create engaging and interactive learning experiences. Merrill & Merrill (2020) emphasize, "One way you ensure that your students' learning is interactive is to make sure it is rigorous"(p 11). It is essential to set the bar high for your students. You would be surprised how they respond to work that challenges them. Sheninger (2019) states, "Rigor is a concept that describes either an assignment that challenges students to use critical thinking skills or a challenging learning environment that is supportive and engaging" (P. 97). Merrill's YouTube Channel is a great place to get ideas to use in the classroom.
As I step into the role of a technology leader, I am filled with anticipation for the transformative potential of the strategies outlined in the book. These strategies can reshape classroom dynamics, ignite student participation, and foster a deeper understanding of the material. The book is a guiding light for educators, showing us how to harness technology to adapt to diverse learning styles and cater to individual student needs. It's a beacon of hope, paving the way for educational growth and development. I also appreciate developing a Personal Learning Network (PLN) to enhance my educational leadership growth. Sheninger (2019) states that PLNs are communities of like-minded individuals with whom one exchanges information and engages in conversation (P. 144). One way I expanded my PLN was by joining Twitter. I have actively participated in chats, shared personal activities from my classroom, and disseminated great ideas shared by others. Initially, I was hesitant about joining Twitter, given my limited activity on individual social media platforms, but the benefits have far outweighed my initial reservations. Turner & Hicks (2017) suggest we monitor our reading and writing, analyze the argument, and think carefully before sharing with others (P 108). Kaufman & Rothstein (2021) emphasize three ways to seek out professional learning: 1. Navigate the EduTwitter Space. 2. Read professional books, articles, and blog posts. 3. Listen to podcasts. Lastly, The Merrills link is a fantastic blog offering several resources to help educators create interactive classrooms and develop PLNs. In conclusion, completing a PLC with and for my peers opened my eyes to the new world of professional development and how to connect with others with the same goals and interests.
References
Merrill, J., & Merrill, K. (2020). The Interactive Class. ElevateBooksEdu.
Turner, K.H., Hicks, T. (2017). Teaching Adolescents to Read and Write Digital Texts: Argument in the Real World. Heinemann.
Hey Mena! Great article and it was awesome working with you on this project! I thought the book was fantastic and can't wait to start implementing more of the strategies in my classroom. Sheninger (2019) states, "The most important aspect of digital leadership is ensuring that changes to pedagogy are occurring so that technology and innovative ideas actually lead to improved student learning." I think all of the lessons learned from our book will definitely lead to improved student learning. Although the tech tools we use are exciting and get the students' attention, we have to remember to build those relationships with our students as well. According to Merril, J. and Merril, K. (2020), "Connecting with students emotionally, rather than just cognitively, positively impacts your ability to teach students."
ReplyDeleteReferences:
Merrill, J., & Merrill, K. (2020). The Interactive Class. ElevateBooksEdu.
Sheninger, E. C. (2019). Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times. Corwin.