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If I knew then... pt. 2

Again, I find myself in a place where I wish that I had known what I learned about this week when I was still in the classroom. As a High School ELA teacher, even in a title one school here in Florida, we had a computer cart in the classroom with enough computers for each student. While many social media sites were blocked (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, etc.) Many of these other online tools would not have been. I wish I could have tried a more networked learning community style.

I think the use of a class bog, collection and curation tools, the online badges, and the primary resource sites form the creative commons unit come to mind. So, to answer the question, I think in some cases the tools help foster ideas, though I would argue that once you know of the tools then you would probably get ideas of how to use them when you come across a subject. I think I could have fostered more motivation from my students, possibly given them the additional time and space for them to work at their own pace, and hopefully taught them more.

Every now and then I miss being in the classroom, particularly when I find things that could’ve helped make the experience better!


Comments

  1. I have a good friend who after teaching about ten years became a principal for about ten years and is now in the district office. We have had many conversations that ended with, "I think I want to go back to the classroom one day before I retire so that I can use all I've learned." Of course, he's still applying things he learned, just in a different way. Maybe you will too. :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Lori!

      I'm not sure I will go back, but I have some friends who only want to teach, so they will definitely benefit from my studies!

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