Partnering in the Classroom

I really like the idea of partnering in the classroom as a pedagogy.  Partnering allows students to be problem solvers, learners, and teachers! In order for partnering to work at its full potential, the climate control (also known as classroom management) must completely shift from the traditional mentality of “teacher lectures, students listen” to one that embraces student interaction with peers and teachers.  Partnering is completely different from the traditional teacher directed environment where students play an inactive role. Instead, partnering revolves around a student centered learning environment that allows them to be self-teachers. I think this is very important to student learning as it allows them to be discoverers, which is more meaningful and purposeful.

Partnering is also technology friendly as it allows technology to be easily incorporated to student learning. For example, technology can be incorporated in a meaningful way in which students are able to be explorers, learners, and teachers – all at the same time.

I incorporate technology into my students’ learning through partnering with my younger students. I bring in two of my own Ipods and use two school-issued computers. I am able to allow students to use technology daily through centers in which students become partners with each other as well as myself. I serve as a facilitator of their learning as they are able to seek help, help others, or simply work on their own.

Simply put, I cannot wait to delve into more information that Prensky presents on the topic of PARTNERING!

Technology in the Classroom

It’s very important for me to integrate technology into my instruction as kids are growing up in a generation with a vast amount of technology. I currently incorporate technology through the use of Ipods and computers that reinforce our standards. For example, they play a game called “Sight Word Bingo” to help them recognize sight words. The apps/games engage students in an purposeful and technological way. In the future, I plan to incorporate blogs as a means of communication with parents. Being a teacher of the primary grades, I think it is an effective way to use them. I am eager to learn more ways that will allow for me to incorporate technology in a meaningful and purposeful manner.

Blogs

I have learned many valuable uses for blogs in education this week. Up to this point I have been looking at blogs to supplement material in my classroom. However, I have not exactly been a blogger and followed them, nor had I created one. As a teacher of the primary grades, I really like the idea of using blogs to encourage parent-teacher communication as it allows communication to be readily available to parents and teachers. It is a good way to allow parents to see what is going on in the classroom. I also liked how blogs could be used for student engagement, such as problem of the day, etc. After learning about their valuable uses, I will definitely implement blogs in my classroom.