Mr. Ferrante - Technology Integration Teacher

Inspiration

According to the Oxford American dictionary the word "education" is defined as "systematic training and instruction designed to impart knowledge and develop skill." The root word of "education" is "educe" which means to draw out. In other words, education is the systematic process of drawing out some knowledge or skill that a student may already possess or have the ability to possess. 

The most basic form of education, in my opinion, occurs between at least two entities, the student and an experience that this student encounters. This idea is supported by John Dewey's theory of experience. Dewey states that learning needs a structure and order, and must be based on a clear theory of experience. Dewey's theory of experience can be summarized as follows: 

Experiences allow humans to accumulate much information, analyze the information, and then use the information to change (learn). Each experience inevitably influences each future experience and is a function of the person's prior experiences and the situational reality. 

In the "formal" education system a third entity, the teacher, plays a role in delivering these experiences. The teacher facilitates the means by which the students will experience the many ideas, concepts, facts, and problems that will ultimately lead the students to acquire the foundation of knowledge and develop communication skills, technical skills, and problem solving strategies. These are the tools students will need to think critically and creatively, to become contributing citizens in a complex and challenging world. 

To "awaken the natural curiosity of young minds," educators must integrate many principles that will guide students' experiences. The principles I believe to be most important to providing a foundation for learning are the following:

• integrating technology

• building relationships with students

• guiding the development of effective communication skills

• providing a foundation of knowledge upon which ideas, skills, and concepts can be developed and lead to higher levels of thinking

• integrating academic disciplines

• varying the teaching, learning, and assessment methods by which skills and knowledge will be delivered, developed, and evaluated

• establishing environments both indoors and outdoors in which educational experiences will take place

Integrating Technology

The use of technology by teachers and students has become essential to the success of the whole student. The computer and other technologies have improved the dissemination of information in many ways. First technology has provided endless possibilities when gathering information. It has also allowed information to be provided more rapidly and more clearly. Technology has also allowed for the facilitation of communication with parents, students, teachers, and professionals in the community as well as around the world. 

As new technologies emerge at a rapid pace, it is pertinent that educators stay in tune with the changes as they occur. Although a seemingly impossible task at times, this has become necessary so that educators can continue to provide the necessary information and teach students the skills that will be valuable to their success and their futures. However, technology is not the solution to teaching students how to solve problems, communicate effectively, and collaborate with other professionals. Technology is a tool that can help them reach these goals. 

Building Relationships

"We are trying not only to educate academically..., but also to cultivate an understanding, an inquiry into the whole psychological structure of human beings." 

~Krishnamurti 

I believe that the role of an educator stretches far beyond academic goals. It is more important for educators to first know their students. After building these relationships, educators can open the minds of students to virtues that enable them to become responsible for their own learning, problem solving, and decision-making. These virtues include environmental, social, and cultural awareness, honesty, integrity, respect, responsibility, compassion, generosity, courage, and confidence. I believe that to build these relationships, a safe and comfortable learning environment must be established. Only then can students' minds become open to new ideas and can learning occur. 

Guiding Development of Effective Communication Skills

Communication skills form the foundation of both academic and personal success. It is imperative that students become proficient in the written and spoken English language. In addition it will benefit students to be able to communicate in other languages in this increasingly global world. An effective writer and presenter can develop his or her ideas to their fullest potential and successfully communicate those ideas to others. 

Educators must guide the mastery of the written, verbal, visual, and physical presentation of information and concepts. Educators can enhance communication skills by providing opportunities for cooperative learning, verbal and visual presentations, mentoring, and community service. 

Integrating Academic Disciplines

Educators should collaborate with colleagues and work to integrate a variety of subjects including technology, the arts, science, foreign languages, mathematics, social studies, nature, and environmental issues as much as possible and refrain from teaching solely by individual disciplines. It is important for students to be able to make a holistic connection of these disciplines to realize how these systems interact in the world. 

John Dewey stated that "there is a responsibility for educators to provide students with experiences that are immediately valuable and which better enable the students to contribute to society." Educators of all disciplines should collaborate to provide students with the opportunity to experience related concepts, themes, and information in various subjects. 

Providing a Foundation of Knowledge

An effective educator must have a high level of understanding of the subject matter being taught. It is the responsibility of the educator to stay current his or her discipline by engaging in research and attending conferences. This can improve the educator's knowledge of the subject matter as well as well in the field of teaching. An educator must be able to make good decisions about what to teach and how to structure, organize, present, and engage student learning of the material. 

Varying Methods of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment

According to Howard Gardner, all people possess multiple intelligences at varying levels. Educators must understand that each student possesses a unique set of intelligences and learning patterns, which must be addressed in a positive, safe, and supportive environment. In this environment the educator must constantly challenge students to stretch his or her abilities. 

Educators can reach the various levels of intelligences and abilities of all students by implementing differentiated instruction styles and environments and by varying the methods of assessment such as posters, role-playing, verbal presentations, debates, technological presentations, videos, and journals. 

The implementation of a project based learning model or a vocational approach to educating students can be the approach that provides students with a "real world" application of concepts and may often be the best approach to inspire them.  

Establish Environments for Learning Experiences to Occur

The utilization of the outdoors to supplement classroom instruction is essential to teaching each child to consider and appreciate the beauty and wonder of nature, along with the complex relationships that exist between humans and the natural world. 

The outdoor classroom can be an effective place to guide the principles discussed above. The benefits of integrating outdoor instruction include providing hands-on experiential education, enhancing peer relationships and social skills; providing opportunities for cooperative learning and differentiated instruction; fostering a sense of ownership, responsibility, community and environmental stewardship; encouraging higher level thinking and reaching students of various intelligences. 

Conclusion

Educators must provide a foundation of knowledge and foster morals that will guide student decisions empowering them to become effective decision makers, problem solvers, contributing citizens, and leaders of tomorrow, Most importantly, educators must facilitate the methods and environments of each student's educational experiences. 

I view teaching as a process of encouraging students to make connections between their life experiences and the subject matter. It is through experience that humans learn, and the quality of those experiences will guide how learning will take place and affect students' lives outside the classroom and their influence on the lives of others and the environment we all live in.