Triggering Question: As an elementary teacher, how can I model life long learning by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources?
In order for teachers to continuously improve their professional practice with the use of digital tools and resources, teachers must understand what is available to them and opportunities for collaboration with colleagues. There are many resources that benefit teacher understanding of the changing field of technology. The US Department of Education released their Technology Plan for schools to adopt allowing teachers access to multiple learning communities. They called this “connected teaching” which uses technology to create digital online communities for effective results. Teachers can form communities with students, fellow teachers, administrators, or education specialists to collectively collaborate on educational issues. Connected teaching provides new ways of interaction that improves professional practice through new activities such as online posting, discussions, and animations for instruction and quizzing. Using new digital tools with students models life-long learning by the teacher as they are experimenting with new tools to increase effectiveness of their instruction.
A member in my learning community who is focusing on physical and health education posted a link to a site that has up to date information on health and fitness strategies in school. It informs educators of upcoming opportunities for in person professional development. This is an example of a site that allows teachers to stay current with changes happening to programs such as health and fitness. It lets teachers make effective use of emerging digital resources and model for students how to stay current on professional issues.
Reference
US Department of Education. (2010). Transforming American Education Learning Powered by Technology. Washington D.C. (38-50)
file:///C:/Users/Scott%20Chrisman/Downloads/2010%20Manzo.pdf
Shape America: Soceity of Health and Physical Educators. (2016) Retrieved on March
13, 2016, from http://www.shapeamerica.org/
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