Blog #1 - Educational Technology Philosophy (rough draft)

 I’ve had many great teachers, Bertucci, Simonelli, Creider, and the common thread was that they gave me the tools necessary to not only succeed in class but to succeed in life.  That is what I would like to do for my students.

I am very pragmatic in my teaching style.  When I teach math, I relate it to the grocery store, budgeting, probability and games of chance, employment, and taxes.   When I teach science, I relate it to iron skillets oxidizing after being washed, frosty windshields cracking under warm water, or momentum and braking distance.  When I teach social studies, I relate it to geography and reading maps to go where you want to go or get “unlost”, history so as not to repeat it, or cultures and being sensitive to differences.  When I teach language arts I emphasize effective communication and accurate self-expression, forms of communication such as thank-you letters, and using persuasion to accomplish a goal.  When I teach library skills, I teach students what resources are available, how those resources can be used, and where to look for what they seek.  I also teach social skills such as manners, when and how to apologize, and conflict resolution.  Computer skills are much the same.  How to use a mouse, type, create a PowerPoint, decipher the symbols of technology, these are all skills that will help students not only in class, but the real world. 

I am constantly guiding teachers and students to new knowledge and methods.  I am planting seeds by providing technology resources to students and teachers, and leading by example by growing in knowledge acquisition and sharing through technology.  I share knowledge through the school wiki as generously as I share knowledge in my physical library.  I want to empower students and teachers to succeed in the world of technology and use it independently to help themselves.  The ability to read is a great equalizer because through reading a person can teach himself or herself.  With technology tools, a reader has almost limitless access to knowledge and the ability to improve oneself.  I still believe that technology can be a great equalizer.