One of the most pressing issues facing education is the great “digital divide” between the older teachers and younger students. Unless we actively engage students through the use of meaningful lessons including the technology they have come to see as an integral part of their lives, what we teach will seem archaic and uninteresting to them. Their access to technology has shifted their attention and beliefs against retaining factual information. Teachers have been replaced as dispensers of knowledge, and now need to become guides on how to use that knowledge and foster the creative and unique talents of the students. The teaching strategies and lessons I have held on to for so long need to change to truly engage today’s new learner. Keeping up with current technology is imperative to gaining the respect and attention of the students.
We are moving towards individualizing education with the current push for differentiated instruction. Perhaps the best way to accomplish this is through a variety of assessment methods using technology tools. Since the revolution caused by open sourcing software, Web 2.0 has made this much more feasible. This blog will discuss some of the Web 2.0 tools and how they may be applied to many different lessons and assessments, with specific examples in the Anatomy & Physiology classroom.
It seems that when I go to state or even national science teachers conventions, there are very few, if any, sessions specific to Anatomy & Physiology. It is often very difficult to find the time to meet with a teacher from another school to discuss ideas for the classroom. Less funding is available for professional development, so we are now challenged to seek our own content specific professional development. Fortunately, Web 2.0 is dynamic, allowing for interaction and two-way collaboration for both teachers and students. With the rapid shift into a technology dependent society, I am more compelled now than ever to continue my professional development. I hope that this site will serve as a forum for the sharing of ideas and resources and that we will create a professional learning community that will be a powerful tool for us all as we work to meet the needs of our 21st century students together!
