LS 521 WMC Submission Journal review #1

Carolyn Buzanoski

4/5/02

The journal this information was pulled from is www.electronic-school.com January 2002 (the cover story) The connected teacher: anywhere, anytime learning meets professional development

Joiner, Lottie. L. ( 2002) The connected teacher: Anywhere, anytime learning meets professional development. www.electronic-school.com,2002,01,0102fl retrieved 4/5/02 http://www.electronic-school.com

Teachers are being faced with more responsibility than ever before claims the author of this article. Not only are teachers dealing with their regular teaching duties but new standards, high stakes testing, and new instructional technologies. The issue is that the proper tool to live up to their new standards hasn’t been developed as effectively as the standards themselves. Online education has emerged and made a large impact on helping bridge this gap. Teachers can turn to online training to learn about technology and how to integrate it into their classrooms. Many are online to learn new strategies, earn credit and in some cases recertification. Online classes are beneficial for many reasons but really are helpful for those with geographical isolation or subject area expertise is needed. There is a challenge to this issue that is mentioned in the article. It is based on the fact that technology isn’t always flawless, and the participants don’t always have the computer skills to get the most out of the online classes. It is noted how frustrating it can be when ones computer/ technology isn’t working correctly. (We have all been there!) Lastly the article discuses the advantages of online classes being nothing but positive for facilitating the changes. Customization, flexibility, accessibility, and convenience to name a few. “ Any tool or technique that meets the needs of some teachers for professional development and are cost effective are VERY valuable.”

I chose this article because so many pieces reminded me of just what I am doing in this class. I am learning technology( some of which I have never used). I am learning how to implement technology into my future classroom. We are taking this class for the most part on line, thus convenience, time flexibility and room to struggle. We as a class have solved the problem of needing the face-to-face contact that usually lacks (according to the article) as we have met a few times. I wonder if we should have just had optional meetings during class time, perhaps that would have helped my main issue. My main issue was getting my computer to do what I was telling it to do ;) Technological set backs are very frustrating and time consuming. Yet I still feel this class has taught me exactly what this article discussed.