Final for 350

The Final for EDSS 530 (Dun Dun Duuuun)
My Attention Getter


1. One of my personal visions for Secondary Schooling in the 21st century would be the vision of technology. I think technology is the way of the future and students must be able to communicate via different technological avenues. Through technology, students will be able to learn new skills, as well as apply old skills to the way they present, communicate, and learn. Another idea that I have is to maybe try and implement an ITU. Whether it is in my own classroom, or with another student teacher, I will try to see if that would be possible. I think ITU’s are appropriate because it allows students to see the link between contents and the world. Something I want to do is open my students’ minds so that they may begin to think for themselves, and I believe by showing how things are connected could be the way I get them to see how the world around them connects to them.


2. One action that I will definitely implement during my next semester at Mission Hills is the idea of web-based assignments. I know this will be a way of “testing the waters” because I know a few teachers who are opposed to this idea already. I am going to set up a class website that will include a class blog. Students will have to respond to different topics and reading questions. I think the students will like this idea to an extent, but I am mainly trying out this idea to help limit my paper load. I also feel that this will be a new way of differentiation. I will have to take the pencil and paper away from the good writers to see how well they can express themselves with a keyboard.


3. An additional action plan that I plan on implementing during my first 2 years of teaching, regarding my personal vision, is the idea of an ITU. After learning so much about them, and their effectiveness towards learning, I feel that that would be a great idea. I would first have to see what the school’s take on Interdisciplinary learning is before I try to go ahead with that idea. I would probably start out small and begin the unit in my own classroom and at the same time collect data. This data I would use as a reference point when trying to pitch the idea to my administration.


4. Once I have become a trusted member of my educational community, the next action that I would like to do is become an administrator. I think that if we are to establish reform the way they want us to, the only way to really do so is become someone who can apply this change in a larger sense. A teacher can only do so much, but an administrator can do so much. I have also though about opening up my own school that could be based on my vision (which lies deeper than just technology or ITU’s). I think that once I became an administrator, I would then be able to have more access to change. I know that you are able to become an administrator after roughly five years of teaching; so five years has become my new goal.


5. Connecting all of these plans together sounds simple, but I don’t know if it is. I am going to try and be simple with this one. I want my connection to be: The higher I get in the education world the more reform I’ll be able to create. I’ll be able to establish new professional roles and I’ll be able to implement new curriculum paths. I will have to continue to learn as well, and continue to be a reflective learner. I will open up students' minds, only if they are willing and eager. I feel like the possibilities are endless, especially if I create/open my own school.