Paul

Dear Dr. C,

"WOW, I'm done with my wiki! And I want to tell you some things." I think I will address each question separately, although many of my responses will overlap and discuss the same topics. But before I begin, I would like to thank you for having such a well organized, challenging, and applicable Masters level course. I have learned a lot about mobile learning, but also about what kind of learner I am, and what kind of a teacher I can be.


 * What did you learn about yourself (as a person) as a result of participating in this class (good and bad)? **

This question highlights why I liked this class so much. I was able to personalize many assignments based on what I teach, what I like to teach and learn about, and even what my personal interests are. This allowed me to realize that my students would appreciate similar assignments, that allow them to create a product that puts their own personal stamp on things. I also learned that if I persevere, I can work through whatever problems or obstacles that seem to pop up and get in the way technologically, whether it is software or hardware.


 * What did you learn about being a teacher from creating your products? **

I learned that I can not only create high quality products, but that I can adapt those products to meet a variety of purposes and address a curriculum in many different ways. There are an increasing number of valuable applications that can be utilized by and for mobile devices, and these apps can be used to add entirely new dimensions to learning, helping students be more engaged and interested in their education. I learned that I'm the type of teacher that enjoys finding those new apps to use in my classroom.


 * What you are most proud of as a result of doing your products? **

I'm most proud that I have been able to follow your instructions and complete all of the products. I am an older, non-traditional Masters student, and have had to work hard to keep up with technology and how it impacts education. This struggle has led me to choose a program of study that will help me keep up with the types of advancements that we study in this class. I am proud of all of my products, and they will be included in my electronic portfolio, as well as incorporated into my classroom curriculum.


 * What you would do differently next time you use technology? **

If it is a new technology, I will think about how I could incorporate it into my classroom. If it isn't new, then I would think about if it is something that could be utilized in my class, and if so then with what type of device? I've noticed this semester that most kids prefer to use their smartphones over a classroom laptop for most things. Laptops seem to be favorites for adults, while kids prefer phones. Kind of like how adults prefer facebook, while kids prefer snapchat and instagram.


 * What you are most concerned about with using technology and how you will overcome obstacles with technology? **

I've been most concerned about whether I could understand how to use all of the technology, and how to integrate it properly and swiftly into a curriculum. I'm also concerned with a very large obstacle for my district, which is having available technology for every student. What our state government has done to funding for education is terrible, and as long as the rich and powerful have the ability to lobby and use their money to buy influence in government, then they will successfully keep the poor and public schools in a place of disadvantage, providing cheap labor for their multibillion dollar corporations.


 * What you are most concerned about with teaching and how you will overcome obstacles? **

Since I have been in the classroom for 15 years, I am aware of quite a few of the challenges. Apathy, lack of foresight, diminishing desire to go to college, lack of technology for all. These are just some of the problems we are faced with everyday. I recently shared a fairly cool online application that allows students to manipulate variables in a collision to examine how it changes momentum. It was a space game called Astronaut Toss. They were very excited at first upon hearing the name of the game. After seeing it and playing with it for a while, they were underwhelmed. This led to a good discussion about one of the major challenges of education. We have to compete with fantastically fun multimedia entertainment that surrounds students today. If education can't keep up, then it will be left behind. The educational gaming market is a hugely untapped commodity with billions of dollars yet to be made. My son wants to make video games, maybe I can talk him into making educational ones?


 * What you are most excited or intrigued about with regards to using technology? **

I am very excited about what is to come. With prices of technology dropping, can districts soon overcome the technological gap? I hope so. I'm excited about how I have seen the amount of educational resources explode over the last 20 years with the evolution of the internet. I'm excited about how many more people can be educated with advancements in technology that couldn't before, and how that will impact our world positively. And I'm excited about what kids that grow up with this technology will be able to do with it.


 * What you are most excited or intrigued about with teaching? **

For me, its all about the relationships that I create with my students, and how I can help them achieve their goals and reach their dreams. With social media, our connectivity to each other is better than it ever has been. My school and community is in need of more of this. We live in a community that deals with racism everyday. I believe as we become more connected, we will develop a better understanding of our different cultures. I also get excited when I see and hear about successes of my former students, and social media has increased the number of these instances.


 * Which century will you teach in--the twentieth or twenty-first and what indicators will be present that most epitomize your classroom? **

I ultimately strive to be a 21st century teacher. Although I don't believe this will be achieved until I have gotten rid of all paper in my class, have multiple forms of technology being utilized by students, and the textbook is either digital or used as a supplement. Then I might consider myself there, or at least close to it.


 * What difference will you make? **

I believe I have made a positive difference in the lives of many students. I would hope that my success rate will increase as I learn more ways to integrate technology in my classroom. I believe that there aren't many science teachers out there trying to change how the subject is taught, and if I can be a positive influence to others in that area, then it will be a rewarding feeling. I want to thank you for everything you have done to help make me a better teacher. Have a great Christmas break and New Year!

Paul Duroni