WEEK 7 (class reflection)

Feb 27,


How does my mentee view technology? 

Well, my mentee likes to work with technology. She has her own website and uses other programs very confidently. Besides her husband is involved in the technology field so there is some input for her to be open to technology.

Her decision to start building a website for her SIG group came up because the members and officers found their Facebook webiste not professional. They need a space in which they can share their work, research and happenings in amore professional, collaborative way. As she is an officer in the SIG group she felt she wanted to contribute to the group with their own website. I do not think her approach is "because I have to" but it is more a need and commitment to engage in professional discussions in an adequate space.


Teachers teach teachers.
It is undeniable that collaborative work does make a difference in learning. I think that teachers do not teach other teachers, but teachers help and support each other.

I agree with Dr. Nadolny upon the idea that when teachers share with others what they do, it is great because that way we are creating a community of teachers-learners.
However, there are teachers whose negative work or attitudes do not help at all and rather than contribution to creating a nice environment and community of professionals, they contribute to foster negative attitudes.

I also agree with Zina, if teachers have had bad experiences with technology they will not be able to manage their emotions and way to release them is to express their negative ideas about that technology. I, myself, have experienced this and feel that technology is not helping me. However, the support from my fellow colleagues has helped me overcome that frustration and work towards a better understanding on how to handle difficulties with the programs  I use.

Zina mentions that competition may play a role in the view of technology. But I think that it is more the feeling of being embarrassed in front of others because teachers may not know how to handle technology problems.

Teachers as mentors? 
I am not sure whether teachers can become effective mentors. What are mentors' characteristics  that teachers need to have to become mentors?