It is never too late for learning. You could also say it is never too soon for learning! Technology can be a great resource to continue your learning and many professional organizations offer online resources for their members. This lesson will discuss the need for continued learning throughout your career and offer ways that technology can can help. You will find some options are beneficial for students also.

Internet Resources to Help Math Teachers be Lifelong Learners

Let's face it. The transition from teacher education student to classroom teacher can be quite challenging. As a new teacher you will have many plates to juggle. Getting to know your students, managing the classroom, serving on school and community committees, planning parent teacher conferences, will be some of your new responsibilities. However, balance will be critical to your longevity. The better you are at balancing your professional and personal life, the more likely you are to survive. Teacher persistence (pdf) and support is another key to a long rewarding career.

One way to get the support you need is to take advantage of the vast array of online instructional resources for math teachers. Bookmark or save your favorite sites like the National Science Digital Library (NSDL) and the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives for easy access. If you use multiple computers; consider using web-based bookmarking tools such as Backflip or Del.i.cious. Both allow you to save your favorite bookmarks online and access them from anywhere.

Always be open to learning more about existing and emerging technologies for your own personal productivity use in your teaching. There are several ways to continue your learning. Below is a list of general ideas for professional development.

Professional Development

• Review the IFT Modules any time--unlike a workshop, you continue to have access at your convenience.
• Learn about a variety of education opportunities for lifelong learning through the Professional Development section Michigan Educators Reference (MER).
• Check out other online courses.
• Stay up to date with the latest education news by reading online articles.
• Attend a conference or join a professional organization and become part of a learning community.
• Subscribe to an e-newsletter aimed at the needs and interests of math teachers. Electronic newsletters (delivered via email) can give you links to the latest teaching resources on the web. In addition, e-newsletters can also highlight upcoming educational activities, news, and research.
• Learn more from your peers: Join a listserv, otherwise known as a mail list, email discussion group, or bulletin board. These are a great way for teachers to share ideas and information about using the Internet in the classroom. There are many education-related mail lists for just about every subject or grade level. Members of a listserv share tips, offer recommendations, ask questions, and teach each other, all via email.

"Lifelong learning is the gaining of knowledge through the life span from a variety of sources and learning opportunities."

Web 2.0: Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and More!

The new generation of collaboration tools make it easier than ever to stay connected, virtually. According to Wikipedia (opens in new window), one of the first Web 2.0 applications, Web 2.0 is "... a term describing changing trends in the use of World Wide Web technology and web design that aims to enhance creativity, information sharing, collaboration and functionality of the web". In a nutshell, these are online tools that facilitate collaboration and sharing of information by making it oh so easy! If you are looking to keep up-to-date in your field, check out the Web 2.0 resources of the leaders in your content area and of your professional organizations.

The easiest way to do so is to subscribe to their Blog, Wiki or Podcast. You can do the same for your favorite news source. By using RSS feeds to gather the information to one spot (e.g. desktop or online ), you can be much more efficient and systematic in your search for information. Additionally, you can free-up your email account as well. Check out the sections below to learn a little more about these popular technology tools and the process for subscribing.

Blogs and Wikis

In essence, a blog is a web site where the author is able to publish information for others to read and comment on. The most current information is posted at the top so readers can see the most up-to-date information first. The NSDL Middle School Portal hosts a blog of Exemplary Resources for Middle School Math and Science.

While blogs are primarily for sharing information and providing a venue for conversations (comments), Wikis are designed for true collaboration. Because you are able to edit wiki pages, users actually contribute to the shared knowledge represented on a website. Wikis may be password protected requiring you to join the wiki first. Consider joining a wiki community or create your own wiki for student collaboration.

Think of these tools as portals for learning for your math classroom!

Podcasts/Vodcasts are great for visual and audiory learners. Just like blogs you can subscribe to your favorite ones and listen (or watch) on your cell phone, iPod, or computer.

Additional Resources

Wheatley, K. F. (2002). Teacher Persistence: A crucial disposition, with implications for teacher education.
Retrieved from http://www.usca.edu/essays/vol32002/wheatley.pdf