Online Teaching Experiences & Michigan Merit Curriculum (CEP 811)

It is amazing to go through and read all of the different requirements that are now required of students and teachers.  I remember going to school and just having to focus on my classes and not having to worry if I had the right combination of classes, if I have done all of my volunteer hours, and now making sure I had enough online experience.  There is so much pressure on today’s learner; I become frustrated the more I hear.  The teacher can make this process seamless and a lot less stressful for students if the requirements are gradually introduced.

I was unaware that the Michigan Merit Curriculum had an online requirement, and that it could be implemented starting in 6^th grade. Many of the requirements I have already been using my class, unbeknownst to me.  I try to introduce many different types of programs to my student so they become comfortable interacting with new programs; this also allows for students to learn life-long learning skills.  To me, this is one of the most important skills that a student could have; it creates productive members of society and to become independent learners. I also try to differentiate my instruction to allow students to become aware of what style works best and creates a multimodal learning environment.

There were a few technologies, such as blogs and RSS Feeds, which I think would be hard to incorporate into my middle school setting, not because of ability, but due to the limitations that have been placed upon us by our technology department.  It seems that the philosophy in our district is to just block everything rather than teaching the students appropriate use.