I really think is important to use technology in the classroom every day if possible. Students need to keep up with technology in order to be prepared for the future. I think the more technology we can bring to the classroom the better for the students this can promote higher level thinking. There are so many tools available for students to use which can make any dull subject come alive. My belief is that if the tools are available at your school why not use them. I noticed during field that our cooperating teacher, used some technology in the classroom but he certainly was not maximizing the tools available for his students. The technology specialist mentioned that most of the teachers were excited, but it has been a slow process.
I know that with my own teenagers they are more proficient in operating many of the tools we have at home, like i-Pods, computers, game systems, and cell phones. In Millennial Generation video the students express how technology is just a way a life for them. They find it amusing when their parents can’t use a computer or how they don’t know how to text or use the cell phone features very well. I know there is room for improvement on my part, but today I feel a little smarter than I did when we started class in August. So as a future educator I know change is hard but it’s necessary in order for our society to progress.
There were a few videos to watch, but I really liked was how Harrison Central High School in Mississippi takes integrating technology seriously. They really want their students to have practical applications in all their subjects’ matters. They incorporate their cheerleading with a physics lesson of velocity, history teachers were taking their students on virtual tours of the world. They use e-clickers to play games with history they use a GPS to learn about geography. It just seemed that at every turn technology was being used by students and teachers at this school. They really wanted their students to think at a higher level and explain their reasoning. They were creating lifelong learners at a personal level as well as keeping up with the current technologies.
The main themes from all the articles was how important technology is for students and teachers to use, and how best to integrate it in the classroom. With all this technology there are some draw backs. Some of the concerns are that students might not be able to develop their personal and social skills as well. Since for some student their main social networking is used in the form of blogging, twitter, facebook, and texting. These forms of communication seem to have their own standards and protocol. In one of the articles I read, it listed the different abbreviation's used in the world of social networking. The concern is will students know how to write a formal paper, since they are not using proper English. Also, students can obtain information from “whatever” forms of media so that can be dangerous. As educators we need to make sure that students are still experiencing personal interaction with their peers. It’s important to promote group work so students can work with others while still experiencing different forms of technology. We have to remember we are educating the whole child and not just giving facts and dates to memorize.
After reading the NET Standards I found that I have some strength’s and some weaknesses. Let start with the positives, I think one of my strength's is that I like to use technology in my lessons when I can and if I can. I feel technology can enhance the students learning experience, there are some great tools out there so why not use them. NET Standard II-Planning and designing learning environments and experiences. When I interviewed the technology specialist, she made me aware of many tools that our available for students to use like the wireless keyboard. This is where students can write their stories, it has a small screen that shows their information then it can be plugged into a computer for revision and printing. This tool is great for all learners especially students where handwriting is a challenge. As a future teacher my goal will be to implement technology in my curriculum as much as possible. Especially since I will we working with children with diverse backgrounds and English will be their second language. There is a great deal of programs that can help students think at higher level and help them improve their skills.
Now to the weaknesses I have plenty of those. According to Productivity and Professional Practice standards- I need to continually learn to enhance and reflect on what I do know, so I can use technology effectively. I like technology I like using e-mail, word processing programs and the Internet and so forth. Yet, I don’t always maximize the potential of these programs, and sometimes I can be a little hesitant trying out some of the features they offer. I seem more willing to try, if I take a class and someone is guiding me through until I’m comfortable to be on my own. I like to know I can ask someone if I don't understand. I realize technology is about trial error and sometimes you just have to dived into it. Similar to this class I've done many projects out of my comfort zone it was hard but good. I also know that when I find some new technology that makes my life better, I tend to use it and encourage other to use it. (like google calendar)
So as a new teacher, I will always be looking for ways to integrate technology in the classroom and improving my own skills. Goal #1: I found this web-site that offers free tutorial it’s called Internet4Classrooms (http://www.internet4classrooms.com/on-line_powerpoint.htm ) This web-site not only gives free tutorials for different programs such as PowerPoint ,Excel and other Microsoft programs, but it also helps teachers integrate technology in their lesson plans. I have some knowledge of how to use these programs, but their is so much I don't know the tutorials would be helpful. Goal #2: I also found The Journal Transforming Education Through Technology (http://thejournal.com/articles/list/professional-development.aspx) after reading the article "Teen see disconnect between personal and school writing". I found this web site helpful this web-site is design to help teachers keep up with the latest classroom tools and it has many resources and links for teachers to use. As a future teacher this web-site will be a great starting point for continual education on integreation of technology. The best part is you can subscribe for free once you are a teacher.
What? I really enjoyed this week, I got to teach every day. It was fun but it was physically exhausting. I got to teach about the water cycle, transcontinental railroad, and the mountain men that travelled through Utah. I’m exhausted because I spent some long nights preparing my lessons so I would be prepared for the next day. In every lesson I tried to implement everything we have been learning in theory. Such as drama, community learning, technology, physical activity, I tried to make sure all the students were receiving meaningful learning. So it definitely made for a busy week.
So What? Well, this week I learned that no matter how great your lesson plans are there is room for errors and mistakes. Some of my lessons took longer than I had planned. One of my water cycle lessons flopped I kept the kids busy but it was not meaningful. So I came home and reflected on how I could re-do my lesson so the students could really understand the water cycle. The next day, I did my lesson over again and it turned out ten times better. I also learned that you need to be very flexible, students are constantly being taken out of the classroom. Some have to go to"power hour", math tutoring, special ed, other classes taught by specialist. It can really throw you off and you need to make sure that when the student return they get caught up. In some cases is the whole class so you have to start off were you left. It can get tricky when you have thirty one students. I really like the fourth grade class I’m assigned, I would like to come back and follow-up to see how they are doing after field.
Now What? I ‘m glad I’ve had the opportunity to teach this week it’s been a pleasure teaching these fourth graders. I’ve learned that kids all have potential and they are all unique and want to learn, you just have to find what works best for them. A teacher’s job is never done and you have to be constantly re-evaluating what you’re a doing and be willing to make changes. I’m learning that one the most important concepts is that you need to maintain good classroom management so all students can learn. I’m looking forward to teaching in the future.
