December 1st, 2008

I see myself using technology to bring diversity and depth to a lesson. Technology should be used to really benefit the lesson, rather then being used just for the sake of being used. It should also apply to a variety of learning styles. Although the usage will differ depending on the grade level I am teaching, I can see myself incorporating technology in many different ways including:

• Interactive PowerPoints
• Websites for educational games, resources, and lesson reinforcement
• GoogleDocs for classroom discussions
• A homepage to keep parents and students up-to-date
• A scavenger hunt to introduce a lesson
• A webquest to more creatively present a project

My views on technology in the classroom have certainly been broadened. I realize that technology can be used in some form no matter what the grade level. I have certainly learned more ways to use technology, and I have come to understand the idea of using technology to take the lesson to a higher lever, rather then just using it to be different.

November 24th, 2008

To me, ethics is a very tricky subject because so much is unknown. Before doing the class podcast, I had no idea that there were such strict rules involving the media.

In my own classroom, I will handle such laws by learning as much as I can. I think it is important to ask questions and do reseach. This cannot be done once, but should be done periodically because rules are always changing and being updated. It is not the job of the students to know what they can and cannot use, but rather is it is the job of the teacher. A great source of information would be the school district I am teaching in.

I will also do my best to follow the rules. It is too dangerous to assume that you will not be caught. The school should not have to look after what you are doing. You should be staying within the law yourself. It could jeparodize your job and the school you work at. It is worth it to do a little bit of reaseach and follow the rules.

November 17th, 2008

I think that the students in this classroom need two main things: to get back to the basics and then to be challenged.

With their lack of vocabulary strength, it is obvious that the students need some basic information and skills. I believe that these issues arose due to the teacher's teaching style. If he or she is simply telling the students the information rather than really teaching it, then it comes at no surprise that the students are having issues. They are not really learning. They are simply holding on to information long enough to write it onto a worksheet and then forgetting it as soon as they leave school. The students need to search for their information and really work with it if it is expected to stay with them. The teacher should be guiding them rather than automatically supplying them with the information. This is what I would do if I began my student teaching in this classroom. I would have the students search for their information. I would supply questions and only supply the needed help or answers. I would also find more creative ways to have the students work with and find information, which leads me to the next need for these students:

They need to be challenged! Students cannot simply have information thrown onto them and then be expected to learn with a worksheet about that information. They need projects, PowerPoints, computer work, games, activities, etc. Their imaginations need to be used. Students will learn much, much better this way, and everyone will find the class more interesting. It would also be a great way for me to be able to interact with the students. ~Expanding the lessons in all ways is what this classroom really needs~

image obtained from: www.suelebeau.com/genteachresources.htm on December 1st, 2008

November 10th, 2008

I believe the best way to keep in touch with technology is to be open to updating news. It is important to read up on the latest trends and to attend lectures on it whenever possible. Magazines, newspapers, the Internet, etc., are always reporting on what is new in the world of technology and how it relates to education. You cannot close yourself off to what is going on because you will fall completely behind. It is also important to ask questions to those who know more than you do. Whether it is education or technology in education, someone will always be more informed on a topic, so it is incredibly helpful to ask questions and seek information from them. The best information may come from various sources.

Some great sources I found include:

• Education World
  
• Lesson Plans Page
• Adprima

November 3rd, 2008

The video certainly opens your mind to a lot of new facts. It made me actually feel quite overwhelmed by all of the changes that will happen and all of the changes that are already happening. I suppose we have to realize that we may not be aware of all of the changes that are constantly occurring, so it is not as overwhelming as it sounds. It is actually exciting. It also brought up the idea that the United States must make sure to keep up with the rest of the world. In such a technological age, we must make sure to not get left behind. With the speed of everything today, it would be very hard to catch up after falling behind.

It also puts a new perspective on the role of a teacher today and in the future. With technology taking over all over the world, we have to make sure that it does not begin to dominate the classroom. I believe that there will always be a role for the teacher of a classroom. I believe that the teacher's role is to incorporate technology without allowing themselves to be dominated or replaced by it. I do not believe you can have a successful classroom with either a teacher or technology; I believe that you need both.

October 27th, 2008

I believe what really stands in the way of me being able to intergrate technology into the classroom is lack of experience and confidence. While I use technology every day, I am not as familiar with using it as a teacher. There is so much that can go wrong in a lesson and so much that can go wrong with technology in general, that it can be very experimental to combine the two. Due to a lack of confidence, it may seem easier to avoid technology all together, although this is not the most beneficial to the students.

Ultimately, it is important to remember that the only way to gain experience is to try. Yes, things will go wrong. It is simply important to realize this and to have strong backup plans. Eventually, I will be able to gain the confidence to smoothly intergrate technology into the classroom, with and without mistakes! You have to realize that technology can greatly benefit everyone if you give it a try.

October 20th, 2008

1. Cool Cat Teacher Blog - http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/

The Connected Classroom - http://khokanson.blogspot.com/

2. My views on technology have been broadened. It is 

becoming apparent that there are so many ways that 

technology can be used in the classroom. I never really 

thought about the difference between incorporating 

technology in the classroom and really utilizing it. They 

can be very different! The whole point of technology is 

to get something across in the lesson that could not

happen without the technological tools. As seen on the 

cool cat blog, technology can be used to get all kinds of 

messages across whether they are serious, offering 

helpful hints, or just for fun. It can all be beneficial. The 

connected classroom blog helps to show technology 

from different angles. Even though the technology is for 

students, it involves so many more people. The teachers 

have to be willing and knowledgeable, and there has to 

be someone to show the teachers how to use the 

technology in the first place!

3. I was really interested to see the different types of 

PowerPoints and how they can be used. I think we have 

all been in classes where the PowerPoints are even 

more boring than the lecture itself! I'll be excited to try 

and put my own twist on the traditional PowerPoint so 

that it can actually benefit my students. While they 

should only be used in moderation, power points 

should make a difference when you do use them.