Technology Integration in Placement School

The school that I was placed in last semester seemed to value technology. The computer lab was visited three times a week by my third grade classroom. While they did not have the resources to provide new computers they still utilized them as often as they could. When my class visited the lab each student would have a computer they were assigned to. They were able to save documents on the computer. It was also a way to monitor the activity on the computer and know which student was previously on it. The children played education literacy as well as mathematic games on the computer. Before they M.E.A.P the children visited the computer lab even more frequently. They looked forward to this time. Education was made fun for them and was presented to them in a medium they are familiar with. The teacher that I did my placement for integrating technology frequently. She made a website for her third grade classroom. This website was fun and interactive. It had their homework assignment, links to educational game, links to interesting things, and information about what was going on in the classroom and at school for the parents or guardians.

Before this class I thought that making a website would be very difficult, I knew I would want to make one but did not think I would have the skill set to do so. I think that integrating technology in the classroom is essential to a complete educational experience. I know that the students in my classroom enjoyed the website their teacher had made for them and I want to make one when I have a classroom of my own. We are surrounded by technology. Without the knowledge of how to use this technology it would impossible for me to perform well in my college courses. If children become proficient in technology early, they will be able to utilize it later in life which is the direction our world is heading. Using technology is essential for classrooms now.

Reading other education Blogs

I read the blog Adventures in Educational Blogging-A modest attempt at discovering if social technologies such as blogs and wikis can make teaching and learning more relevant and effective. The post I thought was really interesting was titled "A video to start your year." The video was about students feeling that their teaching were not using the technology that they were used to. That the teachers were almost living in the past and not teaching them the tools of the future. That technology is changing and teachers should change as well. Well this video I'm sure is often true, I have not come across this problem. My problem seems to be the opposite. My teachers have asked me to use technology that I did not know how to use or that didn't work. I do think that this video is very interesting. I do think that teachers need to use technology and keep up with their students, but I an scared that technology will take over. I am still working on blogging and could not get the video to attach, ill try again soon!

Who knew there was so much technology!

Even after two weeks in this course I am in awe of how much beneficial technology is out there. I must say I am still having a difficult time appreciating twitter. I can see how it would be useful, but I am not a big fan of the format. It might just take some getting used to. Delicious is really cool, but I am having trouble getting the button tag button to sat on my safari. I am also having some trouble using Delicious, but I am getting it slowly. I made my website, but I am not really sure what to put on it yet. I never thought making a website would be so easy! I think this will be every useful when I have my own classroom. I am trying so comment on more blogs. I am also looking for more educational blogs to follow but haven't found a lot that I really like. It is exciting that I am learning how to use all this technology that never imagined I would use!

Technology Background and Course Expectations

I now know how my grandmother feels when she tries to use the computer. Blogs and Twitter are completely foreign to me. I stumble around on the sites quite unsure of what to do. While previously I thought I was pretty technologically savy, I am quickly learning there is so much that I do not know. I am excited to learn as much as I can about technology and how it can be used in the classroom.

This class will not only help me personally, but also be extremely beneficial for me as a teacher. While working in a classroom this past semester, I became aware of how much technology is utilized in the class setting. The teacher created a website for the students that has educational games, homework and even notices for their parents. I has never even thought of using a website to help students learn,but it worked wonderfully. The students loved it and the teacher was able to provide fun educational activities and monitor their growth.

I have a lot to learn and I excited to learn as much as I can about technology and how it can be beneficial to education.