The Role of Technology in the Classroom

The role of technology in the classroom has changed significantly since I was in school. It is exciting and neat to see the resources that are now available to teachers, and I am fortunate to be learning about them.

After looking at the 'Notebook 10' program, I am excited to see all the tools and resources that are at my disposal. It is a little overwhelming, but I know that if I stick with the program, I will become more comfortable, and thus my teaching and lesson planning will benefit. When I think back to my elementary years, I think that as a student I would have really loved the interactive nature of the lessons that some technologies allow. At the same time, I know that I was very well educated by caring and professional educators who were able to use what they had to teach us. To be responsible educators though, we need to ensure we keep with the times, and use what is available to us, and what is the 'future'. When we use technology, we are giving the students the opportunity to see the topic explored in different ways (video clips, interactive games etc), and we must engage our students in different ways to ensure optimal learning.

While I am excited about the technology, I also have to come to the realization that there is a lot of work behind the use of the SMART BOARD and other technologies. A teacher needs to ensure they don't make their activities so elaborate and busy that it takes away from the goal and purpose of the lesson. I also believe a teacher has to be careful that they do not rely on technology to teach their students. Technology is meant to be used as a supplement tool and must be used responsibly.

All in all, I am excited about the resources available through technology, and believe that for the most part it adds to the child's experience, and thus education benefits.

First Month Reflections...

We are now a month into the program, and I'm feeling excited, overwhelmed and a tad stressed. I am enjoying what the teachers and my classmates bring to my classroom experience. I appreciate that I get to be with my classmates for the next two years, as we can grow and assist each other. I have already noticed that I am in a very kind and open class, and I am excited to see what they can offer students when they are out working.

There has been a lot of information thrown at us in the last month, and as such it has been necessary to figure out my learning style, and how to best incorporate that into my study and work habits. I have confirmed that I am a visual learner. I like to have information presented to me in a manner in which I can a) read it and make notes and/or b)see an overhead with the information. Midterms and papers have arrived, and it is necessary to stick to learning styles and studying skills that I know help me. Independently, I know I have to keep up with the readings, make notes and just keep reading the material until it sticks.

Looking at Piaget and Vygotsky, I would also say I am a social constructionist. I enjoy working in groups, and hearing other peoples perspectives on things. I feel that I can learn a lot from my peers, as it gives me different perspectives on issues that I may have never even considered. Not only are our teachers a wealth of information, but I am also in a class with people who are social workers, travelled the world, worked as 'teacher assistants', and parents with students in the school systems right now. I find when I have an example(s) of how the theory/material relates to the real world, the information becomes more ingrained.

It is hard to believe we are a third done this semester, as it has gone so fast. It feels good though to be moving along though.

Until next time...