With the invention of the movie projector, Thomas Edison predicted teachers would be obselete. It doesn't happen very often, but even the great of inventors was proved wrong. On the contrary, I don't think Edison quite understood the evolution educational technology would under go. Reliance on the chalkboard has dramatically decreased since teachers now use the electronic Smart Board. These Smart Boards are not only helpful because they allow teachers to transfer notes from the Smart Board directly to a computer, but it also allows teachers to use audio and video resources. The key is the evolution of educational technology enables teachers to enhance their teaching strategies.
I firmly believe that my role as a teacher will not change regardless of the the changes in technology. Even history strongly backs this statement. Teachers provide much more than the transference of their knowledge. They play a prominent role in the way students apply this knowledge. Educational technology is simply a means to transfer this information. For example, teachers would use the chalkboard to write vocabulary words on the board along their defintions. With the evolution of technology, teachers can now use computer software that include music programs to create songs that will help students easily remember vocabulary words.
One characteristic that technology can not provide is affection. I would like to believe that it takes a compassionate person to become a teacher; at least the ones that are in for making a difference in the world and not for the paycheck. Teachers are essentially the building blocks for the future of this world. This provide students with the encouragement and motivation to do their personal best even when times may get rough. Can an electronic Smart Board do that? I realize that distance learning is becoming more preferred over physical learning environments, but it is a teacher that affects eternity. He or she never knows where their influence will stop. I am comfortable that I will not be replaced by a robot such as those in the movie I, Robot. Human beings crave for the positivity that comes from human interaction. I hate to prove Thomas Edison wrong yet again, but teachers will be forever be an integral part of education.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
My Dream Classroom
Every teacher dreams of having the perfect classroom. What that entails of is certainly indicative of the teacher. Personally, my classroom would be visually appealing to my students, but also include educational tools that would enhance the learning experience. In this day in age, a student's learning experience is dependent upon the available educational technology. Unfortunately a vast majority of students are unable to benefit from the technology due to a school district's financial problems; however, that doesn't stop teachers, such as myself, from dreaming!
I made a promise to myself that I would never simply just lecture by standing in front of the classroom and dictating notes. Ever since I was introduced to power point, I envisioned myself relying on that as a way to reach my visual learners. My recent interaction with the Mimio Board strengthened my desire for the power point software. Not only would I be to use the Mimio to display power point presentations, but I would be able to display video and allow the students to interact with the material. This strategy would be beneficial for my kinesthetic learners.
In many of the lesson plans that I have created I have required the students to use computers readily available in a computer lab. While the computer lab is wonderful to have, I would prefer to have laptops readily available in the classroom. My brand of choice has always been a Dell; therefore, I would invest in a classroom set of Dell laptops that students can use for writing in Microsoft Word, researching through preapproved websites, and using graphic software to create themed illustrations. I believe the laptops would be a wonderful asset to not only my teaching methods but to my students' learning strategies as well.
As a Social Studies teacher, I tend to incorporate lots of dramatizations in my lesson plans. I firmly believe that by reenacting certain parts of history, students learn much more! They are able to experience what was and then be able to formulate their own opinions about today's society. After all, history does repeat itself, doesn't it? To document the dramatizations, I would like to have a few audio/visual recording devices so that students can have copies of what they have accomplished. It also makes for an interesting souviner to look back on ten years from now. I am a fan of Sony, so I would invest in Sony HD Handycams. Not only are they easy to work with, but the picture quality is amazing! The Handycam also allows students to take digital pictures, which is definately a plus!
Obviously much of teaching centers around educational technology. Sometimes I like to be simple and not include the high tech tools, but I believe these genius resources are available for a reason; why not use them? Twenty years from now, technology will probably evolve and new gadgets will be available. It is my responsibility as a teacher to pave the road for my students' success, so my lesson plans must include the tools that will help them in every way possible. Unfortunately, money has and will always be a factor as to what is available. As my parents always told me, money doesn't grow on trees. Just for once, wouldn't it be nice?!?
I made a promise to myself that I would never simply just lecture by standing in front of the classroom and dictating notes. Ever since I was introduced to power point, I envisioned myself relying on that as a way to reach my visual learners. My recent interaction with the Mimio Board strengthened my desire for the power point software. Not only would I be to use the Mimio to display power point presentations, but I would be able to display video and allow the students to interact with the material. This strategy would be beneficial for my kinesthetic learners.
In many of the lesson plans that I have created I have required the students to use computers readily available in a computer lab. While the computer lab is wonderful to have, I would prefer to have laptops readily available in the classroom. My brand of choice has always been a Dell; therefore, I would invest in a classroom set of Dell laptops that students can use for writing in Microsoft Word, researching through preapproved websites, and using graphic software to create themed illustrations. I believe the laptops would be a wonderful asset to not only my teaching methods but to my students' learning strategies as well.
As a Social Studies teacher, I tend to incorporate lots of dramatizations in my lesson plans. I firmly believe that by reenacting certain parts of history, students learn much more! They are able to experience what was and then be able to formulate their own opinions about today's society. After all, history does repeat itself, doesn't it? To document the dramatizations, I would like to have a few audio/visual recording devices so that students can have copies of what they have accomplished. It also makes for an interesting souviner to look back on ten years from now. I am a fan of Sony, so I would invest in Sony HD Handycams. Not only are they easy to work with, but the picture quality is amazing! The Handycam also allows students to take digital pictures, which is definately a plus!
Obviously much of teaching centers around educational technology. Sometimes I like to be simple and not include the high tech tools, but I believe these genius resources are available for a reason; why not use them? Twenty years from now, technology will probably evolve and new gadgets will be available. It is my responsibility as a teacher to pave the road for my students' success, so my lesson plans must include the tools that will help them in every way possible. Unfortunately, money has and will always be a factor as to what is available. As my parents always told me, money doesn't grow on trees. Just for once, wouldn't it be nice?!?
Friday, October 23, 2009
I love new technology...NOT!
I consider myself to be a quick learner, and usually I have no problems with technology. I vividly remember getting my first desktop computer in high school. I was still using a type writer and my parents decided to finally join the technological age! When I first set up the computer and got it running, I did not know where to begin. Through trial and error, I eventually knew my way around the computer. That is until my teachers assigned projects that mandated we use Microsoft Power Point, scanners, and picture editing software. Again, I didn't know where to begin! At first, my agitation level was quite high with Microsoft Power Point because I didn't quite know how to put one together. Teachers assumed all the students knew what they were doing, but little ole me was stuck staring at the screen. Swallowing my pride, I eventually asked the most technologically advanced student in my classroom to help. He was kind enough to take a few minutes out of his time to explain the ins and outs of the software. While I finally had a grip of the power point software, scanning things were a different story! The task itself was easy, but so time consuming! Again, my agitation got the best of me. With a few deep breaths, scanning became a love-hate relationship!
My most recent experience with Microsoft Excel is certainly not picture perfect. I have never used the software, so when the Technology Basics Class had me do an assignment using it, I cringed! I thought to myself "Where in the world am I going to use Microsoft Excel and most importantly, how am I going to use it?" When I first opened the software to a page with rows and columns, I had a blank stare on my face. To be honest, I was quite intimidated by it. On the contrary, the step by step instructions really helped me in conquering Excel. The recent assignment I completed in the class, Technology for Educators, truly helped by making me create a step by step process for tables and charts. While the instructions are intended for middle childhood students, they undoubtedly helped me review my skills in Microsoft Excel.
I have to admit that my frustration does get the best of me when it comes to new technology. Over the course of the past decade, I have learned to step away from the computer, take a few deep breaths, and come back when my mind is clear. Learning something new is never easy, so it's important to cautiously handle the situation. My experience with scanners clearly illustrate how I did NOT handle the situation correctly. In a sense I believe this mentality can be applied to the students in my classroom: when presenting new information, relax and work at a managable pace so that students do not risk getting agitated and being turned off the new material.
My most recent experience with Microsoft Excel is certainly not picture perfect. I have never used the software, so when the Technology Basics Class had me do an assignment using it, I cringed! I thought to myself "Where in the world am I going to use Microsoft Excel and most importantly, how am I going to use it?" When I first opened the software to a page with rows and columns, I had a blank stare on my face. To be honest, I was quite intimidated by it. On the contrary, the step by step instructions really helped me in conquering Excel. The recent assignment I completed in the class, Technology for Educators, truly helped by making me create a step by step process for tables and charts. While the instructions are intended for middle childhood students, they undoubtedly helped me review my skills in Microsoft Excel.
I have to admit that my frustration does get the best of me when it comes to new technology. Over the course of the past decade, I have learned to step away from the computer, take a few deep breaths, and come back when my mind is clear. Learning something new is never easy, so it's important to cautiously handle the situation. My experience with scanners clearly illustrate how I did NOT handle the situation correctly. In a sense I believe this mentality can be applied to the students in my classroom: when presenting new information, relax and work at a managable pace so that students do not risk getting agitated and being turned off the new material.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Using Blog Posts in the Classroom
As technology is becoming more advanced, so are the ways in which teachers use the media. For example, chalkboards are seemingly disappearing leaving space for an electronic white board. No one would have guessed that years ago teachers would be able to save whatever they wrote on a white board onto a computer as a document. I predict pencils and paper will soon be obselete, especially with the usage of blogs in the classroom.
In my education career, I have only used a blog once (now twice). As an undergraduate student at Kent State University, one of my requirements for the education department was to create a blog discussing different lesson plans. This was helpful in sharing lesson plan ideas with all of the other students in my cohert. Essentially, the blog allowed each of us to brainstorm to create bigger and better lesson plans.
The idea of using a blog in a middle childhood education classroom is quite new to me. I know in my middle school days, I would have to do daily journal entries and then share them with my peers. As a Language Arts teacher, I believe incorporating the blog as a way for my students to keep a daily journal would be beneficial. Not only would it aid them in strengthening their writing skills, but it would also allow them to become proficient in educational technology. I could also use the blog as sort of a review for a book the class has just finished reading. For example, if the students just completed The Outsiders they could easily log onto their blog and provide me with their opinion of the book. This enables students to voice their own opinion and in a sense become their own person. It is during these middle school years that students are beginning to develop their sense of self and a blog would certainly do that!
My other content area is Social Studies. In a world that is centered on politics, many media outlets such as Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, and HLN take on air time as a opportunity to express their views on what is happening in the country and the world around us. In creating a blog, students could use the blog to express their opinion on what is going on in the world in relation to the Academic content being taught in the classroom. This would give students the opportunity to make intelligible connections between historical facts and what is going on today. As they say, history does repeat itself. To say the least, it would be interesting to see what connections my students would be able to create.
As I said, technology is ever changing. To make my lesson plans the best they possibly can be, I must include educational tecnnology that will positively influence my students. I must be aware not to overuse such technology. I believe blogs would be an asset to my classroom with respect to the Academic content areas such as Language Arts and Social Studies. Again, middle school is the time for students to begin formulating their opinion of the world around them. Undoubtedly, blogs would enhance this important chapter in their lives.
In my education career, I have only used a blog once (now twice). As an undergraduate student at Kent State University, one of my requirements for the education department was to create a blog discussing different lesson plans. This was helpful in sharing lesson plan ideas with all of the other students in my cohert. Essentially, the blog allowed each of us to brainstorm to create bigger and better lesson plans.
The idea of using a blog in a middle childhood education classroom is quite new to me. I know in my middle school days, I would have to do daily journal entries and then share them with my peers. As a Language Arts teacher, I believe incorporating the blog as a way for my students to keep a daily journal would be beneficial. Not only would it aid them in strengthening their writing skills, but it would also allow them to become proficient in educational technology. I could also use the blog as sort of a review for a book the class has just finished reading. For example, if the students just completed The Outsiders they could easily log onto their blog and provide me with their opinion of the book. This enables students to voice their own opinion and in a sense become their own person. It is during these middle school years that students are beginning to develop their sense of self and a blog would certainly do that!
My other content area is Social Studies. In a world that is centered on politics, many media outlets such as Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, and HLN take on air time as a opportunity to express their views on what is happening in the country and the world around us. In creating a blog, students could use the blog to express their opinion on what is going on in the world in relation to the Academic content being taught in the classroom. This would give students the opportunity to make intelligible connections between historical facts and what is going on today. As they say, history does repeat itself. To say the least, it would be interesting to see what connections my students would be able to create.
As I said, technology is ever changing. To make my lesson plans the best they possibly can be, I must include educational tecnnology that will positively influence my students. I must be aware not to overuse such technology. I believe blogs would be an asset to my classroom with respect to the Academic content areas such as Language Arts and Social Studies. Again, middle school is the time for students to begin formulating their opinion of the world around them. Undoubtedly, blogs would enhance this important chapter in their lives.
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