Technology Reflection

Technology Reflection: The most important way this technology in the classroom course has helped me is by taking away the fear that setting up programs such as Wikis, blogs and podcasts. When I first started this class, I printed out all the course materials I would need. I was so nervous at the prospects of what we would be doing, I emailed Professor Smith with my concerns. He assured me that most people find they are able to set up the assignments and learn a lot. He was right. Except for not being able to figure out how to post a blanket invitation to our group’s Wiki I was indeed capable of doing what the assignments called for.

I have a better understanding of the skills that teachers need to be teaching their students to better prepare them for a future that will most certainly include technology. Those skills include not only how to use technology but how to question and solve problems both individually and as part of a group. The learning process takes on more meaning for the students when they have an audience beyond the teacher.

In order to become a more learner-centered teacher, I realize that I need to become more of a facilitator of learning. My students should have more freedom to decide what they want to learn about and how to go about doing that. I should be there for guidance and support. I am excited at the prospect of this type of learning; it fits my style of teaching.

Keeping abreast of the latest technology applicable to students is an important part of being able to better serve as a technology driven teacher. At the rate of technological growth I realize that if I don’t keep my ear to the proverbial ground the students may not be introduced to the skills they will need to be competitive in the work force of the future. Taking advantage of workshops and classes on the subject of technology will be one way of staying current in this ever changing field.

When I have my own classroom again, my first goal will be to incorporate technology as more than a tool for information and research. I also hope to involve others in my subject/grade level team so that we can use technology based lessons when planning lessons. The problems I foresee with these goals are the lack of skills and or interest by other staff members along with the lack of available technology for the students. I also realize that most schools have but so many blocks on the Internet for security reasons it could become a battle to have access to certain sites. My hope is to get other like-minded educators on-board for creative use of technology in the classroom and also to use for convincing purposes if need-be.
I truly wish I could say that I have been able to change my answers from the check list that we filled out at the beginning of this particular course. Unfortunately, I don’t have my own classroom this year to implement any of the changes with. My answers were based on what I have done in the past when I did have a permanent position. One area I can say that I say have begun changing is working to promote technology for classroom instruction. I have also been talking to teachers about the importance of technology use in education. I feel like I am “preaching to the choir” as teachers seem aware of the importance. It’s administrators who might need convincing that it’s worth spending money on.