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Stories of a Future Teacher

My journey from college student to first year teacher.

technology = happiness

Growing up, I never really thought twice about the up and coming technology. There have been some amazing transitions from VHS to DVD, cassette players to ipods, and dry erase boards to SmartBoards. Although these are all essential items within our lives, it wasn't until recently that I realized just how great these new advancements really are for the classroom as well. I have learned that using technology on a daily basis within lessons is so essential for student engagement! It is so easy to see the difference between students' excitement and eagerness to learn when some form of technology is used.

Using technology in the classroom on a regular basis makes many positive changes. First, the teacher's role changes -- they no longer are the center of attention or the dispenser of information, instead, they through the room, looking over shoulders, asking about the reasons for various design choices, and suggesting resources that might be used. This allows students to do the teaching and learning, and teachers to help students move in the right direction.

When students are using technology as a tool or a support for learning, they are actively making choices about how to generate, obtain, manipulate, or display information. Technology use allows many more students to be actively thinking about information, making choices, and executing skills than is typical in teacher-led lessons. I have seen students gain more confidence, motivation, and more patience and collaboration skills with their peers.

Overall, I truly believe that technology is an essential element in the classroom, and it is the teachers duty to know how to implement it within their lessons.

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Posted: Monday, July 14, 2008 4:16 PM by Linus
Comments

Miss_AlliC said:

Well said Linus, I could not have put it any better way. I too strongly believe in the effects that technology has on education. Luckily I have been through a variety of lab placements in which I not only got to observe classrooms which scarcely used technology, but also those who used technology greatly throughout the day and I have to say, those whom used it frequently had much more well rounded classrooms. I think that teachers owe it to their students to use all technological resources available in their school. Children need exposure to these new medias. I think the worst case which I observed in my lab placement of a lack of initiative to utilize the technology in a school was involving my favorite piece of technology: The smartboard. This particular teacher was one of the lucky few teachers to be in a school system which has put a smartboard in EVERY classroom! (Talk about AMAZING funding!) But it was all for nothing. The entire semester I was placed in her room, the only time in which the smartboard was used, was when I was the one using it to teach! Crazy, I know! It wasn't like she was making her lessons interactive either...it was all worksheets. What a shame...oh well I learned a lot that year about how I plan to REALLY use technology in my own classroom.

# July 14, 2008 5:10 PM

Sophie said:

Linus, I really enjoyed reading this blog because it has not been until recently that I have really realized how much technology has changed in the classroom.  There was a teacher store going out of business in my town and all of the transparencies manipulatives were on sale super cheap.  I had grown up using those so I thought I had hit the jack pot and stocked up.  Now I have all of these over head projection manipulatives that are somewhat obsolete in my classroom.  I was just thinking about my childhood and how much over head projectors were used, now it is unlikely to find one in the school because everything has changed to Smartboards.  I have to admit that the first time I used a Smartboard I hated it and I thought it was not very effective, but the more I learned about it and the more confident I became I realized that the emerging technology truly is make for positive changes in the classroom. Talk to you soon Linus!

# July 14, 2008 10:23 PM

Toad said:

I totally agree with Sophie.  I have just recently really seen all of the changes in the classroom caused by technology.  I have always loved the technology growing up, but I guess I just thought it was fun.  Now I have learned that it is so helpful in the classroom.  It is so wonderful to have all of these resources at the tips of our fingers!  We are able to show all kinds of pictures, videos, and so on to accompany our lessons.  We are so blessed to have all of this technology available.  The SmartBoard is amazing! I have absolutely loved using it in the classroom and the kids love it, too! The SmartBoard gives the students the opportunity to come up and move objects around, write answers on a powerpoint, draw pictures, and so much more.  It has kept the students involved and excited about learning.  We are so blessed with all of today's technology! I loved this Linus, talk to you soon!

# July 14, 2008 10:57 PM

Lily said:

It is amazing how much technology has changes since we were in the elementary classroom. Today, elementary students are using ipods instead of tapes and know how to operate a computer at age 5! I think it took me until middle school to figure that out! Over the years, these changes have happened so rapidly that teachers are having to continue to attend the new and advance training sessions to become familiar with everything. It's great to know that students like technology and that it interests them so much. Like you said, students will now be able to learn themselves and discover new things while the teacher can offer scaffolding. Technology is amazing now that it makes me wonder what it will be like in the next 10 years! I just hope that technology won't take over teachers in the classroom :(

# July 15, 2008 9:57 AM
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