"For me, writing is exploration; and most of the time, I'm surprised where the journey takes me." Jack Dann

How can Technology Help me Improve my Teaching Practice?

Technology is a great way to extend the classroom beyond the four walls through innovative learning experiences. Communication through technology is a useful way to keep students, as well as parents connected to the class. Discussion boards and e-mail, for example, allow students to read one anothers' ideas, as well as add their own opinions. Other than chat tools, researching provides ways to participate in projects and research beyond what is being studied in class, if used appropriately with evaluation techiques. After researching is used to extend knowledge, technoogy also can be used to creatively organize the tools available, such as drawing tools, powerpoint and image editing software.

Slideshow on To Kill a Mockingbird

What am I learning and feeling about what we are learning in this class?

I feel this class will be extremely helpful in my success as a good teacher. Innovating as many different methods into the classroom as possible will only help to meet the needs of all types of learners. I have found the topics we have learned so far in this course are very helpful. I felt as if I was very familiar with Microsoft Word, however, it was great to learn the multiple things that I can do to use word and stay organized in the classroom. I have also found that the course wiki is a great way for the class to interact with one another and helps bring the classroom to the students' home. I think the course wiki is a great tool to use and I feel like I may be able to also integrate it into my classroom someday. My eyes have been open to several methods of teaching that could involve technology, rather than simply lecturing to students. For example, when making the slideshows, I chose to create one on the popular novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Since this novel is such a popular piece in the high school setting, I thought it would be neat to create a slideshow displaying the characters, setting, and other parts of the story. This would be a great way to allow the students to connect to the story, rather than hearing a teacher simply discuss the novel. I have bean able to learn a lot about integrating technology in various ways, and found the importance of creating a good learning environment for students. I believe this class will be extremely beneficial in the future, and I am eager to learn more about various types of technology that I am currently unfamiliar with.

What do I now know are some good reasons to use technology in the classroom?

Technology is an amazing tool that can enhance the classroom learning experience. The integration of technlogy allows the classroom to not simply be limited by a textbook. The instruction of students can be much more diverse, and has the capability of meeting the needs of various types of learning for additional practing for research. However, it is only as useful as the teacher makes it. After learning what types of tools will enhance the classroom experience, a teacher is able to use technology to engage students in their own learning experience. As Seymour Papert taught, technology can enhance creativity through graphic learning. Viritual reality is also a great way for students to see what they are studying in a different way, rather than simply flat on paper in a textbook. Technology also can assist the teacher in organization skills. To allow technology to be integrated in the classroom, the teacher is breaking down limitations that once existed.