Several things stood out to me from the reading we had for this week. First, was a quote by Muffoletto saying "Technology...is not a collection of machines and devices, but a way of acting". Wow, do I need to change my view. I really want to get to this way of thinking. I'm not there entirely, but definitely on my way.
I liked the technology in education timeline and found it very interesting that the first computer used for education was in 1950 and was a flight simulator. This was interesting to me due to the time, use of technology, and the fact that my father-in-law is a retired pilot who has talked to me about using this technology to train pilots in similar programs. Another point that struck me was the fact that the World Wide Web is only 17 yrs. old. In technolgy that's pretty old, but in comparison to how long we've had access to it, that's not long at all. Another statement that hit home for me was that we cannot raise student achievement simply by using technology, we have to implement it in the right conditions and with appropriate applications. So true!
The other readings had to do with our technology plans and laying the framework for how that was to be done and what types of things need to be addressed and included. This seems to be a very daunting task to me when layed out in this manner. I am using technology at my school and believe that I am using it in ways that are more advanced than a lot of the other teachers at my school and still I recognize that there is so much more that I could do. I see teachers who are using the SMARTboard as glorified big screen tv's (which is fine in some instances), but they don't realize all the possibilities that are at their fingertips. I have several teachers at school who are simply overwhelmed by technology and will even refuse an ELMO simply because they break out in sweats just thinking about something else that is new and foreign to them. Thinking about these teachers and the fact that I will be learning how to step up and sway them over to the side of technology and all it's enlightenment is going to be a challenge. Not a challenge for me to show them all the wonderful options and possibilites, but a challenge to make them use it in the same ways that I do. I know several of them want to learn, but wanting and doing/implementing are totally different. This was also evident in an article I read recently through Google Reader about teachers who thought they were using technology, but the students had a different opinion: http://www.convergemag.com/classtech/Tech-in-Class-Report.html
Every week I am inspired to do more and learn more in technology. I am so happy to be involved in this program and am excited about all that knowledge I'll have when this program is finished. The funny thing is, now that I think about it, with the way technology advances this will continually be life-long learning.
Muffoletto's quote stood out to me too! This reading really made me think about my views and made me think about issues I had not taken the time to contemplate before.
ReplyDeleteIn taking these classes, I realized how little technology I was using in my classroom. I thought I was kind of up to date. I shot that idea down as I realized how much more was out there. I was given an ELMO last year and I am able to use it more this year. I also have a Smartboard that I mostly use for instructional purposes. I know there is more I can do with it. I just need to find the time to play with it even more.
Taking this class also has me inspired to learn more and get my hands on activities that I can use in my classroom.
Before I saw the quote, I was beginning to notice tha my thought process of technology was beginning to change. I was beginning to see that technology was not just about technology. I realized that it is about using it and incorporating it in you education lessons. I, too, was shocked when I looked at the time line about technology and realized that I was 13 when the internet came into existence. It seems like it has been around so much longer but it is relatively new.
ReplyDeleteThe reading and class has definitely helped to make me more aware of USING technology. I feel like I keep repeating myself but I am looking forward to become a better technology facilitator.
QUESTION: WHAT IS ELMO?
I love how you picked out that quote from the text! It is hard to think of technology as anything more than computers and the internet, but it really is so much more than that. I'm glad that we all are changing our way of thinking!
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to think that the internet is only 17 years old...just a teenager! The internet has become such a routine part of my everyday life. I can't really imagine what it would be like without it! When I look at the growth the internet and technology has made in the last 17 years, I am curious to see where we will be in 15 to 20 years from now. The possibilities are endless!
You are right that some teachers view SmartBoards as glorified big screen TVs. Good for you for implementing technology in your classroom and taking things to the next level. I bet you are a great example for the "technology-scared" teachers in your school building. I use a SmartBoard in my classroom and I am always looking for new ways to use the SmartBoard. software in my classroom to engage my students. I actually found a temporarily free online, self-paced course online. I will post more information about it on my blog if your interested.
The article you found is interesting! An interesting point that I noted...teachers should be implementing the technology from their personal lives into their classrooms. If I find iPods and smart phones interesting, then my students probably will also. I would like to survey my students to find out how they perceive the technology in our classroom. I might come up with a survey appropriate for my fourth grade students and see what they are thinking!
Instructional Technology is definitely life-long learning! I hadn't really made that connection before I started this program. I am also inspired by what we have learned so far!