I had no clue when I set out to be a teacher that technology was going to become such a huge part of my career. Honestly, I've never been a technology buff and have never cared much for it, either. And while I am still daunted by the task of keeping up with such a technology-infused generation of students, I have to admit that the more I learn about what's out there, the more excited I become.
This week's class session opened my eyes to the numerous Web 2.0 applications that are available - and I must say, there is some pretty neat stuff out there that I can't wait to use in the classroom. Before today, I had no idea what "Web 2.0" meant! I am, of course, familiar with many Web 2.0 programs - Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and so on - but I did not know that the umbrella term for these interactive interfaces was "Web 2.0." And while I've always been old-fashioned in my love for paper-and-pencil, snail mail, and the written word, I can not deny that being able to interact with text from another teacher, student, friend, or whoever, is really neat - not to mention, endlessly useful in the classroom setting. I like the idea of having open forums to share questions, concerns, successes, and whatever else students find important. I feel that students will be much more willing to communicate honestly with classmates and teachers if done through a web-based program. Also, I feel that students will be much more interested and engaged if such technology is incorporated into lessons and projects. Heck, maybe I can even introduce students to a Web 2.0 application they've never heard of! Then wouldn't I just be the coolest teacher ever? I fully plan to utilize these capabilities in my future classroom!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Session 2: Data and Spreadsheets
Well, it was a close call this week in the on-going battle between Kari and technology. The final score? Kari: 2, Technology: 0. That's right, I have successfully stomped on the technology monster once again this week, even though it took me hours and hours of fighting with a spreadsheet!
I decided to do my whole spreadsheet assignment today, and let's just say it took a little longer than I had planned. I am quite glad that I immersed myself in this assignment, however, because I learned a great deal that is going to vastly improve my life as a teacher in the future. Up until this point, I had been calculating grades all by my lonesome, with no real method to the madness other than a calculator. Now, I can finally have the organizing and calculating of grades done for me! All I have to do is put in the formulas, then analyze the data once calculated. I actually have been meaning to jump onto the Excel bandwagon for a while now, but it seemed like such a big undertaking (and it was!), but now that I have the basics out of the way - the possibilities are endless!! I am looking forward to having this knowledge as I enter my career as a teacher, and know that it will be very helpful in the years to come.
I decided to do my whole spreadsheet assignment today, and let's just say it took a little longer than I had planned. I am quite glad that I immersed myself in this assignment, however, because I learned a great deal that is going to vastly improve my life as a teacher in the future. Up until this point, I had been calculating grades all by my lonesome, with no real method to the madness other than a calculator. Now, I can finally have the organizing and calculating of grades done for me! All I have to do is put in the formulas, then analyze the data once calculated. I actually have been meaning to jump onto the Excel bandwagon for a while now, but it seemed like such a big undertaking (and it was!), but now that I have the basics out of the way - the possibilities are endless!! I am looking forward to having this knowledge as I enter my career as a teacher, and know that it will be very helpful in the years to come.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Reflections on Session 1: Week of 1/17
Wow! I must say - I am a little more overwhelmed and intimidated already that I thought I would be. It's odd to admit, because I do not often feel intimidated in an academic setting - but unfortunately, I am lacking in technological skills and always have considered myself a true pen-and-paper girl. Needless to say, watching the videos ("Engage or Enrage Me" and "Digital Learners") made me cringe in fear, since I am 100% the teacher who prefers old-fashioned paper-and-pencils, word processing, and Powerpoint! Sigh. I have a lot to learn!
On a more positive note, I have already learned a great deal just from this first session! I found the article incredibly fascinating, and had no idea that up-and-coming technologies were tiered into "near term," "second-adoption horizon," and "far-term," regarding when they will find their way into the classroom. Knowing this information really helps me to focus and prioritize my own learning. I will certainly be looking into integrating iPads and cloud servers in my future classroom!
Additionally, this first session helped me to abolish my own views on technology in the classroom. While I always believed that technology is important and very useful, I did not think it was absolutely necessary in every classroom. But this view of mine failed to take into consideration the way students learn today, and the fact that depriving them of using the tools they know and love would be depriving them of reaching a deep and meaningful understanding of material. My prior view on technology in the classroom came purely from my own preference to keep instruction simple and to-the-point, and did not consider the interests of students today, or the way that they learn best. In all of my Temple classes, I have learned that an effective teacher is one that incorporates a student interests and life outside of the classroom into lessons and assignments to achieve maximum learning - and being up-to-date on technology in the classroom and unafraid to use it in lessons and projects is one way to achieve this as an educator.
On a more positive note, I have already learned a great deal just from this first session! I found the article incredibly fascinating, and had no idea that up-and-coming technologies were tiered into "near term," "second-adoption horizon," and "far-term," regarding when they will find their way into the classroom. Knowing this information really helps me to focus and prioritize my own learning. I will certainly be looking into integrating iPads and cloud servers in my future classroom!
Additionally, this first session helped me to abolish my own views on technology in the classroom. While I always believed that technology is important and very useful, I did not think it was absolutely necessary in every classroom. But this view of mine failed to take into consideration the way students learn today, and the fact that depriving them of using the tools they know and love would be depriving them of reaching a deep and meaningful understanding of material. My prior view on technology in the classroom came purely from my own preference to keep instruction simple and to-the-point, and did not consider the interests of students today, or the way that they learn best. In all of my Temple classes, I have learned that an effective teacher is one that incorporates a student interests and life outside of the classroom into lessons and assignments to achieve maximum learning - and being up-to-date on technology in the classroom and unafraid to use it in lessons and projects is one way to achieve this as an educator.
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