How do I think I will use this technology in my classroom?
I’m sure that there are many ways that technology is already used in classrooms, without teachers and students even thinking about it. I’m sure that I will use the current technology available in a variety of ways including the use of computers and calculators, using both still and video cameras, presenting material to the class in the form of slide shows, internet sites/activities, movies and even music.
What are my thoughts about using these technologies in my classroom?
Quite frankly this is an exciting notion as well as a scary one at the same time. I think there is so much that can be accomplished through technology that wasn’t available even 5 years ago. Opportunities for teaching, learning, and connecting with others that weren’t even imagined 10 years ago. There is so much information, so many resources, on any subject you can come up with, and you have it all right there at your fingertips. Teachers can not only access this information much easier, but it can also be organized and conveyed to their students in better formats, interactive experiences, presentations that can be viewed as the students are ready for them, and educational games and activities that can enhance a classroom experience.
I think that when people use the phrase “technology in the classroom” the first images that it congers up are of computers and the Internet. And while I don’t think that technology is by any means limited to these items, I think this is the biggest area of concern for teachers, parents, and administrations when the subject is brought up. While computers are definitely a part of today's daily life, and I think learning to use them and be comfortable with them at an early age is a good thing, we need to keep in mind that as many good things as there are out there in cyberspace, there are at least twice as many bad things. Satan as learned to harness the tools of man for his own evil purposes and doing it in a way in which man is sometimes completely oblivious. Even completely discounting all the scary things out there, easy access to inappropriate materials, meeting others who are misrepresenting themselves, situations that are meant to take advantage of the young or uneducated, or even just the time that can be wasted living in a virtual world, there are still other reasons to think that the classroom might not be the best place for technology.
Have we as a society become too dependent on having computers and the Internet? Do we forget that we can do things on our own? Even with my own kids, when we want to know more about something we don't head to the library to look for books or check out encyclopedias, or even find out if someone we know is knowledgeable of the subject. What is my children's first thought? "Let's google it!" I'm not kidding. In fact in our household we own 3 computers and this is the daily scene:
We've got my 7 yr old on one laptop.
Then my 5 yr. old on the desktop.
And even the baby gets in on the educational software fun with Daddy.My kids are using computers on a daily basis - education games, researching questions, finding current events, etc..... At this point my 3 yr. old would be complaining that it's her turn on the computer. So where, do I ask, am I supposed to do my homework?
So I guess the questions we really have to ask ourselves is does the good of technology outweigh the bad? Can we use such great tools in a way that they are closely supervised and made sure to be appropriate? I think the answer is yes, as long as we are informed and willing to put in the time and effort to seek out the right information to guide us in our technological adventure. I think the children of today, the leaders of tomorrow, can greatly benefit from as much diverse knowledge as they can receive. And in today’s world that definitely involves an understanding and familiarity with technology. They are going to learn about and use technology whether we introduce it to them or not – we might as well provide the proper environment and teach the proper skills to use that technology to their biggest advantage.
