Hello and welcome to my technology blog. Today, I am going to share with you my thoughts about my overall learning experience in my technology course that I am about to complete while on my quest for obtaining my Master's degree with IWU. This course has been so beneficial to me in so many areas of my professional career. The reasons for this are that I have never been interested or confident in using technology in my classroom setting. I have always considered myself a good teacher and able to teach without using technology. I never really thought of using technology as a way of teaching. I just thought of it as a tool to use to be more creative, another form of art if you will. I never thought of it as benefiting my own teaching and my students learning. HOW WRONG WAS I...I now understand that this is not just a fancy gadget just waiting to be used by other people. It is a learning device that I must use in my classroom and in my lessons to help my students reach their full potential. I recently shared with a friend that technology is like teaching a foreign language. It is something that will benefit students learning and my teaching. I have to learn the new language and share this language with my students, so that they can take their knowledge and enhance their lives.
I believe the greatest growth area for me with taking this course is understanding not to be afraid of something I don't know. To focus on one area at a time and to become proficient in that area of technology and go from there. I have learned that it is important to share with others and learn from others. I have discovered where to locate resources to help me learn more about certain technology. I have also learned that I will be a better teacher if I use technology to teach my 21st century students.
My teaching practice has already changed since starting this class. I am constantly trying to think of new ways to use technology in my classroom. Although, I am limited with the technology I have available in my classroom, I am seeking out other ways to use what I have. I am also conferring with fellow colleagues about technology they have and how we can share it to benefit us all.
I believe as time permits, I will become more knowledgeable about what tools in technology will work for me. I will use them in my classroom and will allow my students to use technology to enhance their own learning.
This has been a very successful course for me, and I plan on referring back to the information I received in it often.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Ongoing development in technology
Hello techie followers, and welcome to another insightful blog from me related to my technology development. In today's blog, I would like to share with you my thoughts about encouraging my fellow colleagues to continue to grow in their technology integration in the classroom setting.
I believe the best way to encourage colleagues to continue to grow with integration of technology in their classroom is to provide opprotunities for colleagues to engage in the use of technology. I believe that inservices should be provided for teachers to be introduced to technology that can be used in their classroom setting. The use of youtube videos, professional articles, and the use of social media can all be implemented to assist with teaching teacher about using technology in the classroom. However, teachers must introduced, educated, and given purpose for using technology in the classroom. For me, the best way to teach technology to teachers will be to use the technology myself. I will continue to learn and grow myself using technology and as I become more proficient in technology then I will share this will fellow colleagues.
I believe the best way to encourage colleagues to continue to grow with integration of technology in their classroom is to provide opprotunities for colleagues to engage in the use of technology. I believe that inservices should be provided for teachers to be introduced to technology that can be used in their classroom setting. The use of youtube videos, professional articles, and the use of social media can all be implemented to assist with teaching teacher about using technology in the classroom. However, teachers must introduced, educated, and given purpose for using technology in the classroom. For me, the best way to teach technology to teachers will be to use the technology myself. I will continue to learn and grow myself using technology and as I become more proficient in technology then I will share this will fellow colleagues.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Using Various Internet Technologies
Hello followers, and welcome to another insiteful blog entry where I discuss my concerns and interest in the use of technology in the classroom setting.
Today, I would like to discuss with you about my concerns I have with using various Internet technologies in my classroom setting. I would like to begin with discussing how to use technologies tools or resourses in my Kindergarten classroom. I have created so far with the current course I am enrolled in a WebQuest page, Web page, blogg page, and learned how to use other technologies such as podcast, and smart technology. I guess my biggest concern with using this technology is the pace I need to set to be able to use the technology daily. Sometimes I start to feel very overwhelmed with all the technology that is available. I feel I get very confused on all the things I should be doing with my students. I want to prepare my students for 21st learning, but I want to also make sure that I am creating lessons that are informative and relative to their learning. I believe this where my weakness happens when trying to use various technologies. I don't always know the most appropriate tool to use to develop engaging technology lessons.
I'm not absolutely sure how to alleviate these concerns. I believe that some of my concerns also comes with being new to my current grade level. I am hoping that as I become more familiar with the curriculum and standards this will help me to know what and where I can use technology more effectively. I know that the more I am exposed to technology the more intriqued I am with using it. So I am hoping that as time passes I will become more of a technology teacher and less of a technology user.
Today, I would like to discuss with you about my concerns I have with using various Internet technologies in my classroom setting. I would like to begin with discussing how to use technologies tools or resourses in my Kindergarten classroom. I have created so far with the current course I am enrolled in a WebQuest page, Web page, blogg page, and learned how to use other technologies such as podcast, and smart technology. I guess my biggest concern with using this technology is the pace I need to set to be able to use the technology daily. Sometimes I start to feel very overwhelmed with all the technology that is available. I feel I get very confused on all the things I should be doing with my students. I want to prepare my students for 21st learning, but I want to also make sure that I am creating lessons that are informative and relative to their learning. I believe this where my weakness happens when trying to use various technologies. I don't always know the most appropriate tool to use to develop engaging technology lessons.
I'm not absolutely sure how to alleviate these concerns. I believe that some of my concerns also comes with being new to my current grade level. I am hoping that as I become more familiar with the curriculum and standards this will help me to know what and where I can use technology more effectively. I know that the more I am exposed to technology the more intriqued I am with using it. So I am hoping that as time passes I will become more of a technology teacher and less of a technology user.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Software Applications
Hello, it is me again, and I am here to share with you my thoughts and questions about the use of software applications. I actually had to look up the difinition for software applications because to be honest with you I really wasn't sure what consist of software applications. As it turns out, I use more software applications then I realized.
I currently use Microsoft Office, some PowerPoint, Outlook, Internet Explorer, and a little Adobe Photoshop. I use all of these applications for a variety of teaching skills.
I would like to become more efficient with using PowerPoint, Excel, and Smartboard technology. I believe the use of these applications could enhance my teaching.
I hope to prepare an outline of how I can become more knowledgeable of these applications and use this knowledge to prepare lesson plans for my classroom. I am currently researching these applications and how to use them in the classroom. I am also forcing myself to create powerpoint slides for introducing topics in my classroom. I am also researching the use of Smartboards in the classroom. I am hoping to become more knowledge of the uses of Smartboards and then hopefully write a grant to try and get one for my Kindergarten classroom. I believe this would really enhance my students learning in the classroom and more interactive and relevant for the students. This will be a continuing process that I am determined to become more cofortable with using.
I believe that to continue to grow in the profession of teaching I must continue to try and become the best educator I can be for my students. I believe I shouldn't expect anything more from my students that I am not willing to do myself. Also, I don't want to try to get my students to do an assignment that I can't do well myself. Pride is a terrible thing to waste. :-)
I currently use Microsoft Office, some PowerPoint, Outlook, Internet Explorer, and a little Adobe Photoshop. I use all of these applications for a variety of teaching skills.
I would like to become more efficient with using PowerPoint, Excel, and Smartboard technology. I believe the use of these applications could enhance my teaching.
I hope to prepare an outline of how I can become more knowledgeable of these applications and use this knowledge to prepare lesson plans for my classroom. I am currently researching these applications and how to use them in the classroom. I am also forcing myself to create powerpoint slides for introducing topics in my classroom. I am also researching the use of Smartboards in the classroom. I am hoping to become more knowledge of the uses of Smartboards and then hopefully write a grant to try and get one for my Kindergarten classroom. I believe this would really enhance my students learning in the classroom and more interactive and relevant for the students. This will be a continuing process that I am determined to become more cofortable with using.
I believe that to continue to grow in the profession of teaching I must continue to try and become the best educator I can be for my students. I believe I shouldn't expect anything more from my students that I am not willing to do myself. Also, I don't want to try to get my students to do an assignment that I can't do well myself. Pride is a terrible thing to waste. :-)
Sunday, October 2, 2011
21st Century Teaching and Learning
Hello fellow bloggers!
I hope you are enjoying my insite and thoughts about using technology in the classroom setting. In this entry, I would like to discuss 21st century learning with the use of technology. The first question I want to ask is related to how prepared I am for teaching and learning about 21st century education. I believe that through my learning of technology I am becoming more comfortable with useing some tools available through technology. Some of my fear of technology is starting to fade some what. As far as teaching it I still not truly confident in my ability to teach tecnology. I need to spend more time focused on a specific tool and how to use it and approach intergrating technology at a slower pace so that I benefit my students and not confuse them.
I don't believe my students are leaving my classroom fully prepared for all that 21st century learning has to offer. However, I do know that students are more exposed to using technology and learning from technology that I have felt will enhance the curriculum and express the message effectively to the students.
I believe my strengths with teaching 21st century skills are that I am becoming more aware of how important it is that I prepare myself for teaching students through the use of technology. I am becoming more confident in just trying different technology and embracing the use of if in my classroom. My challenges are to use the tools of technology effectively in my classroom. It is not just something I want to use once or twice and then introduce it to my students and do nothing more with it. I want to use like I would my books. I want to investigate with my students, explore it with my students, and learn from it with my students.
21st century learning is a process for both me and my students. However, I am more determined to use it in my classroom and try to prepare all my students for a lifetime of 21st century learning.
I hope you are enjoying my insite and thoughts about using technology in the classroom setting. In this entry, I would like to discuss 21st century learning with the use of technology. The first question I want to ask is related to how prepared I am for teaching and learning about 21st century education. I believe that through my learning of technology I am becoming more comfortable with useing some tools available through technology. Some of my fear of technology is starting to fade some what. As far as teaching it I still not truly confident in my ability to teach tecnology. I need to spend more time focused on a specific tool and how to use it and approach intergrating technology at a slower pace so that I benefit my students and not confuse them.
I don't believe my students are leaving my classroom fully prepared for all that 21st century learning has to offer. However, I do know that students are more exposed to using technology and learning from technology that I have felt will enhance the curriculum and express the message effectively to the students.
I believe my strengths with teaching 21st century skills are that I am becoming more aware of how important it is that I prepare myself for teaching students through the use of technology. I am becoming more confident in just trying different technology and embracing the use of if in my classroom. My challenges are to use the tools of technology effectively in my classroom. It is not just something I want to use once or twice and then introduce it to my students and do nothing more with it. I want to use like I would my books. I want to investigate with my students, explore it with my students, and learn from it with my students.
21st century learning is a process for both me and my students. However, I am more determined to use it in my classroom and try to prepare all my students for a lifetime of 21st century learning.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Technology Use in the Classroom
Hello, and welcome to my first entry on my new blog page. I'm a Kindergartern teacher at a small school in southern Indiana. I am currently enrolled in a Master's program at IWU. I am excited to be in the education field and hope to make a difference for all young people as they begin their journey in elementary school.
The topic I want to discuss today is how technology is used in my school and in my classroom. I have started to take technology more seriously in my classroom setting. It is very difficulty to incorporate technology with kindergarten students. You have to start at the very beginning and that is just introducing students to a computer. Most students know what a computer is but have no idea how to use one or what they are used for. However, I have found they are very excited about them. So it is my job to introduce them to this very fun and interactive tool. After reviewing the NETS standards, I know how critical it is to make sure I am preparing all my students for a positive learning environment using technology.
I believe some of the barriers I struggle with in using technology in my room are the lack of computers and updated technology equipment availble for students. I also believe my lack of security with using computers, as a teaching tool, adds to the other barriers I have metioned. All of these barriers, followed up by lack of training and time makes for a very tense situation.
The biblical directive "Fear Not" has a strong hold on my teaching with technology. I am always fearful of something that I don't understand. I have never allowed myself to just embrace technology and try to learn from it. I have difficulty letting go and exploring with technology. I am afraid of failure. There I said it...I am afraid of failure or admitting I don't understand how to use technology.
My personal goals for using technology are to just try it. I don't want to just try it for this class. I want to try it and then use it. So many times I am introduced to something with using technology and then I don't use it for whatever reason. This time I want to force myself to use it more. To let go of my fear and just do it or use it! I want to create fun ways for my students to use technology in the classroom setting. I want to show my creative using technology.
I want to be a Technology User and not a Technology Loser!
The topic I want to discuss today is how technology is used in my school and in my classroom. I have started to take technology more seriously in my classroom setting. It is very difficulty to incorporate technology with kindergarten students. You have to start at the very beginning and that is just introducing students to a computer. Most students know what a computer is but have no idea how to use one or what they are used for. However, I have found they are very excited about them. So it is my job to introduce them to this very fun and interactive tool. After reviewing the NETS standards, I know how critical it is to make sure I am preparing all my students for a positive learning environment using technology.
I believe some of the barriers I struggle with in using technology in my room are the lack of computers and updated technology equipment availble for students. I also believe my lack of security with using computers, as a teaching tool, adds to the other barriers I have metioned. All of these barriers, followed up by lack of training and time makes for a very tense situation.
The biblical directive "Fear Not" has a strong hold on my teaching with technology. I am always fearful of something that I don't understand. I have never allowed myself to just embrace technology and try to learn from it. I have difficulty letting go and exploring with technology. I am afraid of failure. There I said it...I am afraid of failure or admitting I don't understand how to use technology.
My personal goals for using technology are to just try it. I don't want to just try it for this class. I want to try it and then use it. So many times I am introduced to something with using technology and then I don't use it for whatever reason. This time I want to force myself to use it more. To let go of my fear and just do it or use it! I want to create fun ways for my students to use technology in the classroom setting. I want to show my creative using technology.
I want to be a Technology User and not a Technology Loser!
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