Because chapter 12 focuses on integrating
technology and creating change in the classroom, I feel it is important to stay
informed of the latest technology tools.
On page 300 of the textbook, there are a number of good resources that
could help. I found that ICT Magic
has a lot of useful web tool suggestions that could be used in the classroom. But it takes more than just having a list of
tools to refer to, according to Maloy on page 298, teachers need to have the
correct mindset to ask how computers, the internet and any other technology
tools can help students meet their learning goals.
I believe that integrating technology in
the classroom may be easier to implement for a beginning teacher. This is because they have not yet delivered
any lessons, so it would be easier to plan lessons around different technology
tools. Although, on page 303 of the
textbook, to integrate technology smoothly, teachers need administrative
support and professional development training and the necessary resources. The use of technology is intended to enhance
learning, therefore, as stated on page 304 when technology it used as a reward
or punishment it no longer is a valuable tool in the classroom. I believe is better for students to be taught
to have intrinsic motivation to complete their assignments or have good
behavior because this is more fulfilling and provides a sense of
self-satisfaction.
Even if I stay informed with the latest
technology tools and am prepared to use them in my lesson plans; if I do not
have access to them then I will have to make the best with what I am given. It will be important for me to be creative so
that the students will benefit from what is available to them in the
classroom. While doing observations,
most of the elementary classrooms I visited only had 4 or 5 computers. The idea of centers helps the teacher so that
she has more time to spend with the students and can address the different
learning styles plus the students get equal time on the computers which can
enhance whatever lesson was taught for that day.
Maloy, Robert,
Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park
(2013). Transforming
Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson
Education, Inc.
Staying informed about technology applications is an important expectation these days, even if you can't always access them in the ideal way! If you can't have iPads for every student, there are ways to use one iPad in a class and still meet instructional goals. Using centers is an incredibly efficient use of technology and instruction - you are not only allowing students opportunities to interact with content within technology, but you are also promoting collaboration and cooperative learning, if properly staged.
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