The amount of technology used in classrooms today, makes the amount of technology used in my elementary education seem like the stone age. I vaguely remember a computer room down the hall from my classroom where we would often play typing games, but I do not have any memory of using a computer in my classroom. The computer lab in my middle school functioned mainly to play Oregon Trail and Dinosaur Adventure while in our mandatory hour long computer class. However, I did manage to retain how to insert clip art in a word document and how to create my very own slide show, among other things. Computers were also made available during my high school years. Here we learned how to research on internet, determine quality websites, and how to surf the web safely. I experienced a well rounded computer education during my middle and high school years, creating the knowledge of computers I have today.
Technology is everywhere and is almost impossible to ignore. My philosophy on the presence of technology in the classroom is, if you can't beat them join them. It is vitally important to teach students the skills, if not just the basic skills, to navigate around a computer successfully. Information is now at the touch of our fingertips and children need to know how to safely navigate around the internet. I intend to teach my students these necessary skills. Classrooms today are equipped with projectors, smart boards, and televisions. These learning aids can help students learn in alternate ways. Through the use of PowerPoint I can teach students the basic skills to create a slide show, an important tool to have for the future. Using educational video's or DVD's the students are experiencing an interactive approach to learning. Technology is very prevalent in the daily life of a young child and by incorporating technology in my classroom I am able to provide them with a enjoyable learning experience. I hope to teach 2nd grade and through exposing my students to technology at an early age, they will adapt to technology use as it requires them to.
In an ideal world every classroom will have technology, however we live in reality and in reality, schools are underfunded and not equipped with proper classroom technology. I understand the limitations of technology in the classrooms today because of funding, and I am prepared to be able to teach without them. Another challenge threatening technology use in the classroom is the teacher's understanding of technology. Having the appropriate skills is vital to enhance student learning and help them build on strong foundations.
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Sarah - Your middle and high school experiences with technology sound similar to many of your classmates' experiences. It's interesting how many districts employ the "trickle down" approach to technology...the "best" technology is given to the upper grades while the elementary kids are left to labs and leftover machines. We have to change this practice if we expect students to be fluent in the use of technology by the time they enter 6th grade.
ReplyDeleteYour ideas to use a specific program (such as PowerPoint) to teach basic skills are sound - you should be looking for ways to teach many skills through the same vehicle - but beware! Undertaking a project like that with novice users will take a HUGE amount of time. I'm not trying to discourage you, instead, my goal is to paint an accurate picture so you know what to expect when you get there.