Class 1 HW- Reflection

Watching these videos were not as eye opening for me as I thought they would be. I use social networking for my side business daily. It has generated more business than face to face contact. The video showing the students holding up statements was very intriguing. It showed what goes through a college students mind. An interesting take on it would be to see what went through a college students mind in the 90s, 80s and 70s compared to now.

Technology has huge implications on teaching. Students are now having cell phones in 2nd and 3rd grade. Do they need them? No, unless there is an emergency. Do they play with them and use it to text their friends... .sadly they are doing this so young. Technology needs to be implemented in classrooms in a controlled setting. Students need to know the implications of what they do online before they do anything. In my fourth grade class, the students were to type a report. All students turned in typed reports. The directions noted that if the student is unable to type it THEMSELVES then they are to hand write it neatly. It was shocking when we went to the computer lab to type up Mother's Day poems and 80% of the class was unable to get started typing. Our school has a computer lab, but sadly most of the time students just play Mavis or EveryDay Math games. They should be learning how to use a computer correctly, how to make a PowerPoint, type a paper, make formulas in Excel. I was fortunate enough to have a father who was a computer geek. He had a computer as soon as they were available to the public. He taught me how to use a computer very early on and I benefit from it today.

Now with more and more classrooms becoming Smart connected, students should be able to understand material in a different way. Now we can visually put up an item on the screen instead of just writing it. YouTube, Websites, Publisher sites, can all be used to help visually teach students. One con to technology is the ability to bully students outside of the classroom. This is becoming an increasing problem and needs to be addressed. Students now have the capability to bully students online, where more people can become involved and antagonize the bullying.

I don't think my idea of a role of teacher has changed from watching these videos. I always had an intention of using technology to it's fullest in a classroom.

I learned that students today are consumed with the technology that is around them. I know that I have sat on Facebook for hours before even realizing it, or browsing the web for hours. Students need to still be able to learn what they need to learn and if you need to make it so that technology is embedded in your lessons, then you should do it!

Reflection 1- Essential Conditions

In the current location that I am at, there are a lot of conditions that were listed in the list. It does have a great shared vision at the school. All teachers work together helping each other with their new technology. The school has recently upgraded their technology at the school. Each teacher has received a new MacBook and three new iMacs in their classroom. They also received SmartBoards in each of their classes. 90% of the teachers are very resistant to the new technology and the other teachers who are tech savvy help  all the time.  The principal is very empowered and is attempting everything possible for adequate funding for his school. There is ongoing learning and support for all teachers at this school and they are very student centered. Students are able to get a lot of resources at this school compared to others that I have been at. One flaw I see in my own classroom is my master teachers assessment tools, there is not a lot of evaluation and implementation after she assesses the students.

These conditions are very sensible and are needed in all types of work environments, not just education. The most essential are ongoing professional learning and technical support. Without proper training teachers will not use their new technology and it will go to waste.

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I am currently a student teacher in a lovely 4th grade class. I am only doing this for my tech class!!!!!