Technology in the Classroom

I believe that it is very important to incorporate technology into the classroom. Children of all ages can benefit from the use of technology in the classroom, whether used to assist in the teaching of a lesson, or used by the actual student to participate in the lesson. Students with disabilities can especially benefit from the use of technology in the classroom because they can accommodate various needs. For example, google forms (part of google docs) can be used to take tests. Students who need more time or have to take tests at home can use this tool to go at their own speed. Also, students are able to look up vocabulary words that a teacher might not explain during class and not interrupt class time. Also, the teachers use of a Smartboard, Elmo or use of PowerPoint can be beneficial and used for efficiency and up-to-date teaching with games and pictures. Instead of using an overhead projector, where everything shows at once, teachers can use technology so that with the click of a button, a new question, statement or message will appear. This is great for asking probing questions in a class, facilitating a discussion based activity or taking an oral test (with visual clues). Technology in the classroom can really enhance a student's learning. It can also encourage them to want to learn, rather than just going through the motions in the classroom!

Education!

Here's a link to a google presentation about some of my feelings, along with my classmates, on education and why we want to teach! I think being a teacher is such an honorable profession. Helping students advocate for themselves is one of the main philosophies I believe in!

Enjoy!

https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AcykCUUkIrGsZGhuNHo1Z2hfMmhmZnc5Y2hx&hl=en

Artistic Aesthetic Blog

I found the Artistic Aesthetic blog very interesting because i have never shadowed an art teacher, asked them their perspectives or seen how they work in their classroom. All i remember from art class in elementary school is how much my teacher loved art and the pretty holiday decorations that we were able to create. In this blog, the art teacher says that art is anything that involves creativity. Therefore, science, social studies, math, English, etc. can be art if you are able to make them creative. An art teacher teachers kids how to be creative. She says that art is universal. I took this to mean that all children can be artist, they just have to have someone teach them creativity in their learning.

http://academicaesthetic.com/2010/08/30/what-i-teach/

Class on October 5, 2010

Class on October 5th was very eye-opening and in my opinion, some parts were a bit depressing. Although as a future teacher i try to look at the good in teaching, sometimes it is hard to forget all of the trouble teachers have in the workforce, with the unions and in their difficult surroundings with many children. The conversation about being a teacher opened my eyes to the possibility of not necessarily always loving my job. When teaching it the schools now, i love working with the students and usually come home feeling accomplished. It is a gratifying job. Those are the things i want to take away from teaching when i someday have my own classroom.

Also, i felt that the speaker we had via skype was impressive in his ability to speak to our large classroom of students. Having Asperger's Syndrome is not an easy thing to live with, especially when you do not know the reason why you are different. His ability to speak to our class and articulate what he was thinking in an organized manner made me very impressed. I think it was a great experience listening to him speak because it allowed me to see Asperger's Syndrome from a different perspective. As a teacher, it is hard to ask children why they feel the way they do. It was great to get insight into why children with Asperger's syndrome sometimes feel out of place.

Digital Texts

I have mixed feelings about digital texts. While studying to be a future special education teacher, I have become more accustom to the idea of using digital books in the classroom. Personally, I dislike reading books and articles on a computer screen. I believe that I learn better, and more efficiently when I read off of paper or out of a book. It is easier for me to comprehend the material when highlighting and taking notes in the margins as I read. Although this is my preference, I currently have two classes that are paperless this semester. I am getting used to the idea of a paperless classroom, but print most articles to read. The idea of digital books for use in special education classrooms is amazing. Although some may find it to be a poor choice, I believe the resources provided that the resources provided through digital texts immensely help a child’s learning process. If a child is below grade level in reading because he or she has difficulty in processing the text, the e-books are able to read to that student. Also, e-books are usually read on up-to-date technology, which are usually small devices such as an iPAD or kindle. If a student does not know the definition to a word, or wants to make sure they understand the text, they can simply click the screen and the definition will appear.

Personally, I believe that I do better when reading off of paper or out of a book. But, on the other hand, I do not want to disregard the capabilities of a digital book and what it has to offer to students, especially those that struggling with reading. I believe that nowadays, technology is being used more and more in the classroom. I know that these e-books are a great resource for children to use in the classroom, and also at home. I am going to encourage my future students to use anything they can to gain more knowledge in the subject area I am teaching. With the up-to-date technology, especially digital books, our students can strive for excellence in reading. They can also take assessments at their own pace. Understandably, some may argue that students are able to have more time on tests they take on paper, but with an e-book, students can re-read the story as many times as they want, go to parts of the story they may not understand (without having a teacher to flip through the book for them), and then answer the appropriate question. I believe that e-books will be helpful in the future. I just have to get used to using them myself!