I feel I was pretty inspired about the use of technology in my classroom when I first even started in the teaching program. Like the video from Oceanside N.Y. the teacher was preaching student self awareness of technology, because we don't know what the changes will be like in the future so teachers and students must be self assured that they are using technology effectively.
At the Booker T. Washington Magnet school the teacher offers most of his classwork to be available online, using students activity on the web to help set up a subject area lesson guide. By providing notes, assignments, blogging and discussion boards online, they get students ready for types of activities they will use in college or beyond and it helps utilize the technologies available to give inspiration for the students to want to do their work on the computer. So I think this is a very good view of how to set up a middle school or high school classroom. Now his difficulties would be those students who do not have internet access at home, other than the school or local library, I would ask him "How he makes sure students who do not have access to the internet, still have the opportunities that he has within his classroom?" I know that most students have access to the internet, but with the way the economy is, there are probably a lot of people who don't.
I also think utilizing the smart board and everything it has to offer is a huge asset to a classroom, especially for first year teachers. I think the program helps teachers gain access to items on the internet that will help give them inspiration for teaching and also provide numerous ways of interpreting material for students to actively engage them in their learning!
First of all, I think it takes real guts for teachers put their teaching online for everyone to review (and criticize!), so I admire these teachers tremendously.
ReplyDeleteI would guess that the more progressive schools (in regards to integrating technology) must have invested a lot of time and effort into both training their teachers and in educating and gaining the support of the parents. I can't imagine how they'd be successful otherwise. But I sure think the students benefit from that time and effort!
Videos like these always give me food for thought - and help me figure out what questions need answered before I implement a resource in my classroom.