Feb. 23

Technology offers learners an additional method of gaining knowledge. As I have gotten older, I have had to adjust what methods of learning work best for myself. As a child, I hated reading; therefore, any opportunity to view media or listen to audio was ideal. As I continued my education, I have learned the benefits of reading and researching material. Presently I rely on technology to teach, prepare lessons, and learn new information. This is most effective for me because it provides a variety of options. I can download a podcast on the daily news, pull up today’s newspaper, or review united streaming clips on historical events.
Many times, I have prior knowledge on the subject or topic I am researching, and the internet allows me to narrow my focus and locate exactly what I am looking for.
While technology can provide endless possibilities, sometimes I rely too heavily on a sometimes unreliable source. The school I work in pushes the implementation of technology within our lessons, however what happens when the internet is down, or the mobile lab does not work, or the LCD projector breaks. I have to remind myself to be prepared because all machines are capable of breaking and then what do I do with 33 students who cannot complete a web quest.

Feb. 9 Classroom Technology

I strongly feel that technology in the classroom can be a tool to utilize and explain information or a hindrance in obtaining knowledge. In order for technology in the classroom to be successful it has to be implemented properly. For myself technology offers an additional differentiation of material and as a visual learner I benefit from the extra opportunity in understanding a new concept. One of my first experiences being taught with technology was with the use of power point presentation. In high school I struggled trying to take notes in a lecture style class, therefore the ppp allowed me to visual see and organize my notes. Many times pictures, sound bites, or video streaming clips were integrated into the ppp, as well. In my own classroom I try to use technology as a means of helping students understand the material. As a high school social studies teacher I feel that one of my jobs is to familiarize students with a research/gathering information process using the Internet. When teaching the Holocaust, I use our departments mobile lab, allowing each student the use of a laptop in the classroom. I then provide students with a web site and questions they have to answer. This allows students to use technology to research a important topic in history and to achieve a feeling of self exploration. I like using this activity because it is another opportunity to help students feel comfortable researching on-line.
I rationale using technology in the classroom when I feel the benefits out way the cons.