In my health education classes with my older students I like to use technology in the classroom and allow them to get involved. Just recently I had a grade 7 group take a daily food journal for one day. In class I hooked up the LCD projector and my laptop to the Internet, and went to a website called calorie calculator. This site allowed the students and I to explore the amount of calories in the food they consumed over the course of that day. These sources as well as others are provided to the students, and they are encouraged to actively go to these sites with their families and times other than during school. Involving families is a way to build educational value and motivation (McLaren, 1989). The newest resource that I have discovered is Kids Health. This site provides kids with games, movies and experiments. I used this website for a grade four health class and they were completely engaged. A few students informed me later that week that they visited the site from home with their parents. I feel a great satisfaction when students use what they have learned in my class and share that with others. At PCS during our staff meeting we do what is called a tech share. Our grade six science teacher provided these links to a Globe Rider game and a Formula Fusion game. Although I don't necessarly use this site for games with my classes I thought it was interesting and fun.
In physical education I have found that even students who are not motivated for exercise can be with the use of simple technologies. The use of pedometers to track steps can be a valuable tool for non-motivated students, as well as video games such as DDR and Wii Fit. Technology tools such as these allow me different options and avenues to explore various ways to motivate my students so that they can receive physical education. It is very challenging to reach all students and find activities that intrest them, but I guess that is why I became a teacher: for the challenge. Cuban, in his book titled Why is it so hard to get GOOD schools?, makes some great points about public education. Teachers are the most important part of the school; teachers who motivate and encourage allow students to achieve success (Cuban, 2003). This to me is a great quote, I couldn't agree more.
Cuban , L. (2003) Why is it so hard to get GOOD schools? Teacher College Press, Teachers College, Columbia University.
Collins, A. Brown, J.S. and Haolon, A. (1991) Cognitive apprenticeship: Making Thinking Visible American education, 6-11: 34-46.
Holmes, B and Gardner, J., editors (2006) E-Learning: Concept and practice. London: sage publications p186.
Kulik, J. (2003) SRI international: Effects of using technology in elementary and secondary schools: What controlled evaluation studies say. Arlington, VA. May 2003.
McLaren, P. (1989). Life in schools: An introduction to critical pedagogy in the foundations of education. White Plains, NY; Longman, Inc.
Pomfret Board of Education (1999) telecommunications/Internet � acceptable use policy. Pages 1-7.
State Department of Education. (2007). Connecticut Code of Professional responsibility. Retrieved June 3rd, 2009 from
http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PDF/Cert/ethics/tchr_code.pdf.
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