Finial Reflection Paper IT 7360 Journal/Reflection Work
2001
Finial Reflection Paper IT 7360
December 4, 2001
IT 7360
1. How prepared do you feel to enter the classroom and use technology in a lesson?
I feel very prepared to enter the classroom and use
technology in any lesson. If the resources are available, I plan on using
technology as much as possible. The kids really enjoy different ways of
learning, and my using technology can really help in their learning. I am good
at picking up new software quickly; so, any recommendations my fellow colleagues
make, I can try to implement. I have been using computers for so long that I
feel like I can easily adapt some part of a lesson I am giving to include
technology. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a computer; I can use the
interactive smart board or graphical calculators too.
I also came to a conclusion the other day between
helping some fellow classmates and my methods of learning. The last time I built
a web page was my first year at UGA (I was a sophomore by hours, but I had just
graduated from high school that May). This semester at Georgia State, I was
asked in at least three of my classes to do work and then post it on the web.
Well, at the beginning of this semester I panicked a bit because it has been so
long since I built a page, that I couldn’t even remember what software I used
at UGA to originally do it. So, instead of waiting until the due dates were
looming, I first tried to learn as much as I could on my own through
experimentation with things I could put my hands on (like Geocities, Claris Home
Page, FrontPage, etc,). Then when I had exhausted my limited capabilities, I
started bugging people-my science professor, people at work, my computer geek
brother, and I learned it and listened to what they had to say. I say all of
this because I think I have the ability (motivation) to figure something out
(technology speaking) instead of saying I can’t do this; I can’t figure this
out, and this is the first time I have ever had to do this. I really wanted to
say I learned how to do this this semester too! Now, I have over 60 pages
posted. So, I finally decided that I am prepared to enter the classroom and use
technology because I surely do not know how to use every software, but I am
willing to learn and not make excuses.
2. What might help you to put what you've learned in this class to use in the classroom?
The main thing that would help me put what I have learned in this class to use is practice. I am very familiar with most of the software presented in class, but I am not as familiar with some of the software specific to education. It could not hurt to practice with them more so I can learn all of the tricks and short cuts. That way I can enable my students to do the most creative and complete job possible. Resources are also key. Hopefully I will be in a school district where we have lots of software with site licenses, digital cameras, printers, scanners, and computers. I know this sounds far fetched, but I can dream. I am even considering buying some of the supplies myself if the school doesn’t have it. For example, the cord that connects your computer to your TV so you can show web sites and even power point presentations.
3. What impact will the level of technology resources in your school or future school of employment have on your teaching?
I should have read question three before I started carrying on in question two! The level of technology resources in the school greatly affects any technology savvy teachers lessons. If the school does not place an emphasis on technology by purchasing up to date supplies, the teacher is somewhat limited in her creative teaching of lessons using technology, and the kids will miss out on some great hands on learning. I think if a school does not make technology a priority, the kids will suffer greatly. The world is using technology in just about every aspect, and if the kids do not have teachers and schools that support their technology needs, they will be left behind, and when they get to college and out into the “real world,” they will be falling behind.
4. In your opinion, can technology help teaching and learning?
Technology can defiantly help teaching and learning. Graphing calculators, visual books, WebQuests, interactive demos, the list goes on. One example, Web cams, can take you on a virtual field trip or interact with another teacher’s classroom in another country!
Whether the topic is another country, a distant city, natural disaster, or a sporting event, Web cams provide students with a bird's-eye view that enhances their understanding. As the number of Web cams increases, teachers are finding great new uses for this technology -- whether it's visiting cams online or establishing their own windows on the world! (Cara Bafile, Education World).
Kids can even present their research in creative ways instead of just using the old tried and true method of a poster demonstration. They can use Kid Pix Deluxe, Hyper Studio, Inspiration, or Kidspiration. As a teacher, you also probably give notes. The least productive way to do this is to have the kids copy yours off the overhead. Instead, the kids can takes notes with Inspiration which can help the kids organize the information and even add more later!
5. How do you plan to keep up with changes in technology as your move through your teaching career?
I was interested in enrolling back in school to get a Specialist in IT for education-in hopes to one day consider being the technology teacher in the school I work for, but I have been informed that I need three years of experience; so, that will have to wait. But, I love computers, and I plan on being on them daily for the rest of my life; so, I don’t think I‘ll get behind. I also think it is a good idea to network with other teachers about how they are using technology in their classroom and read technology literature related to education to also help keep you up to speed. It also can’t hurt to explore the library for software that is just sitting on the shelves to see if any of it would be useful in your classroom.