Observing Technology in the Classroom

I was looking at the hours I spent observing my colleagues and I was thinking about how fortunate we are in our school district to have access to so much technology. I was also thinking how open minded so many of my colleagues are about technology. All of my colleagues use their laptops and Elmos (document cameras) and many use their Smart Boards on a daily basis. Our technology teachers provide video announcements every day, which the kids love.

 I hope to share some of my new found knowledge with my colleagues!

Implementing Technology

 I thought I would share how impressed I was by everyone’s lessons last weekend. It was great to be reminded how there are endless possibilities when it comes to implementing technology into our lessons. It was great to see a combination of uses, including Smart Board, free websites, registered applications, etc. In every course I have ever taken, I have always found that I learn the most when my colleagues and I teach each other – no offense to you, Pete!

Tech Standards – Wow!

When I was in elementary school, the extent of my computer experience included Oregon Trail and Print Shop. I remember kids in my class searching endlessly for Carmen Sandiego. But other than that, we were not expected to be very proficient with computers. Teachers were impressed if we could find the power button!

As I read through the New York State Standards while working on my presentation with my partner, we were amazed at how technologically advanced our students are.  As a seventh grade teacher, I am often impressed with some of the things my students are capable of producing. And their talents go well beyond Power Point presentations. Some of the things they have produced in Tech class are quite impressive!

It also frightens me that my students will one day zoom past what I know. One of the reasons I wanted to invest in a masters in instructional technology is so that I stay current. I hope I can keep up!

iTunes

For my first post, I thought I would mention how great I think it is that Stanford U. uses iTunes to connect with their students.  I would love to find a way to do that with my students. Is there a way I can record lessons of my own and post them for student viewing? Review sessions would be particularly great – kids can study while watching me from their computers at home.