Interactive White Boards in the Classroom

I read an article called "Teaching with Interactive Whiteboards" by Robert J. Marzano.  This article explained that interactive whiteboards can have a very positive effect on students and their learning, but if the whiteboards are used poorly, then they can have the opposite effect.  From this point the article gave a few examples of positive and negative ways a whiteboard can be used, which is very important for all teachers to know.  Though this article was fairly short and to the point, it has a lot of positive information for teachers to think about.  Technology in the classroom can be very beneficial to most students, and as teachers, we need to know the tricks and skills in the technology we use to make it most impactful for our students. 

Teaching with Interactive Whiteboards  <-- The article

Reflection #2

In one of my other classes we are talking about different special needs that our students will very possibly have in the classroom, and how we are going to adjust or accommodate to their needs.  Thinking about ways to make learning easier for certain students, I realize that technology has, and will, make a great difference for how students with special needs can learn.  Students who are hearing impaired can have hearing aids, speakers near their desk, and will benefit from reading from smart boards.  Kids in wheel chairs have motorized wheelchairs that they can steer with a joy stick at their fingertips. If a child has a hard time reading small print, there are machines that magnify the page onto a computer screen so that they are able to read it.  These examples are things that I remember my fellow classmates using in elementary school.  That was at least ten years ago, I know that technology has grown so much more since then, and that technology that special needs students use today has made a very positive impact on their lives.  While I feel that technology should not take over the lives of students, I also realize that it can be the one thing that makes learning a greater possibility for them, and I feel technology for special needs students is a very important part of technology that schools should continue to invest in. 

Links to other blogs

Sara Kochel
Jordan Henderson
Rich Skillman
George Mazurets
Jessica Henderson
Professor Adair

Reflection #1

I was nannying the other day, the mother is sometimes home while I am there so I just help watch the kids while she does other things.  When her boys got home from school around 4 o'clock, the oldest who is 9 asked if he could play video games, she said he could play until 5 and then he had to do homework.  When she was thinking about whether or not to let him play I thought to myself, should kids be allowed the priveledge to play video games before doing homework? I realize that this decision all depends on the parent, but it is still a topic to be thought about.  In this particular situation, the mother said she lets him play games before doing homework because it seems to get rid of some distractions for him, so that when it is time to do the homework, he's not thinking about when he gets to play games.  Though this logic makes sense, I couldn't help but think that video games are a priveledge that kids should earn.  If kids wanted to play after being at school all day, I'd rather send them outside to get fresh air and release some stored energy before doing homework, then once they finished their homework, allow them to settle down and play video games. 
There's no right answer to this situation, but it just became evident to me that technology really is what kids think about these days, and they turn to it first as entertainment.  Should kids at this age be given so much time and priority to video game playing even though that's where our future is heading? Or should parents somewhat force their kids to use their imagination to entertain themselves and have their kids go outside to play or do something artsy?  Like I said, there's technically no right answer to this question.  This little situation did show me the role that technology plays in a childs life, and also how far technology has come since I was 9 years old.  It makes sense why kids learn so much quicker using technology once you see what they have available to them in their own living rooms.

Turning on the Lights

This article was very interesting to me.  I never really thought about school being the place where students today "turn off the lights" since they have to turn off their technology gadgets.  This is because I know that things such as computers and cell phones can be a great distraction from learning in the classroom.  On the other hand, computers can be a great tool, if used correctly, to help students learn and not be bored out of their minds.  It is easy to see that the younger generation knows so much more about the world and technology than our older generations knew at their age.  This just means that as educators, we need to remain flexible and willing to change with the times. 
I personally do not want to have my classroom in the future be based solely on technology, I want my students to have an imagination outside of computers and television.  I am an outdoorsy person, and I love being active, and this is something that I feel the next generation is going to lose a passion for.  I can picture camping becoming a trip with RVs, TVs, video games, and eating out at meal times.  Getting out in the nature, away from phones and technology, is very refreshing and an aspect of life that I hope my students will want to venture out and do.  This being said, in my classroom, I think I will use technology enough to keep my students engaged, to allow them to use their creativity as they know it, to keep them learning about their future, but I will also have times where I put technology aside, we will learn in the more classic way, understanding there is another side to life that we need to explore and be a part of. 
This article made some very good points to why technology should be used in the classroom and why it is beneficial.  But I do not agree with everything said, for example in Prensky's Principles for Principals, he mentions that computerized exercise games should be introduced.  I feel that this is taking technology one step too far in schools.  Kids can play those games on their own at home, but when in school, students should interact with each other, learn new skills, know what it is like to work towards a common goal with a peer, and exercise in the fresh air playing games that make the mind think beyond looking at a TV.  Fitness in school is an opportunity to let our brains relax and take a break from technology, and a time to rejuvenate and allow our bodies to be fit and healthy.  All in all, this article had many good points to it and opened my mind to the idea of using more technology in the classroom, it also makes me a little nervous as to how much technology is going to take over our school system in the future.

First Reflection

When I was in middle school, I loved all of my teachers and they each had a big impact on my life.  From this experience I decided I someday wanted to be like them.  My mom is also a first and second grade teacher, so growing up I have helped in my mom's classroom many times.  These two experiences along with many others helped me come to the conclusion that one day I wanted to be a teacher, specifically a middle school teacher.  I have always loved kids, and teaching is one way I can have an impact on their life. As of now, I have not decided what subject I want to teach, but I am getting a humanities endorsement which will probably influence my decision.  Whatever I end up teaching, I know I will love it because I have a passion for kids and I want to be a positive role model for my students.
Looking specifically at what I want to learn this year I would say I want to learn about smart boards, using programs specifically used when teaching, and having technology in the classroom while still having the kids being interactive with each other and balancing how much time they spend on technology.  These are a few things I would like to look at this semester. I have not had a whole lot of experience with technology. I know the basics of internet, PowerPoint, and word.  I have not worked with much new technology other than iphones and ipods, classroom technology is fairly foreign to me, although I can usually catch on pretty quickly.