This summer I signed up to take an online technology course called "Tech-Infused Teacher". Personally, I like to think of myself as a pretty savvy technology instructor. I use technology daily in my second grade classroom, and I am always trying to look for new technology sites or ideas for my students to use. Currently, my district offers a Smart Board for each teacher, a computer lab, a few classroom desktops, and one-to-one computing for the students. I am very lucky because my students have many opportunities to use technology throughout the day. I signed up for this summer course for quite a few reasons.
First, I have not taken any college courses recently and I felt like I needed to get back into the classroom setting (as a student). I graduated from college in 2008, and I finished my Master's in 2011. I have taken professional development and attended many summer workshops throughout this time, but I still feel like I am missing out on something. I miss learning new things, and discovering new concepts. Most of all I miss the change.
Second, technology has always interested me and I always feel like I want to do more. Every year I try to add new things to my classroom because I like to change things for myself and my students. Sometimes I start the year with new ideas, and other times I add something in towards the middle of the year. Next school year, I am hoping to come back with lots of new ideas.
Third, I'd like to provide my students with new ideas surrounding technology. Kids love technology whether its video-games or tablets or computers or phones. They love it all! I have found that children are much more technology savvy than I think sometimes. I worry that they might not know how to do something or that they may be "too little", but I am always pleasantly surprised with their capabilities.
I hoping this course can help me feel confident in my technology teaching tools. I also hope to leave this class with lots of new ideas for my classroom, and maybe even my own personal use! I am looking forward to working with everyone this summer!
Melanie - I appreciate your feelings of wanting to keep up with learning, I threw myself into Advanced Placement teaching 7 years ago and have spent most summers at AP workshops but we are becoming a 1+1 school and I felt this was the summer to bust out. I have 7 more years of teaching and want to stay current till the end.
ReplyDeleteThank you! One to one computing is fun--my district is lucky enough to have that!
DeleteMelanie- I completely understand how you feel about learning new things and add them to classroom. By setting a goal once a month or once a quarter, I would learn a new tech item and add it to my lessons or class management. At times, it was overwhelming, but I kept at it. This class is just what I need!
ReplyDeleteI agree! I am excited to learn more in this class Julie!
DeleteMelanie- I completely understand how you feel about learning new things and add them to classroom. By setting a goal once a month or once a quarter, I would learn a new tech item and add it to my lessons or class management. At times, it was overwhelming, but I kept at it. This class is just what I need!
ReplyDeleteMy comment to fellow teachers is usually that my plan for technology is to not use it. I get frustrated because the internet doesn't work.....etc....Ha Ha. I use a document cameral a lot and the overhead projector in my classroom. So I am also excited to learn new things!!
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