The Technology Compliation

Before this course, I thought technology was this abstract concept that had little if anything to do with classroom instruction. Also, being blind to the abilities and interests of today’s school children, I did not think most students would even have the slightest clue of what to do if technology was introduced and used in a classroom setting. I quickly found out the contrary. Today’s students are actually digital natives, and often times can teach me a thing or two about using technology (especially when it comes to video games and the like). With all that said and with all have learned about technology and its usefulness and practicality in the classroom, I would like to mention a few ideas I will be sure to incorporate into my classroom instruction.

I really like the idea of the digital movie making. I believe this will give students the ability to create something much more original and even more concrete than the typical written reports or traditional presentations. I also believe that it can be more informative and entertaining for the students as well as any potential audience. Not saying that school should be purely entertaining, but let’s face it, when things are fun to do, they are more likely to get done and usually the individual gets more out of doing it. Also, the different ways of making a digital movie including the digital movies with no sound, just words and pictures or the movies with sound and pictures, or even movies with all three. For me, the digital movies represent an excellent way to tap into a variety of student abilities and interests all while meeting instructional and educational goals and objectives and not being intrusive on the learning process.

Before using the blogs, wikis, and podcasts myself, I honestly thought that most people used those tools to gain a voice and publicly express opinions that may not be heard elsewhere. Now, while I still believe that to be true in some case, I have seen the actual usefulness and practicality of blogs and the like, especially in the educational arena. Upon exploring a plethora of educational artifacts on the web including teacher webpages, I have seen the different uses of blogs, wikis, and podcasts for instructional and classroom management purposes. I can definitely see myself using one or more of these tools as an instructional and or classroom management tool (especially when to keep in touch with parents and other education professionals).

A third technological tool that I have found very useful for my future classroom is the use of PowerPoint. We are all aware of the boring PowerPoints that many people unintentionally assemble and present for a variety of reasons. With the help of my professor, I have found a new degree of respect for the traditional PowerPoint. With the addition of a few details and effects that may be unknown or overlooked, boring PowerPoints can become universal design for learning PowerPoints and effectively be powerful instructional tools. More than just words on a slide, PowerPoints can be used to peak the learning styles of a variety of individuals and can be excellent enhancements to traditional lectures. PowerPoints can also be used to provide students with an alternative form of creativity and assessment.

Thanks to my professor, my eyes have been opened to the wonderful and useful possibilities that technology has to offer. I can honestly say that I will be sure to incorporate many of the technologies available. I am excited about the possibility of using these technologies to improve my classroom instruction and management and to build on my knowledge base and technological saviness.