Glad technology is a part of our schools

I will be the first to admit that I am afraid of technology. I was resistant to getting a smartboard in my room and anytime I have to do something that requires the use of technology I cringe. However, I am coming around to it and I am very glad that we have what we have. I could not live without my smartboard, now, and the things I am learning about technology are making me a better teacher.

Using technology with EC students

Using technology with EC students is an exciting way to give stduents opprotunities to express their thoughts without the pressures of conventional writing. I can't wit to introduce my students to this new world.

Technology

Our school is very fortunate with the technology that we have. Sometimes we don't have access to all the technology that is in our school which is challenging as a teacher.

Confronting technology

In today's digital world, school systems put emphasis on technology. We see the school's vision and mission geared towards 21st century. Technology is part of the curriculum standards as well as teacher classroom observation evaluation. Teachers need to be literate technologically. Also, teachers need to face the challenges technology brings to teaching.

I find that it can be really challenging to teach students word processing when I have 4 computers and only one has a working word processing program.

A Challenge

Funding is an important factor for a school to have new teaching technology tools. Technology tools are used to make learning and teaching more challenging and engaging in the classroom. Even in this 21st century era, there are still schools with less technology due to minimal funding. With a school with limited technology, the teachers are challenged on how they will capitalize the use of technology they already have to enhance teaching and learning in the classroom.

21st Century

I love to use technology in the classroom.  The incidents that hinder me the most from using computers in my classroom are the following: - availability of the resources, students accessiblity of internet at home and school,  etc.  These problems just stop me from using computers in the classroom.  How could I be  a 21st century teacher if I do not have the resources? I just hope that next year I could apply all the cool things I have learned in my Master's in my own classroom if the resources will be ever available.

Creating Pride in Students

I find that an effective way to cure many of these challenges is to engage by convincing students to take pride in their work. Students really feed off of teacher enthusiasm and your appreciation for their contributions to class.  My students really appreciated the time I took to create and post for their parents and friends a video showcasing the work they did for our science fair this year.
Check it out on youtube and make a comment please!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxq-OVnt534

Challenges in the Classroom

The purpose of this blog is to discuss the challenges educators face teaching 21'st Century skills to our students.  Some things to consider (at home and school) in this discussion are

• Types of technology
• Availability of technology
• Accessibility of techology
• Student skills
• Teacher training
• Administrative support
• NETS Standards/Standard Course of Study
• Integrating technology

To begin this discussion - in terms of technology, what is the greatest challenge you face in the classroom?