Integrating Technology into Classrooms

I think that teachers need to start integrating technology into their classrooms. The video that we watched today in lecture really made me think about how I will integrate technology in my classroom. Technology is a big part of society now and that older teachers need to face that times are changing and start using more technology. I also think that it is hard as a teacher to do something that you are not certain of and I think for most teachers they are not certain of what they know about technology. They don't want to make mistakes and so they just don't worry about technology. I think that once I become a teacher I am going to have to work hard to learn new things about technology and use them in my classroom. I also have to not be afraid to ask for help because sometimes I have problems about asking for help. Once teachers start to integrate technology into their classrooms they will realize how much fun and easy it can be for them and the students. Here is a website that has some information about how to integrate technology, http://712educators.about.com/cs/technology/a/integratetech.htm

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Computer Labs in Schools

I think that schools can think of better ways than to have computer labs in their schools. They don't have very many computer labs at schools but teachers still expect students to use the Internet as a source. This leaves students only opportunity to work on projects at home. Also every teacher in the school might want to use the same computer lab and so it is difficult to get into computer labs. A lot of schools also have their computer labs in the library so students are not able to talk a loud as they would in a classroom because they have to be quiet in the library. The library also has a lot of distractions around it as well. There can be other students in the library that can distract the students from their work. I think that it would be a lot easier on teachers and students if they just personal laptops for each classroom. I think that the teachers would like it more because they wouldn't have to plan around when they can get into the computer lab. I also think students would like it more because they would be able to use the computers whenever they needed them for their assignments. Here is a website that gives out alternatives to school computer labs, http://middlehighschool.suite101.com/article.cfm/alternatives_to_the_school_computer_lab

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SMARTboards

I personally have never used a SMARTboard before but I remember when we had our lab in the sec and there was a SMARTboard in the classroom. I think that they are very interesting and I would love to see one being used someday. I think that they are a wonderful addition to teaching and you can use them for many different things in your classroom. I think that really soon every teacher in every school should have one. They are very useful and the students will enjoy having them in their class. On the website they have free classes for teachers so they can learn how to use them. I wish that when I was growing up in elementary school that there was this kind of technology. I think that students now have greater opportunities because they will be able to learn so much more because they already know a lot about technology. Here is a website for you if you would like to have more information about SMARTboards http://smarttech.com/. Picture used for http://www.flickr.com/

Here is a video that can give you a better idea of how easy the SMARTboard is to use.

Cell Phones Used in the Classroom

I think that there are many pros and cons to allowing students to use cell phones in school. I think that they can be a distraction for the students because they could be texting their friends while in class. While they are doing this they will not be listening to what you have to say and you will have to repeat yourself. Also student's could take pictures of tests and send them to their friends. That is a few big concerns you have to think of when you allow students to have cell phones in class. Some pros for having them in class are that in a math class if a student needs a calculator they can just use their cell phone because many cell phones have calculators in them. Also in a class where there are no computers and a student needs to look something up for their group they are able to do that because most cell phones you are able to get on the Internet. I think that cell phone use is something that many school districts need to think long and hard about because what they are using now for regulations are not working. There are many ways that students could use their cell phone for good and most of the time people just think of the ways that they use them that are in appropriate. Here is a website that you can look at that has some pros and cons for cell phones is school. http://teachingtechnology.suite101.com/article.cfm/fair_cell_phone_use_in_schools

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Welcome To my World

Welcome to my new blog! I'm excited to share the things that interest me about education! Keep an eye on my site and I will try to keep you updated as much as possible!