Blending Two Worlds {entry #4}

This summer's lectures and projects that we have been working on since day one is to help us (future teachers) to prepare ourselves for the tough roads ahead in our teaching careers. Education 422 is specifically designed to help to blend the world of technology into the classroom. How can we take technology and make it a part of our student's world where they are not only learning about math, science, art, reading, writing but also leave a lasting impact for them. I want them to learn from technology and come to an understanding that technology can enrich my learning experience with my other subjects. But I also want my students to understand that technology shouldn't take control of their lives. They shouldn't be consume with it 24/7. I want them to be able to set boundaries for themselves; know their limits. In the past couple of weeks, I learned there are many ways to engage a student in the learning experiences. Incorporating technology in your classroom has the potential to motivate a wider generation of students.
Here are some suggestions to think about when you are trying to incorporate technology into the classroom.

1. Maximizing Student Engagement: I find that student engagement is at the top of the priority list when it comes to classroom technology. Technology should keep students in engaged and keep their curiosities rolling. By maximizing their technology time, we keep them coming back for more. This increases active learning, high-level thinking, they become more invested in learning and hopefully prepare them for the new digital age.
2. Computer Illiterate: before you can even start introducing techs and gadgets into your classroom, make sure you, as a teacher, know the technology, the purpose, it's usage and etc. At times, I think it can be okay to learning with the students, depending of course of the situation, the gadgets, the projects, etc. Teachers! There are plenty of tutorials out there on line, in stores, workshops, to help you through the process. Don't ever think that you are in it alone!
3. Time Savers: teachers and future: please be aware of this. Technology can actually increase the efficiency of your classroom and help you save time. You'll be able to cover more material in a more in-depth way and reach more students of different learning abilities and styles. So instead of feeling like you've been run over by a truck come Friday afternoon, you just might be able to put your feet up and relax.

These are just some of the common factors to consider when introducing technology into the classroom. They are not the definite. You can do some research on the internet to get some better ideas. Here are some websites that are worth taking a glance at.
http://www.edzone.net/~mwestern/
http://www.teachersnetwork.org/ntol/howto/incorptech/
http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/bruceperry/using_technology.htm
http://fno.org/mar98/flotilla.html
Hopefully these websites and my tips were of some help to you.
Tune in next week for my last entry! It's a real treat!