It is commonly thought that teachers' understanding of technology is behind the knowledge of their students. Classes such as Technology for Teaching are meant to inform teachers on effective ways to use technology and teach skills relating specifically to subject matter to enhance learning capabilities in their pupils. I expect that the purpose of this class is also to encourage lifelong learning in teaching through technology, keeping up with advancements in an attempt to teach students with the very best technology. The resources that my school used as I grew up have changed significantly. From Oregon Trail on Apple computers to cds with math concepts/games to Microsoft word, excel, power points, and making our own videos, education has made enormous strides to improve the way students learn through resources such as these. I have not taken a computer class since high school so I expect at least a few challenges and surprises along the way. However, I use technology very frequently in my everyday life so I feel that I may have some skills that will relate to this class. For example, I was selected to be a UIS Blogger last year and since have become very familiar with the site. I'm excited that we have this opportunity to use technology to creatively express ourselves while accomplishing the goals of the class.
Sara:
ReplyDeleteGood luck with trying to 'compete' with what students are already know about technology ! That's a challenge for all of us! Especially given that you may have limitations due to the availability [or non-] of technology and whether or not it is the latest [or not] and greatest!
However, you are right in needing exposure to the basics of computers for classroom use and how to take that and make it work in the classroom and that's what this course is mainly about...
Do know that there are multiplicities of software titles available today, for use in the classroom...how are you going to address this, given your agenda of teaching the content of your subject as well?
It's called 'just in time learning.'
No longer will it be feasible for students to 'learn everything there is to know about the software [or hardware] before using it.'
Especially, given that no one technology course will be able to address/keep up with the myriad technologies in use in classrooms today.
Instead, it becomes imperative for us as teachers to teach students only what is needed about the technology to get the assignment or project done, including pointing them to in-class techno-spurts [students who may be expert users in particular technology] or the use of help avitars, help features that come with most technologies available today or tutorials...
In other words, everybody becomes a learner/teacher in the technology using classroom.
I will spend some time addressing the use of newer technologies such as SmartBoards in the K-12 classroom, I have noted that and will see if we can set up a session with the Technology department to demonstrate the use of the SmartBoard.
Dr. Herring