Before taking this class I fully intended on incorporating technology into the classroom, I just wasn’t sure how I was going to do so. I was unaware of all the tools that are available. I thought of using technology more in the higher-grade levels rather than in an elementary school setting. I now am able to see how important it is to start incorporating technology early on and different ways to do so. I think one of the most important things we learned was that technology should really be incorporated into the lesson plans themselves; flowing together rather than being separate.
I am very grateful that I learned about a PLN. I have spoken with so many teachers that do not have one and I feel that it is really hurting them. I find myself going home after class and sharing all of the cool sites that we discover in class. I think the creation and upkeep of my PLN will definitely help me when I venture out and get my own classroom. There are so many stresses with becoming a new teacher; resources should not be one of them.
Right now I am a program para-educator at Bedford High School working with seniors. Even though I do not have my own classroom, I definitely plan on using what I have learned in class. By showing the students different tools that are available to help them study and by sharing the other tools with colleagues, I definitely think that I can make everyone’s life a bit easier. When I get my own classroom someday, it will depend what grade I teach as to what types of technology that I use.
Katelyn, I agree. I didn't know much about using technology in the classroom until we took this class. However, I'm glad we had the opportunity because now I know what a PLN is and why it will be important in our careers. Funny, I also thought that technology in the classroom was geared more so for older students as opposed to younger students. I didn't quite understand what it meant to use technology in the classroom with 2nd graders until our WebQuest assignment. Now I understand that a WebQuest is what you make of it and it's a great opportunity for students of any age to embrace technology.
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you, Katelyn. I think most of us went into this course thinking that technology ws more useful for older students, and we were unaware of just what was waiting for us resource-wise. Hopefully this knowledge is going to give us an edge when it comes time!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about establishing a PLN...what a great resource! I have referred to it many times over the summer while establishing a new class. It is nice to know that the problems that we face as teachers are not singular experiences...other teachers go through it too!
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