Week 5 EQs

EQ 1: Why should technology be part of the learning in the classroom?
Technology has become a way of life for many. Some people choose to use it for everything, while others only use it for certain aspects. However you choose to utilize technology is based on your knowledge of it. Those who have grown up having to do things the "physical" way are less likely to turn to technology to learn or teach. On the other hand, those who are growing up today are using technology almost everyday. It is everywhere!

To make my point, the world is constantly evolving. Just like the Industrial Revolution in the early days when this country was on it's way to becoming a superpower, technology is the new revolution of it's time. If the world becomes static, new innovations will cease to exist. In order to sustain our world, in a way we are comfortable with, we have to keep evolving. Technology is one aspect in which we have to keep moving forward with. However, the biggest mistake we can make is to incorporate technology without providing a purpose for it. Technology has a place in the classroom if we utilize it in a way that will be beneficial for us now and for years to come. Whether some of us like it or not, technology is happening and will continue until we let it fall apart. While I greatly value the idea of sustaining the "physical" work in classrooms, such as going to the library and finding information in books, writing in journals, creating hand-drawn works of art, and reading tangible books, there are ways to utilize technology in the classroom to supplement the "physical." Technology should not be a device to overpower the way we do things now, but should be used as a way to add to the existing to make it more powerful.

The world is becoming smaller because of technology and it is essential that our students are learning the power of the technological resources available to them. However, it is important that we teach them why they are using it; in addition to, how to use it. Providing the why is so much more powerful than just showing them. If technology has a purpose for students, it is hopeful they will utilize it in a way that is beneficial for them. Teachers must be careful not to lean on technology so much that students lose the ability to perform the physical part of learning. I am a proponent for hands-on engaging classrooms, but I also believe that there must be a good balance between hands-on, paper-and-pencil activities, and multiple assessment strategies. One of my classmates made a comment last class that has stuck in my mind. She said that utilizing technology in the classroom is not about having the latest and most expensive resources, like Smart Boards, Promethean Boards, etc., but it is about utilizing the technology you already have as a supplement to your lessons. It may take a little more elbow grease and lessons may have to be altered; however, teaching and learning should not become static either. As a teacher, I should be willing to adapt and evolve. After all, isn't that what we are trying to teach our children in order to sustain our world?




EQ 2: How can you ensure that your technology-enhanced classroom and learning activities succeed? Refer to up to two (2) of the reasons pointed out in the article, "11 Reasons Advanced Technology Classrooms Fail."

This question is a little more difficult to answer because, as a teacher, I am not directly responsible for the funding, purchasing, or installation of technology. However, in order to provide my students with the best learning environment possible, I will try my very best to let my voice be heard to the right people.

In order to ensure that my technology-enhanced classroom succeeds, I must be willing to adapt my teaching styles as needed. It might involve overhauling my teaching methods and lessons every year or two, but as I mentioned above, teaching should not be static. I should reflect on what works and what does not in order to be successful for the next group of students.

Secondly, I should be ready and willing to provide feedback on what is working with the current technology provided. Since this is one of the problems technology fails, this might be more difficult to accomplish. Teachers are not being surveyed about their current technology. If I had tenure, it may not be such a big deal to give feedback to the appropriate people about how the technology in my classroom is or is not working. It may take a couple times for any action to be done; however, I will feel like I am doing my students justice if I voice my opinions instead of just sitting back and not utilizing the technology.