Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society Reflection

As I reflect on what I have learned about technology and its many uses in the classroom, I understand that this is the future of education. I am embracing the knowledge of blogs, podcasts and wikis. I am slowly integrating these technologies in my classroom. By surveying my students and the experience of raising a teenager myself, I know that technology is what moves teenagers today. I need to use this knowledge to reach more students.

While I still consider myself new to the teaching profession (5 years), I have gone from the teacher-centered class to more learner-centered. I had my classroom arranged with rows of desks which gave no opportunities for group collaboration to small groups (had groups of 3 last year, this year groups of 4) that give rise to student led discussions. My students help each other with concepts. This also helps me when students have questions. I can address a small group at one time rather than individually which can be more time consuming. I still have problems getting students to come to the white board. I get excited when a video clip that I downloaded into a flipchart opens and plays. I feel my students do enjoy the change from direct instruction. We can use the computer cart to do internet connection activities that also create that learner-centered environment.

As I increase the use of blogs, podcasts, and wikis, I feel I will give students more opportunities to acquire information. Not only can it be a way for students who are absent from class to obtain the information they missed, but it can be a way to increase the critical thinking skills our students need to increase achievement. I am hoping to have students comment to my blog postings and to their classmates. I would like to see projects uploaded to a wiki that grow from simple text-based to either video presentations or voice podcasts.

Over the course of the next year or two, I would like to be able to use the computers almost every day having a classroom site that the students can find their assignments. I would like to have the students create their own class study guide which could then be used to prepare for the final and future classes. These guides would include video clips, discussion posts, and podcasts. An obstacle I can envision is keeping the students interested in using the computers for the math projects. Another obstacle is the volume of computers available at one time. As more teachers begin to use computers in their lessons or for research-based projects, availability may become an issue.

I have learned so much and am excited to create an iMovie of the senior Homecoming court with background music. I was anxious to show my students the survey project that they contributed not only the survey itself, but I had students on the podcast. I would not have imagined myself being able to use any of these techie things before now.