Technology?

  

     Let me just start by saying that I am a 43 year old graduate student who grew up with limited access to computers. My knowledge of computers and technology has grown over the last few years but certain simple tasks may still confuse me. For instance, this is only my third blog and I certainly don't feel as if I quite understand how it all works. Uploading pictures and even arranging the images have been a challenge. So how will I tackle my own fears of technology so I can use various technological techniques to enrich the education of my students? 

     Luckily, I also work as a teacher assistant in a classroom. I have seen first-hand how useful a Smart Board can be when demonstrating a lesson. It is commonly used for math lessons in the classroom I work in. The lessons presented are right from the text book makers. Sometimes the lessons need to be modified and repeated but this is easy to do since the Smart Board can also be written on or erased. Incorporating technology into the lesson via the Smart Board creates a more engaging lesson. Students often take turns solving problems with the teacher while the other students watch. Students are practicing turn taking while paying attention to the lesson that is being presented.

     On campus, Smart Board trainings have been offered. Due to the scheduling conflicts of being a busy mom with a full-time job, I have not been able to attend a Smart Board training yet. Fortunately, one person in my teacher candidate group has extensive knowledge of the Smart Board. Also, seeing the importance technology plays in the classroom I work in everyday motivates me to become more knowledgeable of the tools I can access to encourage learning in my future classroom. Each time I learn a new skill on the computer, my teenage daughter gets excited since I'll be bothering her less!