Teaching+with+Technology+week+4

The readings and discussion this week has increased my knowledge of the different technologies available for schools. In the text //Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works//, the websites shown for Math and Science classes were great. I had been searching for websites which could be used for Math and Science for my internship project. I needed to find some technology which could be used in those 2 core subjects which were either free of low in cost and starting in Chapter 2 'Providing Feedback' provided excellent information in how to use different sources of technology for feedback for both students and teachers. The different technology sources are good for collaboration, feedback and teaching. The section on pgs 44-49 on how to incorporate Data Collection Tools with the example of it being used in a Science class provided me with an excellent example to show to the Science teacher at my school who has been searching for a different way to incorporate 21st century technology in her classroom that the students can relate to and take interest in. The grading software resources will be good for English teachers who usually have a large number of research papers to read and grade.

Our text //Web 2.0 new tools, new schools,// was a good read//.//What specifically drew my attention to our readings this week was the quote from that text "We have not realized the promise of technology in education. Essentially, providing the hardware without adequate training in its use - and in its endless possibilities for enriching the learning experience - meant that the great promise of Internet technology was frequently unrealized. Computers, instead of transforming education, were often shunted to a "computer room," where they were little used and poorly maintained." (Solomon) This is a small portion of the information provided in chapter 5 of the text. The quote mentioned above is on page 100 where the authors are referring to technology and the Federal laws outlining the use of technology in our schools. What really drew me to the quote is just how it was a true reflection of many of the schools today., especially with the budget cuts. While the Federal Government stands firm on the use of 21st century technology in our public school systems, they cut the budgets available to schools in funding this technology. This now becomes a struggle for schools; however, those schools who already had the technology available to them are not utilizing the technology to its maximum capabilities. This comes from a lack of interest on the part of teachers and poor leadership and follow-through in administration and/or the technology departments within the school. Many teachers who have been teaching for many years are stuck in the 'old' way of teaching because it provides a comfort zone. As is true in any occupation, a change requires people stepping out of their comfort zone and branching out into an area they are unfamiliar with. This means training and unless administration makes the first step by becoming trained in this technology and then making it mandatory for teachers to get trained and then show specific examples of how this technology is being used in their classrooms; many teachers will never leave their comfort zone. This is particular true in the district in which I work; teachers are leary of stepping out of their comfort zone and then you throw the lack of technology and money administration is willing to put forth makes it easy for teachers to stay in their comfort zone. However, it's the students who suffer.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., Malenoski, K.; Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works; (2007) McRel, Denver.

Solomon, G., Schrum, L., Web 2.0 new tools, new schools; (2007) ISTE, Washington