Blog Post One

Your Tech Past: Briefly describe your previous experiences with computers in the classroom during your own K-12 education.
        I remember going to the computer lab when I was in elementary school. We had the big Dells and we would practice typing while having a box over our hands so we couldn't peak at the keyboard, and instead had to watch the screen as we typed. We had one computer lab for the school, so meanwhile in the classroom we used these little devises that looked like a bulky keyboard. They had a small screen on them and we could practice typing, only a sentence or two of text could appear on the screen at once. The device was then plugged into a computer so that we could see our work. As I continued in school I became familiar with computers, using the basic programs of Power Point, Excel, Word and Email. Then Internet became fast, no longer blocking phone connection and requiring dial up. The Internet really changed things, it allowed me to expand from Word Art to looking on Google Images; research became accessible through search engines, and communication started becoming easier and more popular. In high school I felt at level with my peers and their technology levels, I felt comfortable using the computer and the programs, occasionally exploring around the options provided. Although I feel adequate with those programs, I am not familiar with creating websites or blogs, I have stayed away from online formatting. The most interaction I have with "personalizing" a web page would be Facebook, and Facebook provides all the links for changes and the user does not need to enter codes or work on formatting.



Tech for Teachers: If you were to begin teaching tomorrow, which technology tools would you use to communicate with others? Explain why you chose these specific tools.
     If I was to begin teaching tomorrow I would be comfortable using a variety of technology tools and programs. Ideally, the classroom would have a SmartBoard. This interactive touchscreen board can create a hand on learning experience for students during a lesson. Also, with SmartBoards students can use IClickers. I would be comfortable with them using the clickers, and it would allow me to asses how much the students understand, which students are struggling, and which sections I need to focus on with the classroom. Depending on what I am teaching, a language lab could be available. In my high school we would go into a lab with small stalls and put on a headset, then we could record ourselves speaking in a foreign language. Meanwhile, the instructor could tap into any students recording session, listening to them and correcting them. I would be comfortable with this system, it allows the teacher to asses the student's progress and provide one-on-one help to the students during a limited time period. As for class lessons, I would integrate PowerPoint, Excel, and Word. These programs can allow students to see information in a variety of ways, and the information can be posted online and easily be accessed by students at home. I know basic skills when it comes to Mac's iMovie, but I could make a basic movie for the classroom- but it would be very rough. I could use iMovie to document trips we had gone on, or combine short video clips for the class because YouTube is often blocked in schools. I would like to learn how to use iCal (electronic calendar) so that I could easily plan my schedule with parents and lesson plans.

EDST 220 Driving Questions

Why should teachers use technology to communicate with students, parents and peers? 
Which technology tools have the greatest potential to improve communication between teachers and others? 
How do these tools improve communications?