Final Blog

Well this is it the final blog of the semester. i have learned a lot considering I thought the class was going to be about how to use a ELMO machine, or an overhead projector. When I was in school, even college, that was educational technology. So now I know that microsoft word is more than a word processing program, and that as future teachers we need to really push to get technology into the classroom. The students will be expecting it and it can be very useful. Most of the assignments were helpful but I do wish we could have spent more than a half hour on website design. The website design is something that I really see me using in the future. It is too bad that some of the other assignments that were maybe just to get a grade overshadowed the website design stuff. So now as I study for the final I look back and think that I already showed I understand the technology with the various assignments but now we need to be tested on the theories, and the application of technology in the classroom. Good luck to all, I will see you in the hall.

Web-Quest at Harris Hill

I had the chance to see some great integration of technology at Harris Hill the other day.  Student’s went to the computer lab and had to take on the identity of a Japanese students, as they are studying Japan.  Then using a web quest set up by the computer lab teacher they had to choose their favorite Japanese food, favorite after school activity, favorite school subject, etc.  They did this by searching previously selected websites about each topic.  They were told to take notes on each topic then as a follow up activity they made books about themselves as a Japanesestudent.  It was so neat to see these children navigating the Internet and reading and writing.  Unfortunately some of the websites they tried to visit had expired but enough were there to finish the project.  When the students were done with their assignment they started racing each other on typing exercises.  They were amazing.  Typing away without looking at the keyboard, and doing very well.  What else was nice about this is that the students stayed on task and needed very little if any teacher intervention.  I have learned a lot this semester about technology in education but this was my first chance to see it in action.  Neat!!