The Role of Technology in a Classroom

Technology is all around us, without it the world would be a much different place. Every thing in our lives is in some way connected to or touched by technology. If I ask the questions; How was it made, how did I get it, what is it made from, and how is it used? I can’t think of anything that is not somehow connected to technology. The thing about technology is that it is constantly changing, advancing, and becoming more and more a part of our lives. So the question is, how do we prepare for a technologically advanced future?

As a teacher it is my desire to incorporate technology as a teaching resource so that students can become familiar with the tools, learn skills they will need for their role they will play in the future, promote responsibility, and most importantly to inspire student learning and creativity. I feel it is important to model and promote digital learning by using digital tools to assist with teaching and assessing lessons that I teach. I plan on doing this by integrating spreadsheets that help students and myself to keep track of their progress and grades, using computers to help bring in videos, Web-Quests, PowerPoint presentations and, podcast's to bring lessons alive, and using a class blog to keep parents and students up to date on what is going on in the classroom. I envision creating online games, survey’s, and using online quizzes as a resource to help assess students learning in a fun and inventive way.

For students to learn the skills they need for a digital era, they need the opportunity to use the technology. I will be integrating the use of computers; digital cameras, smart boards, iPads, cell phones and any thing else that might be created technologically that can enhance students learning and creativity in the classroom. My desire is to have students manipulate the digital tools to conduct and analyze research, collaborate with others to present presentations, correspond with other students in the community, and promote student’s creativity by having students come up with solutions to real issues.

By giving students opportunities to manipulate and use technology I am promoting personal growth through learning. My vision is for my students to walk away from my class with a good foundation of knowledge and skills on technology that they can build on and use for a lifetime. I feel using technology as a teaching tool enriches students lives and helps prepare them for the future to become a flourishing member of a technological society. Here are a few videos that I feel shows the realism of how technology effects and enriches the lives of students and as a teacher how I would teach students for a digital era.