New Technology Standards

I think that the new technology standards are a great idea. Students need to be able to utilize technology to function in society as adults. Without these standards, some teachers might not teach their students how to utilize technology and how to safely use the internet in a responsible and legal way. These standards are going to force us to be aware of technology, which will only benefit the students.

This class has really opened my eyes to a wide variety of technological tools that I can utilize in the classroom. Since this class has started, I’ve been utilizing google docs on a regular basis to write papers and I plan on incorporating technology into my work sample. I’m going to have my 3/4th graders create a video about endangered animals. My supervising teacher said that many of the students do not have computers at home and are not exposed to technology. I’m excited to be able to introduce them to technology that that might not be aware of. The students use the computer lab to take tests, but that is about it. I would like them to be able to use the computer lab in a fun and exciting way. In the future, I would love to have a class website or blog. I think this is a great way to bridge the gap between school and home.

In my classroom, I plan on encouraging creativity and innovation. There are so many free resources on the internet that students can utilize to create amazing original works and express themselves through videos, blogs, etc. I think that communication and collaboration is extremely important in all classrooms. Technology can help facilitate that process. Students are already using face book and other social networking sites on a regular basis. It would be nice to use their knowledge and digital media to communicate and work collaboratively, across the global community, to support learning. I think it is essential for students to learn critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making skills. These are all skills that can carry over into other aspects of life. Students can use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, analyze data, and so much more.