Reflections from Week 2

This week was very educational for me. I learned to use Inspiration 9 software to create a digital concept map about Educational Technology. It was very easy to use and I was able to very easily insert pictures that I took with my own camera to help illustrate my points-and yes, I did have permission from the parents to use their childs photo.

I read many articles trying to decide which would be the best for a journal article presentation about educational technology and decided to use an article about e-reading. I wanted an e-reader for Christmas so I researched many different types before I chose the model that I ordered. I also bought my daughter one for Christmas-she is in sixth grade. I was not sure if her teachers would allow her to carry it around and read from it during free time but it has not been an issue. It was interesting to read research behind effectively using them in the classroom. Many schools now use laptops instead of textbooks for the older kids but I can see where an e-reading device instead of a textbook for things like literature would be a big advantage because you are able to highlight and add notes right on the page so it becomes more interactive than a textbook that you cannot mark on.

Through all of this research I was able to come up with my own definition of what Educational Technology is. I would define Educational Technology as the following: The effective integration of technology that enhances and teaching and learning by supporting but not replacing the teacher at all grade levels and in all subject areas. I use technology in my classroom each and every day but there are still some teachers that have not warmed up to the use of technology.

It was also interesting reading about Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants. My students are definitely Digital Natives. It is hard to find a child now that does not have a computer or some sort of gaming device in their house. I started thinking about my own house. We have a computer, a laptop, two cell phones, two e-readers, two nintendo ds's, a Flip camcorder, a wii, a v-smile, a v-touch gaming system, a leapster, and two digital cameras. I may be a Digital Immigrant but I think I have adapted fairly well!

My Teaching Philosphy

As I transition from being a teacher of a classroom of six and seven year olds to a librarian and media technology specialist for an entire campus or district I know my views and philosophies will be constantly changing. I chose to become a teacher because I have always loved children and love to see them grow and mature and learn. As technology is becoming a more important part of each child's life it is a natural transition to want to correctly guide them in the use of technology.

As a subscriber to the philosophical school of Realism I feel that it is the learner's role to become responsible users of technology and it is the teacher's role to monitor and strengthen the student's use of technology. As a teacher I have to be confident in my use of technology in the classroom and show the learners that technology is not something to be afraid of. Sometimes the learners are my students and sometimes they are my co-workers. The learners must become competent users of technology and be accountable for what they are producing using the technology that is available to them.

I currently use technology with my classroom of first graders. I am becoming an Informator for my campus. I feel that if a teacher is afraid of technology then the student's are being deprived of the opportunity of becoming familiar with it. The world is dependent on technology so it is my job as an educator to encourage the use of it.

Creating a Culture for Teaching and Learning

I can relate to all six areas that Alan November writes about in his article Creating a Culture for Teaching and Learning but the one that really stood out the most was 4. DON'T DO TECHNOLOGY PLANS! This one stood out for me because I am on the technology committee for our district and we are currently working on our technology plan. We met last week and were given some groundwork information and we will be meeting again in a week or two to do some more in depth work on it. The head of the technology department for our district is very much an Automator rather than an Informator. The technology plan that we are working on is all about adding technology to make our classrooms run faster and have more up to date equipment. This new technology is just being added on top of what we are already using. We recently received Mimio devices to use in some classrooms. My campus is a Pre-Kindergarten through First Grade campus so it is just like a new toy for the teachers that did receive them. Of course some teachers are afraid of them and are completely resistant to technology. I see the trend changing though as new teachers are entering the teaching field that are more familiar with technology because technology is becoming the way of life. Mr. November mentions that the Middle School kid know more about technology than the High School kids. I believe that. My five year son has no problems using a computer. I can only imagine what technology will be like when he reaches High School.

Potential Uses for Blogging

I had never considered myself a "blogger" until I started reading this weeks information for ETEC 524. I quickly realized that I was one to some extent. I love spending time on Facebook and reading to see what all of my friends are doing all over the world and writing to keep them informed of what is going on in my life. Blogging has connected me with long lost relatives that ended up living 20 miles from me as well as past friends that live in England and in the Netherlands. Blogging can come in handy when you need help with coursework or just need someone elses opinion on things. It can general information or very specific. I think it is great that some schools use blogging for educational purposes. Some schools are definitely following the trend that Stephen Downes talks about in his article written in 2004. Sadly, I work in a school system who does not realize the benefits of blogging. Our district has all "blogging" sites blocked so that our teachers and students do not have access to them. Hopefully this will change one day and our district will be able to move forward into the technological world.