The first thing I would like to reflect on is the use of the website EDUCAUSE as a technology trend tracker. First I noticed that the book describes EDUCAUSE as a website just for teachers to find usable technology for the classroom. EDUCAUSE is mostly a website designed to "advance higher education through the use of information technology. This means the website is designed for those interested in IT, and it just happens to have a sections for teachers. That being said, the teaching section of EDUCAUSE is invaluable. IT covers everything from technology ideas to scholarships for you and for students, to even helping you find a job. No matter what you are looking for EDUCAUSE has found a way to make that bot educational and technological. I would highly recommend the website.
The second thing I would like to reflect on is the idea that adding technology to schools does not automatically increase improve learning for students. This is an important topic to me as my high school was constantly adding new technology, but nearly all of it was useless. This was because none of the teachers had been taught how to use the technology. If teachers are going to be expected to use the technology they are given then there will need to be some form of professional development for that technology. Technology advances at an incredible rate and if difficult for any one to stay on top of. Now, I also have to say that teachers should at least attempt to learn how to use some of the technology on there own, perhaps over the summer months.
The last subject I would like to reflect on is using the technology you have. Many schools can not afford for every teacher to have the latest and greatest form of technology at all times. In fact many schools only update their technology every few years. One mark of a great 21st century teacher (in my opinion) is the ability to integrate technology, when you have very little of it. I found an article from Edutopia, that outlines a few different ways teachers can use limited technology and even ways you can get a little extra technology funds going. My favorite was the use of kid blogging websites. The websites require the teachers approval before anything is posted and all work can be saved so the students can work on them anywhere from once a week to every day. With only the internet, there are thousands of different ways a teacher can easily incorporate technology into the classroom. To view the article click here.
Resources:
The second thing I would like to reflect on is the idea that adding technology to schools does not automatically increase improve learning for students. This is an important topic to me as my high school was constantly adding new technology, but nearly all of it was useless. This was because none of the teachers had been taught how to use the technology. If teachers are going to be expected to use the technology they are given then there will need to be some form of professional development for that technology. Technology advances at an incredible rate and if difficult for any one to stay on top of. Now, I also have to say that teachers should at least attempt to learn how to use some of the technology on there own, perhaps over the summer months.
The last subject I would like to reflect on is using the technology you have. Many schools can not afford for every teacher to have the latest and greatest form of technology at all times. In fact many schools only update their technology every few years. One mark of a great 21st century teacher (in my opinion) is the ability to integrate technology, when you have very little of it. I found an article from Edutopia, that outlines a few different ways teachers can use limited technology and even ways you can get a little extra technology funds going. My favorite was the use of kid blogging websites. The websites require the teachers approval before anything is posted and all work can be saved so the students can work on them anywhere from once a week to every day. With only the internet, there are thousands of different ways a teacher can easily incorporate technology into the classroom. To view the article click here.
Resources:
EDUCAUSE Homepage | EDUCAUSE.edu. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2016, from http://www.educause.edu/
Hertz, M. (2010, August 11). Integrating Technology with Limited Resources. Retrieved April 24, 2016, from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/free-tech-integration-resources
Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
WordClouds. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2016, from http://www.wordclouds.com/
