Technology Integration
Being a middle aged woman, I remember the current technology trends, when they were in their infancy. Yes, that means I did not have e-mail until I was in my twenties, carried a gigantic bag phone, and played the Oregon trail. When I messed with the wrong commands in class in high school, I brought down the entire schools network, and my teacher, told me that I would go far. Since he happened to be one of the original NASA scientists to work on the original computer (room sized), I felt honored.
Because I had such great experiences with technology, I have always tried to pass on the flame and integrate the newest technologies in my classes.
The first year I taught full time was the 1999-2000 school year. I entered my students in a web page building contest, and we begun our techy journey. The kids loved it. We created what would be considered very low tech websites, were one of the first to do our Yearbooks online, and by the end of the year people in the community were contacting us and the kids even made the graphics for traditional billboards.
What I learned that year, and what the students learned, went beyond the English curriculum. It started many of them on a path that lead to tech careers and other job opportunities. It also engaged them, making the mundane curriculum come alive.
Technology is not something that is going to go away. It is ever changing, sometimes difficult, but also an excellent way to engage students, and give them a heads up in the job force.
There are several pointers that I have learned along the way that will help any teacher integrate technology.
1) Be familiar before you start, and take time to test your equipment.
2) If you encounter problems, ask for help.
3) As soon as you learn it, it will change - so embrace the change.
\4) There is stuff out there that will amaze you, so enjoy and be prepared to learn!
Photo Credits
Success kid: http://mrwgifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Success-Kid-Meme-Gif.gif
Reeves: http://ct.fra.bz/i60/5/12/8/f_8321a8380c.jpg
Brace yourself: http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/182/856/IcK0T.jpg?1317939560
What if I told you: http://i1.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/009/889/Morpheus2.jpg
