Through taking the course, Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society with Walden University, I have learned many new and innovative technology skills. Technology is becoming a visible part of childrens lives. From classroom settings to home use, computers are now a part of how children learn, play, and communicate with each other.
Living in the digital age, Computers can be used as devices for communicating with people literally a world apart. For example, Skype and Podcasts allow users to transform a telephone conversation into real-life conversation. Wikkis allow teachers and colleagues to communicate and work on the same projects while living miles apart. Other tools, such as blogging sites allow users to communicate in a diary type form. Blog's can be used to help understand a topic and allow visitors to offer solutions and suggestions. These technology advances can be used as tools to create instructional materials or as presentation devices to provide information in ways never before possible in our classrooms.
Furthermore, through technology, classrooms are able to reach students of all learning styles, as well as be more efficient. Technology induces students with interest and motivation. Students are much more receptive to using technology than a simple pencil and paper activity, thus this makes its usage in schools important. All teachers understand how important a students’ individual learning style may be. Educators better prepare students for the future when using technology aimed at addressing each learning style. This recognition has helped me to become for learner centered as opposed to being teacher centered. As a motivational tool, technology positively impacts student attitudes toward learning, self-confidence, and self-esteem because students are interested. Educators must continue to learn various technologies to keep up with the digital babies that we teach.
Two Long Term Goals that I plan on investing to transform my classroom environment:
1- Use Wikkis, weekly blog, and podcasts in my classroom. Although I have learned how to create these technologies, I now must plan on using them effectively in my classroom to teach students how to do these. I already have the resources to use; I will need to find the time to implement them.
2- I want to become a Technology Teacher for students and work with grade levels to help the teachers with projects aligned to the standards. This goal will be much harder. Technology positions are very hard to find in my area. In the meantime, I will continue to work with my team teachers, offering suggestions and comments from what I have learned about how to use technology in our schools.
At the beginning of this course, I responded through a checklist that I was not very technology savvy. I am proud to say that I feel more comfortable using technology in my classroom. I have always used power points and word documents with students, but these are minor compared to the skills I have learned in this course. I feel confident that I will be able to better Provide students with multiple and varied opportunities for using technology tools and resources to support the learning.
