The most helpful aspect of the ITEC 7430 class was the focus on communication and collaboration via digital tools. I have discovered that technology assists students in constructing their own knowledge and sharing it with a broader audience. Students are excited to share their knowledge and experiences with others; therefore, teachers can harness this desire to increase student engagement and achievement in the classroom. Using digital tools like blogs and Wikispaces give the students the opportunity to create a space of their own where they can share their work. Audio and video casting tools enable the students to record their desired content along with their own words. The fact that a larger audience is viewing the student's work makes the assignment more meaningful to the student. Furthermore, the students can view and comment on their peer's pages, which opens the door to dialogue for all students to participate, even the reticent ones who can get overshadowed in class.
Due to what I have learned from this class, I am more prepared to meet the varying needs of my students. I have a large toolbox of assistive software and programs to help my ESOL students and my students with learning disabilities or physical disabilities. There is a multitude of technology to meet the needs of our students; however, all students' needs must be met, especially those students who do not have access to technology at home. Even though the use of technology is important, as teachers, we must be mindful of the digital divide. We have to be conscious of the fact that many students do not have technology at home. We must find ways to help these students by having devices to use at school. We can have classroom sets of devices or have lending programs through the media centers. We can not get so excited about incorporating technology that we forget about students in need. As a member of our school's technology team, I am excited to share my new knowledge and tool box with my colleagues so that all students school-wide can benefit.
Lastly, as teachers, we should not just use technology in the classroom as a motivator or an aide. By using technology, we are giving the students life skills necessary for the workplace. We are teaching students about the evolving literacy of the modern world. As Richardson (2010) states, when they enter the workforce, it is highly likely that students will be asked to collaborate to create content that will be viewed by a broad audience; therefore, in order to be successful the students will need to obtain and practice these skills in school. Technology is able to bridge the gap so that all students can have a world-class education. Content is open to the teachers as they now have more available resources beyond the textbook. Knowledge is open to the students as they no longer have to look to their teachers for information. As Richardson (2010) states "the walls of the classroom are literally made irrelevant by the creation of communities of learners that span oceans, races, genders, and generations" (148). I for one am knocking down my classroom walls and revamping my classroom with digital tools!
Resources:
Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms. (3rd ed.). Thousand Oak, California: Corwin
Due to what I have learned from this class, I am more prepared to meet the varying needs of my students. I have a large toolbox of assistive software and programs to help my ESOL students and my students with learning disabilities or physical disabilities. There is a multitude of technology to meet the needs of our students; however, all students' needs must be met, especially those students who do not have access to technology at home. Even though the use of technology is important, as teachers, we must be mindful of the digital divide. We have to be conscious of the fact that many students do not have technology at home. We must find ways to help these students by having devices to use at school. We can have classroom sets of devices or have lending programs through the media centers. We can not get so excited about incorporating technology that we forget about students in need. As a member of our school's technology team, I am excited to share my new knowledge and tool box with my colleagues so that all students school-wide can benefit.
Lastly, as teachers, we should not just use technology in the classroom as a motivator or an aide. By using technology, we are giving the students life skills necessary for the workplace. We are teaching students about the evolving literacy of the modern world. As Richardson (2010) states, when they enter the workforce, it is highly likely that students will be asked to collaborate to create content that will be viewed by a broad audience; therefore, in order to be successful the students will need to obtain and practice these skills in school. Technology is able to bridge the gap so that all students can have a world-class education. Content is open to the teachers as they now have more available resources beyond the textbook. Knowledge is open to the students as they no longer have to look to their teachers for information. As Richardson (2010) states "the walls of the classroom are literally made irrelevant by the creation of communities of learners that span oceans, races, genders, and generations" (148). I for one am knocking down my classroom walls and revamping my classroom with digital tools!
Resources:
Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms. (3rd ed.). Thousand Oak, California: Corwin