Technology in the Classroom

My Classroom
As the times change and technology becomes more and more a part of the 21st century, it would be absurd for my classroom to not include technology, even if it is an art class. Technology has proven to be helpful in many ways. Some of the ways I would use technology in my classroom is to post future assignments and their due dates on a class website whether it be through a blog or some other application that would allow for such a use. I would also use technology to update both students and parents of things going on in the classroom, what will happen in the future, and what we have covered up to a certain point. Along with providing the students and parents with information regarding their child's education, I will also use technology to introduce myself so the students will know what to expect. These are all things that I will use technology for in regards to its use outside of the classroom.




While in the classroom, technology will be used in several different ways. One way is to help give instructions. This can be done by watching instructional videos that can be found on websites like YouTube. Another way is through delivering information. PowerPoint can be used to deliver information as well as art related websites. Technology, specifically the internet, is an excellent source to find examples. When you are dealing with art, sometimes looking at examples can be the best motivation. So if I teach the students about the principles of art and want to show specific examples, the technology will be right at my fingertips.





My Experiences
Throughout my academic career, the importance of technology has grown substantially each year. I have used technology not only to complete assignments but to also present information to my teachers and fellow classmates. When it comes to both teaching as well as learning, technology has provided more of a variety in the styles in which we pass along information.

From a learning point of view, the use of technology has made the way we are taught information less boring and in some cases, has brought about more participation than a simple lecture would. As I have witnessed all different types of teaching, I have found that I retain the information better and am able to pay attention better if the way the information is being taught to me is creative and has used some form of technology. When teachers just lecture the whole class period, I usually forget everything that is sad or never retain anything because I was so bored.



I have been given several opportunities in my life to teach my fellow classmates and most of the time I have relied on such applications like PowerPoint or YouTube. Through PowerPoint along, I have been able to reach almost all the different types of learning styles there are. I have used pictures/images, words, and video clips to reach the visual learner as well as the auditory learner. To reach the kinesthetic learner, I have used game templates such as Jeopardy where they get involved and the participation increases.


Technology has advanced so much that a teacher could almost let it teach their class without them having to say a word. This is not to say that this is how I would run my classroom but just to further show how the possibilities are endless when technology is involved.



EDU 305
In this education class, I hope to learn all the different ways in which I can apply technology to my future classroom as well as how to make it effective and interesting. I hope to better understand how to use the different ways in which I can post information for my students and their parents. I want my future classroom to be one that is up to date with the times and the technology being used and I hope to learn all about the different ways technology can be used in the classroom through this education class.

Blogging in Education

What is Web 2.0?
A web 2.0 is anything associated with web applications that make sharing information interactively possible. The general design of web 2.0 programs are user-centered. There are many different examples of web 2.0 applications. Some include YouTube,flickr, blogs, pod casts, wikis, and photo sharing programs. Teachers use these types of applications for things such as promoting their districts and efforts towards improvement as well as to share calendars with parents, fellow teachers, and students. Web 2.0 encourages new ways of learning and communicating for both teachers and students.



Why should teachers know about it?
Teachers should know about web 2.0 for various reasons. One reason is because students are already professionals when it comes to web 2.0 applications and therefore teachers should be too to keep up with them. Another reason is because digital literacy is a 21st century skill and is very much a part of the culture. When teachers use web 2.0 applications, they are enhancing the learning for their students. From using web 2.0, students and teachers can interact, enhance, morph, and create
information that can be shared with others.





What is a Blog?
A blog is a web 2.0 application designed for the purpose of individual self-expression. They are great for sharing and focusing on a particular subject. They are also great for professional development and cross-curricular lesson planning. They help to share both personal and professional news.



Why should every teacher have one?
Teachers should have blogs because they are great for showing information such as things happening in the classroom, assignments, and general information on a subject. They also are great for students to have so teachers can look at their work online and see the comments they have made on their own blogs and comments they have made on others'. Another reason teachers should have a blog is so they can share strategies and materials with fellow colleagues as well as viewing their strategies and materials.



What are the pedagogical implications of a student driven blog?Students use blogs to post their assignments for teachers to grade. They also use them to post information for other students to review and then critique. Sometimes their information is professional and sometimes it is personal. Students generally use blogging as a way of self expression.



What are the pedagogical implications of a teacher driven blog?Teachers use blogs to share information regarding things going on in the classroom, assignments, and information on a certain subject. They also use it as a means of communication with both their fellow colleagues and their students. Unlike their students, teachers main reasons for creating/having blogs are for educational purposes and not so much personal.