The world of technology is changing every day. It is hard to imagine life without the Internet, digital cameras, and social networking. Our classrooms however, are not on the cutting edge. If our classrooms have computers in them for student use, they are probably dinosaurs meaning windows 98 or before.
I am lucky to be in a school that is incorporating new technology tools each year. All of our classrooms are equipped with SmartBoards, Smart document cameras, and Smart Airline tablets. Our third grade is implementing IPods in our curriculum. Each class has 6 IPods for the students to listen and create podcastings. Our K-2 grades were provided Smart Tables, interactive tables for 4.
Smart Boards and the document cameras provide information at our finger tips. These tools allow me and the students to retrieve information from around the world with only a keystroke. Last week, we observed a baby panda bear at the San Diego Zoo through the video cam http://www:sandiegozoo.org/videos/. Many of my students have visited a zoo. I placed this website on our class web site along with other links. The excitement was carried over to their new animal research project. A template for their project was also placed on the class website for easy use. The afternoon was filled with excitement as they researched using videos, and other link web pages.
The problem is having time to learn and teach the technology to staff and the students. We are so overwhelmed with "test preparations" that we cannot incorporate time needed to become proficient in the technology. I know that if we can learn to use these tools we will all excel.
What do technology do you use? Let's share web sites and other ideas to enhance our classroom learning experience.
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14 years ago
2 comments:
Danae was in a class this summer where they were introduced to the SmartBoards, document cameras, etc... she was really excited about it, but of course her school isn't as lucky as yours... she's really jealous... at least that's what she said anyway... :) Cherri
Your classrooms sound like they are ready to go. I agree that finding the time to learn about and integrate the technology is difficult. Last summer half of our campus received technology classrooms but I am still waiting. I think mine happen over the summer of 2011. But knowing that these changes are coming and listening to the teachers at my sight I know that I have a lot to learn and prepare for. As you are, I am looking for advice and ideas. I plan on visiting your site to read postings that come your way.
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