Are We There Yet

The road has been long and the journey is almost done, but I want to take a moment to appreciate the bumps I have encountered along the way. Incorporating technology into our lives and in the classroom is a process. Just like teaching and learning, it must be developed and nurtured with thought and care.
The process does produce great results when the given the appropriate amount of time and energy. The potentials for growth and opportunity are great and every child should be exposed to curriculum that is enhanced with technology. As a teacher I will try my best to incorporate technology in my class.

Following Though

 Ideas are great in their inception, but they need to be implemented with considerable thought. Projects in their infancy may have the momentum of enthusiasm because of the novelty of the concept. As we adopt new ideas and concepts we must remember to constantly review our motives. To ensure that we are staying on the path of our own objectives we must constantly evaluate ourselves. This is what I mean by following through. It is a reflective process that we must go through to promote performance to our highest achievement.
Self reflective skills also need to be developed. This  process is evident in the essay assignments typically given in a college class. Read what you write and make changes when necessary.
Constantly review your techniques. We are shown these skills in school and we need to apply them to our own teaching strategies.

Words and Meanings

We all know the dangers of writing an errant email and pressing the send button. I am here to remind yo of the care and concern that must be taken when composing messages to the highly educated. Careful assessments must be made of each and every word you use when trying to convey a strong emotion. Changing dialogue to incorporate phrases such as "I'm on you side" have a softer effect than "I defend you". I have learned the impact of phrasing questions a certain way to put people at ease during communication. I have also learned the importance of the draft button when composing a letter to a school official. Be warned those in education read very well and well into your choice of words!

Getting Organized

My organizational skills are beginning to spiral out of control!  It is very easy to save my documents in all forms but the work is not finished there.  It can not be stressed enough about saving documents, but proper filing is an often overlooked method that is equally as important.  Creating a routine about proper filing is a skill that should be practiced. Just like cleaning the house and doing the dishes, a certain amount of time must be spent on this task.  
More posts to come as I begin to try to practice what I preach. 

Finally Up and Running

I think I have all the parts put together, now I have to make it work.  While transitioning my my life and my relationship with technology , I have learned to be patient and understanding of the limits and possibilities of working with technology.  I am finally running my Mac OS and I have finished loading my working programs.  I think I am there, just in the nick of time.   Paper due and readings to be done! The amount of work can be daunting but with my new powers of computing, I am ready to complete the task.

Active Learning

 When using technology in the classroom, students can be engaged by problem based learning.  The very nature of the medium  lends itself to the very nature of problem based learning.  This is well supported in a n virual setting where ideas can be freely exchanged and explored.  I think the original designers of the computer and the internet had it in mind that it would be used as an educational tool. 

Problem based learning is a unique way for students to engage in an active classroom where all ideas are shared and discussed.  The computer can be a tool to help the students share and express their ideas.  When used this way students can work with many other students around the world as part of  a global classroom of internet connected students.

I look foward to working ina n active classroom when I become a teacher and I plan to make use of technology to do so.

Frustration Factor

  I have recently heard the motto "proper planning prevents poor procedure."  I am trying to incorporate this philosophy into my own life.  That being said there is a certain amount of things that can not be prevented no matter how much planning is done.  When these situations occur, a positive attitude must be maintained.
  I have been having these out of control situations occur in my life and I am taking it all in as experience.  Once we have encountered the bumps in the road we are more equipped to handle the larger problems that lay ahead.  
  When we deal with incorporating technology we have to account for the time it takes to become efficient. It can be a longer process than anticipated, but with patience and understanding, I think we can help to remove the frustration factor.  A a teacher we should have these qualities.