In the classroom

I am currently placed in a third grade classroom and once a week I go in to help, teach, and gain experience. I was looking around at the technology they have been given and was pleased to note that they have about eight computers in the back of the class. These computers are utilized during their literacy center time and they have the opportunity to learn literacy through games and quizzes. Overall this is entirely their favorite center and they usually run with joy to the back of the classroom when it is their turn. I also noticed that they usually struggle with working together but when they share computers this is not the case. Like many third graders they seem to struggle with the teamwork attitude but since I have been working in this classroom I have never seen a fight or even a flair of a temper. The students are required to work two to a computer and they tend to do quite well with this.

Earlier on in the week I also watched The Buried Life on MTV and the show is about four guys who want to accomplish 100 things on a list before they die. This episode was especially striking because after they completed their task they wanted to do something for someone else. They found a teacher in a small town who wanted something simple. He wanted a computer for the classroom. Now with all of these technological advances it seems that these days everyone has a computer but this reminded me that computers aren't a commodity. In school districts that are suffering it makes sense that computers would be left out of the classroom but in reality this will only hinder students from a world that is completely engrossed in technology. I know that for many of the students I work with, the school day is the only time they have access to a computer. This is crucial. Students need to learn how to read, write, do math, and in 2010 it seems as if they also need to be able to type. Just food for thought. It made me appreciate things a lot more and it was great to see this classroom get their very first computer!

Oh Technology...

So as I begin my technological journey everything thing in the world wide web seems to be against me. I am an avid facebook user and stalker but other than that my background includes surfing the web and checking my mail. Of course, when I aim to become more technology savvy the internet is playing games with my computer and is in major disarray. I have finally secured internet for the time being so I am rapidly typing this post. This isn't the first time I have developed a love hate relationship with my computer and whatever seems to be the source of my tech problem, but I am hoping this class will help me become more patient with all of this craziness.

Mostly, I am incredibly interested to find out what ways technology can be used in the classroom. At this point in time, technology seems to be making everyone's lives easier and maybe it can do the same for students. In all of our teaching classes the one concept that seems to be reiterated over an over is the idea that all students learn differently. I hope by the end of this class I will look at this broad field as a teaching and learning tool. Currently I am already learning a great deal and will continue to do so as technology changes and evolves. So far I am thinking that this will be an overall great teaching aid.

So for now I will encase myself with a professional twitter, a blog, and whatever this class will bring. My optimism will hopefully create a better relationship with my computer and everything it entails. I am excited to see what great concepts this class will bring to my teaching and learning and hopefully my internet will hang in there!