Prior to being hired as a teacher, one question I was consistently asked was, “How will you integrate technology in the classroom?” I’m not sure what I answered but I know it was a slight variation every time. My view on technology was that it was great to use but only if it was used to enhance the learning and didn’t become the focus of whatever the activity was. Essentially what I was thinking was that technology is a great tool but completely unnecessary if you were a good teacher. Needless to say, my thoughts and feelings on the subject have changed. I still believe that the use of technology shouldn’t be the focus without learning anything else. But, as I learned through experience and while sitting in this class, technology isn’t supposed to be the focal point. It isn’t supposed to be the main course. Technology is the catalyst for expression, creativity and growth. Can this happen without the use of technology? Yes of course. However, at the same time we have these resources available to us and if we are trying to prepare our students, to allow them to grow, it is simply ignorant to not use it. It was the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge map that I think visually represents how technology needs to be implemented in the classroom. You need to have the content knowledge, the pedagogical skills combined with the knowledge and the skill to accentuate these other areas where we see the true potential of technology intenerated in all levels of our schools. Technology for me has always been this cool thing that I could never really afford until recently. I think it has been only recently that I’ve begun to appreciate it more for its potential rather than simply something to own. When it comes to the classroom, at all ages and all grades, we need to embrace its use in all forms and use it to our advantage. For me personally, teaching in Middle School, the potential for student engagement and ownership of work for students is amazing. I’ve jumped on the bandwagon of teachers that think we shouldn’t ignore that students already have access to technology that I can barely use myself but to harness it to promote a true learning environment. As I watched these TED talks, I began to question where the focus of our education has been. To see that we have created and groomed our students to think and behave in a specific way instead of fostering creativity and expression. With the right application of technology I think we can give our students those avenues of expression, learning and thought. I still don’t think I am in anyway an expert in the use of technology. I do believe that I now realize that I still need to develop and grow myself and be the student again. I’m excited about the possibilities. I’m excited to try new ideas with my students.
I still believe that the use of technology shouldn’t be the focus without learning anything else. But, as I learned through experience and while sitting in this class, technology isn’t supposed to be the focal point. It isn’t supposed to be the main course. Technology is the catalyst for expression, creativity and growth. Can this happen without the use of technology? Yes of course. However, at the same time we have these resources available to us and if we are trying to prepare our students, to allow them to grow, it is simply ignorant to not use it. It was the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge map that I think visually represents how technology needs to be implemented in the classroom. You need to have the content knowledge, the pedagogical skills combined with the knowledge and the skill to accentuate these other areas where we see the true potential of technology intenerated in all levels of our schools.
Technology for me has always been this cool thing that I could never really afford until recently. I think it has been only recently that I’ve begun to appreciate it more for its potential rather than simply something to own. When it comes to the classroom, at all ages and all grades, we need to embrace its use in all forms and use it to our advantage. For me personally, teaching in Middle School, the potential for student engagement and ownership of work for students is amazing. I’ve jumped on the bandwagon of teachers that think we shouldn’t ignore that students already have access to technology that I can barely use myself but to harness it to promote a true learning environment.
As I watched these TED talks, I began to question where the focus of our education has been. To see that we have created and groomed our students to think and behave in a specific way instead of fostering creativity and expression. With the right application of technology I think we can give our students those avenues of expression, learning and thought. I still don’t think I am in anyway an expert in the use of technology. I do believe that I now realize that I still need to develop and grow myself and be the student again. I’m excited about the possibilities. I’m excited to try new ideas with my students.