Blog C

I still believe that an educator in the 21st century has endless possibilities to include technology in their classroom. This can be done through teaching a lesson, helping a student who is struggling with a subject, or as a project/assignment. I believe that part of a teacher’s job is to use technology in their classroom for the students’ benefit since this is turning into a technology based world.

SmartBoards can be used in every subject and are a great way to get students up and moving while they are learning. SmartBoards are a digital version of the traditional chalk or white board, but it is connected to a computer or laptop and can save drawn images/texts, play movies, and can go on the internet. SmartBoards can be used at any grade level and for any subject. They also make it easier for students who missed the class to get the notes they need. If the teacher writes the notes on the SmartBoard and saves the notes to a file, he or she can then open the file and print off the notes for that student.

At the ACTEM Conference in Augusta this fall, I sat in on a session about Senteo Student Response Systems. This is a type of test taking device that makes tests and quizzes feel more like a game then a test or quiz. A Senteo is a remote like device where students enter their answers to a test or quiz (the questions can be on a handout, on the board, or spoken by the teacher). This device cannot be used for short answer questions or essays. It is used for yes and no, true and false, multiple choice, multiple answer, survey, and math questions. I felt this device would be best used in middle or high school since elementary school students don’t really take a lot of tests. The presenter said that his students enjoyed taking tests and quizzes on these electronic devices. He said that the first question they asked when he mentioned a test was coming up was whether they would be using the Senteos or not.

Just this week the second graders in my practicum placement started typing their written stories on laptops. I thought this was really neat because students are working with computers at a young age. Several of the second graders have had a little bit of experience with computers and typing already because they use one at home. The students also told me that they were first introduced to typing on a computer in first grade. It is crucial in this day in age to start students working with computers so early because computers are such a vital technology now.

Being technology savvy is a must in today’s world. The sooner people are introduced and get comfortable using different technologies, the better off they will be in the future. The best way to make this happen is in the schools. Teachers need to at least try to incorporate a variety of different and helpful teaching technologies into their classroom on a daily (if possible) basis.