Best and Worst of Technology and Topics

I would have to say that the best part about this class is that is has a relaxed atmosphere. I think that the ability to be comfortable (as difficult as that is being 9+ months pregnant at this time) made the class enjoyable. I am a firm believer in the fact that you can learn more when you enjoy what you are doing. While some of the assignments were better than others, overall the atmosphere of the class and Mr. B.'s easy going personality made this an enjoyable time.


My favorite assignment was the presentation and learning new presentation software. While I felt it took me longer to complete the assignment because I did not know the program as well as "the old stand-by," I feel that I learned something useful for my future as a teacher. I also enjoyed finding new technologies such as polleverywhere.com and thinking about ways to incorporate technology into the curriculum as a future educator.

My least favorite assignment was the textbook critique and reading level assessments. I did not feel the reading level was a good indicator of an actual assessment because the scores were much higher than should have been. It also took a lot of time to count all the words for each passage...BORING! And I couldn't get by without referring to the portfolio. As tedious as that was, after I began filling in all the indicators for my major, I started to realize how valuable this actually is. And besides, I think it is pretty neat that I am creating my own website in the process of bragging about myself.

Best of luck to everyone!

Does Technology Change the Way We Teach?

Indisputably, yes. Technology in the classroom today allows for much more content, connection, and communication with students. With web 2.0 technology like YouTube, there is so much more real content to supplement what is being taught in the curriculum. Students can see real world consequences and applications. It allows teachers and students to make bigger connections with all subjects.

As a teacher, technology also allows us to communicate with students on a different level. Through the use of e-mail, blogs, the internet, and social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook, we can be in constant contact with our students about something. We must be careful to filter our interactions and not become too comfortable with students in a faceless, and unemotional "cyberworld." It is also very easy to throw something at students and tell them to research it on the Internet, blog about it, or send me an e-mail. As teachers, we must be more cautious about authentic assessments and utilize this massive world of technology for the greater good and not just to make things easier on ourselves.

However, I do think technology allows for so much more advancement for students in special education. There are many wonderful tools for these students. Teachers must keep up with technology in order to help students succeed through the use of these mediums. This requires diligence on our part to stay current and truly continue to be lifelong learners.