Blog #1 - Technology in The Classroom

 Educational Technology 

Previous Technology Experience 

In my first two field experiences, the main technologies I have used in the classroom are Ipads, laptops, and Smartboards.

Ipad: We used Ipads in the classroom for practice activities through educational apps like Blooket. Teachers can use this app to create games with questions to assess what the students have learned and what topics need to be reviewed again in class. 

Laptops: Students used this form of technology to make presentations, research and inquiry, and to design posters. Students also used laptops to upload projects and assignments onto the school app for grading where the teacher and parents can access and keep up with the students school progress. 

Smartboards: This technology was used in all of the classrooms mainly for the teachers to teach their lesson, have students do presentations, and to play youtube videos - mostly for body breaks for grade one students. 

Third Year Practicum 

My mentor teacher's goal is to use less technology in the classroom and focus on hands-on activity. 

We use:

Smartboard - for google slides for lessons and youtube (body breaks)

Document camera - to zoom in and focus on writing and visual examples for activity sheets/books. This is helpful for visual learners and early grade students.

Burning Question

Can students become too reliant on technology in the classroom?

Why is this question important?

As a teacher, I want to find a good balance between using technology and conventional education. I want to differentiate instruction the best I can to help students without focusing on the use of technology as I worry it will decline the student's dexterity ability.