Exit Slip, Week 14, 12-7-10

There are quite a few things that I have learned this semester that has changed my thinking about technology’s role in teaching and learning. One of the biggest things that have changed for me would be learning when and how to use technology. If technology is enhancing the lesson or activity that I am doing, than I should definitely use it. On the other hand, if the activity or lesson I am doing is great without technology, there is no need to incorporate it! I think a lot of people simply use technology, even if it’s not needed, just to say they use it in their classroom; this is the wrong use of technological tools.

The other ways my thinking has changed over the semester is the ways I can actually use technology within my classroom. The biggest and most profound way I want to use technology will be communication with parents. I truly plan on creating a wiki for my future classroom that will outline all of the things we do inside and outside the classroom. This will include a daily schedule, my contact information, any homework assignments I give, etc. I believe parents will benefit from having this extra source of information.

The last thing that really struck me this semester was the extensive debates we have had about how technology may or may not be overtaking classroom teaching. Many students are looking for outside learning experiences and technology is providing students with these experiences. A good teacher can incorporate these technologies into his or her classroom to motivate students to still come to school and learn with their peers. Also, although my opinion hasn’t entirely changed on home schooling, I do believe I have broadened by knowledge about this type of learning experience. We had quite a few debates and discussions over this topic and it has made me realize how technology can be beneficial in every setting of society.

Today in class we viewed an article about a district in Texas that is banning teachers from using technological tools such as blogging, text messaging, Facebook, email, etc. This angers me and makes me very disappointed because I can now truly realize how beneficial technology is in the classroom. In the beginning of the semester, when I looked at the course syllabus, I was extremely frightened by the amount of work I saw. I had never listed to, let alone make, a screencast or a podcast. I had NO idea what an “iRLO” was and I had only worked with an interactive whiteboard on a limited basis. After finishing this semester I have realized how this class has prepared me for my future. I look back and I can honestly say to myself “That really wasn’t that bad!” I have really enjoyed this class and I will always value the information I learned.