My+Reflection+Paper

Final Reflections Technology In the Classroom** Homepage Our kids are digital learners because they were born into a digital world. Present generation is exposed to a lot of media. Many of our kids are surfing and using computers even before they start formal schooling. They look forward to active involvement while learning. A lecture or question and answer session is not enough for them. They want to explore the topics, gather information, and compile it together. According to the Institute of Social Research, today’s children and teens spend approximately three hours a week using home computers. Almost everyone including teens have cells phones, iPods and other electronic devices that they use on a daily basis. The question is why we are not utilizing these devices that kids love to have and use to teach them? There is a lot of richness in the use of technological tools because kids enjoy using them hence enhance learning. That being said, there is need for as much richness in our curriculum as possible. Lack of richness does not make learning fun and kids cannot remember, understand, apply, analyze or even evaluate because we are not teaching them the way they world have nurtured them to learn. Technology enables kids to create and share materials with each other, with their parents as well as their teachers. This saves time and makes the learning process more efficient. Teachers have a huge responsibility to make sure that students are using technological tools in an ethical manner. According to an article written by Pamela Mendel entitled “Online ethics should begin in the classroom”, educators and policy experts say that efforts to emphasize online ethics are necessary because schools have been so absorbed in mechanics of bringing technology to the classroom and teaching students basic computer skills but neglecting ethics that go with it. I am glad that the Instructors highlighted some of the public domain materials that can be utilized in the classroom. I like being up to date with technology. This class has opened my eyes to new tools that I was not familiar. I liked the way the class was carried out. Most of what was done was hands on and that made the concepts stick much better. Last week, I found myself talking to my brother about using the tools we have used in this class and he bought the idea right away. I am glad that the instructors were really knowledgeable about technological tools available for use in any classroom. I can now see myself building my curriculum on a wiki or have it on an efolio. No more huge files for me. I am planning to use some of the tools I learned during my summer school teaching. As I go forward, I will keep searching for other upcoming tools that I can use in my class or even for my own daily use. This class has at least highlighted to me that there are a lot of tools available out there and all I have to do is find them. The instructors have offered to make materials and other tools available for everyone even after the class ends. I will constantly keep an eye of any new postings or updates from them. I also have friends who are always up to speed with new technological tools. I will also be checking with them __ Sources __ http://faculty.plattsburgh.edu/stewart.denenberg/csc372/articles/ethics%20education.html
 * Stephen Ketter