clentz+Final+Reflection

534 Technology in the Classromm Final Reflection Charlie Lentz Having not stepped into a classroom in nearly 11 years I had no idea what to expect from this class. When I was in high school, we had a computer lab, but it was used to teach a typing class. To me, technology in the classroom consisted of overhead projectors, scan test and the occasional game of OREGON TRAIL on the library computer. I was amazed how technology is being used in today’s classroom. Teachers have unlimited lesson plans at their fingertips. Utilizing the technology we talked about you can find anything. Websites like ted.com, teachertube.com and itunesU can provide information on whatever your class is currently working on. Also, students have the ability to research any topic with the use of computers. They no longer have to thumb through and encyclopedia to get information. They can type in a keyword and get hundreds of links to read. Students having endless information at their fingertips can also lead to bad things. Students need to learn how to use this information correctly. Not only are there copyright laws to deal with but also the issue of plagiarism. Students can type in a topic and find hundreds of papers written on it. What is stopping them for turning one of these papers in? This wasn’t discussed too much in class but was always in the back of my mind when we were surfing the net and learning about all the information that was out there for us to use. As a teacher, it is important to keep your students engaged. By utilizing what we learned about in class I will be able to create a learning environment that is fun and exciting. My students will be excited about learning and look forward to coming to class. Most students are using computers all the time, and as Wendy put it, they have to “power down” when entering the classroom. By implementing technology in the classroom we are encouraging our students to become life-long learner and preparing them for the real world. Being the only person in America that doesn’t have a cell phone and having never sent a text in my life, you can imagine how hard this class was for me. But, what I learned in four weeks was amazing. All it took was an open mind and trial and error. Upon completing my masters in special education, I will look back at this course and say it was the most beneficial one I took. My Delicious page will grow as I find new sites to add. I will continue to take classes and learn about the new forms of technology that are out there. If I am going to promote being a life-long learner to my students, I will have to be one myself.