Views of Technology in Education

My views of technology in education have grew over the course of EDU 776 at Dominican University.  The classroom I currently work in, technology is used in many different ways.  We just got a smartboard put in our classroom last year, that changed everything.  We were hesitant at first if we even wanted a smartboard integrated into our classroom.   It made us nervous of whether it was going to be beneficial or become a negative aspect for our students.  At first it was rocky due to the excitement from the kids.  They seemed were so  engaged to the smartboard that when other activities not involving the smartboard they suddenly become disengaged in the classroom.  This was a good and bad thing because we had found something that our students really liked and kept them engaged, however, we had to really educate ourselves in how to do this effectively to ensure our students were learning.  This took a lot of trial and error and learning how to manage behaviors with the smartboard at the same time.  A lot of our students would obsess over the smartboard and which is when we would see some behaviors.  Finding new ways for instruction is exciting!  Integrating technology into education makes for a lot of diversity into instruction.  Great kinesthetic movement breaks, we use GoNoodle.  Being that the classroom I work in is a kindergarten-1st special education classroom movement breaks can be so beneficial for our students.

EDU 776 taught me more ways to incorporate technology into the classroom.  Technology in education is growing day by day and us educators have to keep learning and keeping up with the technology.  The class gave me ways to help myself learn as an educator.  Before, I would want to learn more about technology in education but no know how to.  Being able to communicate with classmates about ways they integrate technology into the classroom helps know what works and what doesn't for most classrooms.  This is the best way to learn because instead of having to go through trial and error, that part was already done and you know it was once tried and there was no error.  Being able to navigate the different websites given to us and see what educational technology really offers for us educators!  I loved doing a data mine on myself because it showed me what it out there about me and what I need to change to be more recognized as one person over the internet.