[journal 1] beliefs

Michelle Wyatt
1.12.11

“What are your beliefs about teaching and learning with technology?  Describe how technology has supported learning in classrooms you have observed.”

                I think that technology can be used in very beneficial ways that support learning for students AND teachers.  Technology has created opportunities for students and teachers to become organized, efficient, and neat.   Different software such as word, power point, excel have all been designed to help and support education. Technology has revolutionized the teaching profession as well as the students’ career, however wonderful; it does have its drawbacks.  Students rely heavily on the internet and computers and forget about the books and journals.  Technology can also be a downfall though, quality lessons that are more valuable by DOING (being creative and making a prop or poster board) are undermined by throwing together a power point. 

                The most common form of technology I have seen thus far (I’ve been mostly in elementary schools) is the doc cam.  Many teachers have tech-centers set up at the front of the class that include the doc cam and a computer.  If necessary materials are available on the computer they can switch gears and present them to the class on the projector.  It works really well when giving instructions or reading a book to a class.  The teacher doesn’t have to worry about who can’t see, s/he simply has to just put it on the doc cam and it is large enough for everyone.