Week One Response

     Technology use in the classroom is extremely important.  By incorporating technology into the classrooms everyday schedule, the students will become more and more familiar with just how powerful and helpful it is.  I know from working in several classrooms over the past few years the teachers who use a multitude of technology applications in their classrooms have students who enjoy learning.
     Just this last month I was working in a fourth grade classroom in Pendleton.  The teacher works very hard at making sure the students use any and all technology available in the classroom; some of which are the classroom computers, ipads, ipods, smart board, and neos'.  These tools are used during the students "break time", each of these technology appliances have certain games or activities for the student(s) to use.  What is really interesting is that all of these, pre-approved, games are all educational so while they are having fun using technology, they also are learning reading, writing, and math skills.
     Having worked in both classrooms that use and do not use technology I have noticed that the classrooms which use technology the students are more willing to sit and listen when it is a time to be sitting in the desks listening to instruction.  I believe that by allowing students the freedom and responsibility of using technology equipment appropriately they realize the importants of learning and also the skill of learning just what technology can do for them.  How it can help them understand math objectives, reading objectives and even spelling.  What a great resource we as teachers have to further students who are craving more information that maybe the rest of the class is not yet ready for.