Hello Parents & Guardians,
I want to start by saying “Welcome to our classroom blog!” We are all very excited about this year, and the potential it brings. I created this blog as a means to communicate with you all and share exciting information about upcoming fundraisers that pertain to technology in the classroom. We all know that we are living in a technology driven world, and things are ever changing. It is important to integrate some of that technology into the classroom and educate our students on how to use and respect it.
One way to get involved is to join Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). You will be involved with fundraising efforts to put more computers and technology into each classroom. You might be wondering, “How can technology help my child learn?” Below are resources and literature that answer that very question. As an educator, it is my job to “stay with the times” and give your child the best education possible, and today that includes the use and understanding of multiple forms of technology. I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes:
"We already knew that kids learned computer technology more easily then adults, it is as if children were waiting all these centuries for someone to invent their native language." Jaron Lanier
At the top of the wish list is the SMART board. This is incredibly useful and beneficial because it allows the teacher to incorporate interactive collaboration in the classroom. In addition, they are simple and easy to use and increase student engagement. This device allows a teacher to combine the use of a whiteboard with a computer, making lessons more engaging. The teacher is able to write digitally, and save the notes.
SMART Boards http://smarttech.com/
Overhead Projectors http://education.ti.com/educationportal/sites/US/homePage/index.html
Apple's iPad http://www.apple.com/education/why-apple/
Why Integrate Technolgy into the Curriculum?: The Reasons are Many http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction
I truly believe all students have an amazing capacity to learn technology at an incredible pace. In addition, I have seen how well children can express themselves through the use of varying types of technology. I feel this is an area of untaped potential for so many students, but we need your help to accomplish this.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns please let me know. I am looking forward to hearing from you and continuing our communication via the classroom blog. In addition, if you have any more ideas or information regarding technology in the classroom I would love to hear from you. Thank You!
DISCLAIMER: This blog is an assignment for an educational technology course at National University. It is not a real fundraising blog.
References:
Edutopia Staff (2008, March 17). Why integrate technology into the curriculum?: The reasons are many [Online Forum Comment]. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction
