Reflective Wrap-Up Post

I envision my classroom to be super fun, creative, and unique. Learning from our Pinterest assignment I have so many ideas of things I want to do. Depending on what location I am teaching in I hope I have at least a smartboard and some computers. I would love to have as much technology as I can, but I do not want to get unrealistic expectations if I am at a school that cannot provide these things. I think smartboards are super interactive and get kids up and out of their seats and of course computers to do individual activities. I think at that age (1st-3rd grade) kids are still learning what technology is and how to use it, so I think these basic tech tools will be perfect. If students do not have access to technology I think it will be hard to keep students involved. Today, technology is all around and everything is at our fingertips and not having another way of learning something available then students are restricted. I need to be able to show videos, do games and activities related to lessons, and get students interacting with different tech apps. During the day I think students should have at least an hour exposure to technology. With this I mean using a tech tool during lessons or free time. I think they still need to be engaged together and with me and hands on crafts and projects.

I will be working in Early Childhood Education (K-3rd grade). Like I said before with my students being so young they probably won’t be too exposed to technology, so I will have to teach them how to use different things. I was not exposed to a smartboard until middle school and even then I felt like a grandma not knowing what to do. I think students who do not have much technology at home will struggle with keeping up with technology in the classroom. Those with a ton of technology would strive for more in the classroom and possibly get “bored” with the regular old day to day lessons. I think with the young group they won’t be using snapchat and texting yet, but telling them the cautions of talking to strangers or doing inappropriate things is frowned upon. Technology is great to use when it is used properly. I want them to be involved with technology, but I also want them to be careful of their choices.
I am struggling with coming up with ideas on how to incorporate the technology. What lessons could I do with them or how I could make the classroom a fun place. When I was in elementary school all we had was the old projectors. I think not being in an elementary setting for fifteen years is probably going to be tough because I do not know what is “modern.” I am still learning how to use technology myself so I think I need to do more research myself before I begin teaching others. I think the world of technology in the classroom is a little scary. I do not want my children glued to a laptop or iPad. I also want them to use their imagination and learn from paper and pencil and play outside. Technology is great but it needs to be limited. It should not take over the child and answer for them. Overall technology is a great thing and I want it in my classroom, there are just some kinks and challenges I need to work through myself to ensure I am incorporating it in the right way. This class has definitely opened my eyes a little more to the world of technology in the classroom.