In elementary school I remember my technology integration to be limited. There was computers in the library and one in the classroom but they were rarely used. When we did use the computer for educational games it was slow and the graphics were very simple. It was a huge reward to be able to use the computer however, and I remember how excited I was when I could use it. Sometimes my teachers would roll a TV into the room and we would watch a movie. In middle school I remember using a computer lab for the first time. My entire class would sit down together at our computers and do typing programs or use paint for projects. We had a whole block for just computer usage for our work! It was a big change from elementary school and I really enjoyed it.
High school was a very different experience from elementary and middle school. Many classes borrowed laptops from the library and we used them for research during class. The library had two computer labs alone! There was a small computer lab on the second floor and a larger one on the first floor. We were not only allowed to use technology for school work and projects but we were pushed to! I remember my favorite class senior year of high school was videography. We were given a hand-held video camera in groups and were sent out into the school to make our own videos. Once we had the footage we needed we went back to class and edited on the computers right in the classroom! The editing program was very neat and I have not forgotten it. They were Macs, and with my family being a PC family, it was a new and exciting experience.
Now technology is a huge part of my everyday life. My laptop is used everyday for school work and social media. I have a smart phone which is always on my person and I recently got a Fitbit Flex to track my activity and my sleep! Since technology is so prominent now I know that integration into my classroom will be vital. Students will learn how to research correctly and how to use a computer properly. Cell phones will not be used in my classroom, especially with the younger children. My students will also have an iPad to use when they finish their work early, as a reward. Since I plan to be in special education, I think that Apple is a great choice for a tablet because of the extensive educative applications for both general and special education students! I am very excited to integrate technology into my lesson plans and my classroom!
In my high school we also borrowed lap tops from the library to use them in class to do research for a project. I found it to be very helpful because in my high school the two computer labs that we had always were full. Thats so cool that the school let you use video cameras to make your own videos. I think that is a great way to get students interested and involved in technology. I feel that technology has become a huge part in everyones lives now too! Maybe at times it can be a little to much involved with technology. I think using technology in your classroom will be great and especially using apple for general/special education is a great idea! I hope to be able to bring technology into my own classroom some day and to use it as a different method of teaching.
ReplyDeleteI think it is really cool that you were able to use laptops in high school! It is also so awesome that you had a videography class, and they trusted you with the equipment necessary for a class like that! I also have a fit-bit flex and absolutely love it, and it is such an amazing little thing that does so much. I think the idea of not allowing cellphones in the class especially for the younger students is a very good idea, and the ipad idea is also very good for a reward, especially for special needs students. Apple is an amazing company and has a great amount of technology built into them that is fun, while being easy to use.
ReplyDeleteI like how you included how you are still using technology beyond your K-12 experience! I think that technology is becoming more and more important and you would not even be able to get by as a college student without it! It is important that we all have knowledge on how to use computers and the different programs that are associated with computers! What exactly is fit-bit flex? Do you like it?? I want to find helpful applications to use both in and out of the classroom. I agree that Apple is a great company, whose products would be very helpful in the classroom setting. They have many applications made for not only general education learning, but also to assist in learning academic and life skills for children with mild and severe disabilities.
ReplyDeleteI remember my elementary and middle school experience being the same exact way as yours! All of the computers in my school were rarely used and when they were it was like a special treat! I wish my high school experience was more like yours, a videography class sounds absolutely amazing. It's not only teaching you how to do things but you're having fun while doing it. I think using Apple in a classroom for special needs children is an awesome idea. There are so many great new applications on tablets that can really help children in many ways.
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