What Do You Think?

Every day technology is changing the way humans live their lives.  Just one hundred years ago we had yet to fly, and barely 60 years later we were standing on the moon.  A computer at that time filled up an entire room, and today a student can hold one infinitely more powerful in the palm of his hand.  Technology affects everything; teaching and learning are no exception.  Computer technology has advanced so rapidly, even in just the last five years, that educators are constantly trying to play catch up.  Without astronomical funding I believe technology will always be a generation or two ahead of what the school system can afford.  That being said, the classroom of tomorrow will probably look drastically different than today.  While funding will always put limitations on technology in education, the price of even the most advanced product drops over time, making many things more affordable to the average person.  Most classrooms today have anywhere from one to five computers available to the students.  I believe that within ten years that number will expand so that every single student in a classroom has their own personal computer, probably right on the desk, or even incorporated into the desktop.  Communication devices, like cell phones, internet devices, and even satellite technology will play a much larger role in the classroom, shrinking the size of the globe to the dimensions of the classroom.  Interactive software will be more advanced, allowing students a virtual hands-on experience with the topic they're discussing.  How much cooler is it to think of seeing a 3D projection of a tiger prowling the classroom, growling and eying the students for lunch, rather than looking at one in a book?  The role of the teacher will still be just that...to teach.  But I believe there will be more facilitating of ideas rather than just the explanation of concepts.  Lecturing will taper off, and discussions will start to dominate the day.  Students will learn from each other nearly as much as from the teacher. 

It is impossible to predict where technology will take us in the future, given that most couldn't have predicted smart phones, portable GPS units, or the proliferation of the internet just twenty years ago.  But the educator can be assured of one thing: it will be up to him to harness the awesome technology and use it in a way that will benefit his students. 

Dreamtime!

If I were given the chance to pick all the different audio/visual equipment I could ever want for my classroom, the school district's budget would have to be through the roof!  I think it would be necessary to ask for a Smart Board with all the attachments.  I'd use the board primarily for demonstration and presentations, but I'd also use it to show videos and allow the students to interact with the touch screen.  Most of my students will probably already be familiar with touch screens from using smart phones or iPads or eReaders, and they'll like being able to use similar technology in the classroom.  Speaking of iPads and eReaders, I'd ask for several of each of these, as well; enough for each student to have their own.  iPads could be used everyday in every subject.  Besides just using computers for their word processing, iPads can can be used for personal research, presentations, multimedia, internet searches, and more.  In fact, there's just about no limit to what the students could do with an iPad, and as more software becomes available more options will emerge.  eReaders would eliminate the need for books, creating a "greener" classroom.  Students could use the eReaders for homework, personal reading, or for other purposes, similar to the iPad.  I'd also like to see communication software in the classroom, like Skype, so my students can personally interact with individuals or entire groups of people from all around the world.  In all, I'd say the cost per student for all of this is somewhere around $1000.  Probably more than the district would be willing to spend, but it's a dream, right?

Technology Troubles

Technology is an important tool to use in the classroom, but with every new product comes a new headache.  At least for me.  It isn't that I don't want to learn how to use it, but it takes me a while to overcome some of the initial challenges of figuring out how to.  I can't simply read about a product or web tool and then sit down and use it.  I need to spend the time playing with it, making mistakes with it, and learning by trial and error.  I know some people that can open up a new product or new software and almost immediately understand how every aspect of the thing works.  This is certainly not me.  I assume there are more people that learn the way I do than people like the instant experts, and when using new technology in the classroom I will help my students learn by doing things hands on.  This will give them the chance to understand how something works better than by listening to my instruction and then trying to apply what I've said to what they're trying to do.  I also believe that there will be some technology that my students will be teaching me about.  As the younger generation is growing up with technology literally in their hands, I've no doubt that I could learn just as much from them as they from me.

Welcome!

Welcome to Mr. Eagle's Class for 2011.  I'm looking forward to the upcoming year.  This is my first year teaching, so I'm looking forward to learning along with you in the next nine months.  I received my B.A. from the University of North Florida in Anthropology, and my M.Ed. from Mount Vernon Nazarene University.  My teaching style reflects much of what I've learned in the last four years.  I am dedicated to creating unique instructional events to match up with each student's individual learning style.  Each student is a unique, valuable part of society and I will ensure the learning environment in comfortable and relaxed.  I believe in fairness and respect, and will treat every student like the individual they are.