Standard # 6--Use technology to live, learn, and work.
Although my school is transitioning from Title 1 to a more middle class school, most of the students I teach are on free or reduced lunch. That means most of my students do not have access to computers in their homes. Fortunately our school has a great technology teacher, and my 5th graders get Tech twice a week learning how to do word processing, Powerpoint, editing photos, researching, safety, etc. However, I notice that there is not a lot of collaboration on projects. I also have been able to leave much of this teaching to the tech teacher. In order for my students to continue to grow their technology skills, and to collaborate with each other, I need to take a more active role in integrating technology into my classroom as part of the process of learning by using the mobile lab more regularly. I also need to keep one foot in communicating to families with technology, and one foot still using paper, phones, etc.
There is still definitely a benefit to "old fashioned" means of communication. Sometimes nothing beats a piece of paper! Have fun integrating--and that is pretty cool that your school still has a technology teacher! At least you don't have to do it ALL! =-)
ReplyDelete