Week 3

The thing that surprised me most about the Student Technology Showcase videos was how young the students began using technology in the classroom. I assumed that using iPads, laptops, and programs such as iMovie was something that was reserved for upper elementary grades at the youngest; however, there was even a video about a kindergarten class using iPads! Overall I was very impressed by the videos, and they inspired me to learn more about technology so that as a future teacher, I can hopefully do similar activities with my students. It was clear that the technology really got the students excited about learning in a way that no book can. They were also able to collaborate in ways that simply aren't possible without technology. Not only that, but they were able to create something totally new, whether it was a video about the water cycle, or a story they recorded and animated, and that really instilled a sense of pride in the students.

In order for technology in the classroom to be successful, like in the video examples, schools need devices for every student, such as an iPad or iPod touch, etc., and teachers who know how to use them and are comfortable using both hardware and software. This is where the difficulties lie. Technology devices are very expensive, and many schools do not have the money to buy hundreds of iPads. Also, there are a lot of teachers who have been teaching for a long time who may not feel comfortable using that kind of technology with their students. Lastly, even the teachers who do feel confident using technology need some sort of training on how to use technology effectively. It will not benefit students to use technology if the teacher is merely using it for the sake of using it, or as a time filler. Teachers need professional development to help them use technology as a way that will enhance their students' learning.

I thought the videos were great examples of technology being used effectively. Some of my favorites were "The Comanche Insider" from Canyon High School, "Passion Based Learning," and "S.M.I.L.E." from McPherson Magnet School, and "No Longer Lost in Translation" from Fisler School. McPherson Magnet school seemed to utilize inquiry-based learning, which we learned is fairly rare. They encouraged students to ask questions and come up with what they wanted to learn, and then learn it by doing research on their internet devices. This is an extremely useful skill for them to learn, as it will help them to become life-long, self-sufficient learners. The Comanche Insider was really cool because students were in charge of creating a daily news broadcast which was shown to the entire school every morning. The students did all the work themselves: they were in front of the camera, they were editing, the were filming. They had to learn to work well together, and work efficiently to meet deadlines. I liked the No Longer Lost in Translation project because the goal was to help students with their speaking skills. The teacher found that a lot of students didn't have the confidence to speak up in class. By recording themselves telling stories on the spot and then animating them, the kids got to practice their speaking skills in a creative way. I think this is something that would benefit all students, especially English learners, and also students who are shy, like I was.