Chapters 4 & 6

Chapter 4 explained many of the benefits, and obstacles, to implementing technology in the classroom.  I particularly appreciated the discussion of how technology can be used by teachers to make their classrooms more interactive and how they can extend the walls of their classroom.  For instance, the chapter mentions that homework is often an individual activity.  However, a teacher can make homework more interactive and collaborative by posting a discussion topic on the class website and having students respond to what they read, as well as having them respond to each other.  

I also liked the idea of technology enabling teachers to spend more time with their students and increasing the individuality of learning.  For instance, if a teacher has several computers in their room, the students can be divided up into groups where some students are engaged with the computers, some students are working individually, and some students are receiving small-group instruction from the teacher.  Students who may be lagging behind may find this approach very helpful and increase their competence in the classroom.  

Finally, the importance of teachers using technology for developing lesson plans, keeping attendance, keeping grades, and measuring progress in areas like homework cannot be overstated.  The use of these tools to help us, as teachers, keep better track of our students progress will not only save time, but decrease the likelihood that students will fall behind because of an oversight by the teacher.  

The increased interaction, cooperation, convenience, and attention to detail that technology gives us opens up many opportunities as educators and, perhaps even more importantly, helps our students learn better.

Chapter 6 was filled with exciting examples of interactive resources and technology based lessons and activities.  Of course, I paid special attention to the WebQuest, however there were a myriad of other useful tools presented in the chapter.  Student-to-expert communication sites, real-time and recorded data websites, and skill-practice websites offer very unique opportunities to students and teachers alike.  By using some of these sites, students can see how what they are learning in the classroom applies in the real world.  Additionally, the interactive component of all of these tools must be emphasized.  For instance, videoconferencing brings forth many possibilities for student interaction with people and places that would have previously been inaccessible.  Other interesting sites that offer unique activities such as the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives help students to further to connect with their subject.  

Essentially, the sheer amount of resources available to teachers and students is encouraging, despite sometimes being a bit overwhelming!

Questions:

1.  Do you think homework would have been less tedious for you if it enabled you to interact with peers?

2.  What are some online resources that you would like to use for your subject?