Research Article

Journal of Computing in Teacher Education: Case Studies of Future Teachers: Learning to Teach with Technology
(Winter 2004-2005)

This article discussed teachers using technology inside their classrooms. The participants in this study were all enrolled in the first course of a three-course educational technology series. The participants were interviewed a number of times during each course, in regards to their use and feelings towards technology in their classroom.

During the first course, the participants discussed using technolgy inside their classroom, based upon their own skills and experiences with technology. The more and varied the technology experience they had, the more and varied they imagined it could be used in the classroom. Most spoke of using word processing and e-mail. Other technology savvy participants discussed using scanners, digital camers and otehr advanced software features. A semester into the study the participants became more confident with their abilities and ways to use technology. Th reasearch shows that the teachers must be shown the technology, and see it modeled (by the faculty). The must be offered instruction and practice in integrating technology into their classrooms.

The participants were also asked about some of the challenges the might face when using technology in the classroom. The challenges mentioned in the first semester and different than those mentioned in the second semester. Early on students in the first interview showed concern with simply getting the technology to work. Later, in second interviews (once students became more familiar with ways to use the technology) having enough time was the lagest concern.

This article proves to me that the more I learn in this class, the more I will use in my own class. The projects and activities we do and participate in give me practice and experience, which will then make me more comfortable with them, so I can use them later in the future. :) This class is getting me more and more comfortable with technology and ways to use it, and the more comfortable I am, the more likely I am to use it.

ipods

I was shown a few ways to use ipods inside the classroom this summer. First off, I feel that ipods will be like computers here in a few short years. By that I mean, I think think everyone will have one....at least it would be nice to think so. Ipods are just one of the best technological devices out there. My 5 year old cousin has one as well as my 55 year old dad. They both use it for the same thing (although they have different taste in music). The main thing we used ipods for during class was listening to stories. Lets say a parent is not home to read to a child, well that is no excuse for the child to not be read aloud to. We were given multiple websites where you can download stories that children can listen to. As a teacher, you could do more with these activities :). A child could also record themselves reading or telling a story! I am sure, just like the palms, there are programs for the ipods but not all schools can afford such things. I know Apple is very generous in regards to educators (they give a good discount....and actually a few years ago I know they didn't give one for the ipod....but maybe now since so much evidence shows that these can be used in positives way, they will give an educational discount on them), it would be wonderful if schools could have at least a classroom set to use!

Lesson Plan

After blogging now for a few weeks, I decided that the best area (for me at least) to incorporate blogging into would be into reading. My idea for a lesson could be used in almost any grade. As long as students were comfortable with typing and they could spell and create sentences.

I would have each student in my class create their own blog website, just like we have done for this class. Then I would have the students blog about the books they are reading independently. The would have certain guidlines they would need to follow, but basically they would be writing different book reviews for the books they are reading. All of the other students in the classroom would be able to access everyone else's blog and be able to see what some great books might be to read. It would also be a way for a student to learn a little bit about the book. This blogging could also help improve communication between students. If a student has a question about a book they know another student read they could go up to them a discuss the book with them or ask them the question.

I would create guidlines for this assigment. Students would have to post a new book every week (or around there). They would also have to give a summary of the book and whether or not they liked it and would reccomend it.


I feel that this would not only improve students independent reading ability, but it would also help with their keyboarding skills. This could create a communication between the students and could maybe even eventually spark a book club :)

ABC Books

When we were told that we were going to create alphabet books I got really excited. Over my years here I have created many alphabet books, and shared them with differents students. At first I doubted that the old students would appreciate the books, but once I shared it with them I realized I was wrong. Alphabet books are great ways to incorporate technology. I have never used powerpoint to make a book, but now seeing how easy it is I would definitely want to implement this into my classroom. You could use it for a wide varitety of subjects, especially to help students review material.

Pen Pals/Postcards

I have been in a lot of different classrooms that have used pen pals and have absolutly LOVED it. I have known people to do it with other people of older grades and then the students eventually meet and become mentors. I have also seen it done with students of the same grade levels but from different places. Another thing that I have seen and even participated in is flat stanely. I haven't actually read the book, but I have had to take flat stanely with me plenty of places.

I also wanted to comment on the postcards that we have to create. I think that this is a great idea, if used in the right sence. If the postcards are used to share information that is educational, then it would be a wonderful idea. I think this boy is going to be so excited once he gets this box of postcards from us. I hope one day to use idea in my classroom!