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.
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3 comments:
I really agree! I love coming to class because I am learning new ways to use the technology that is already available at my school. I feel that once I am introduced to the technology my mind is opened and constantly thinking about how I can use this in the classroom! I love this feeling, and my students are going to benefit from this!
Glad you feel that way Jenny - that is just what I want this course to do. We sometimes just need time (sometimes that making time for a course) to just play and work with the technology. It is not easy - but there are so many possibilities.
I liked this research article because it struck me that the researchers might be talking about me. I love technology now that I know how to use it but when I first started teaching, it was terrifying. I was one of those teachers that needed to be shown how everything worked. I would not push a button for fear something might happen, like smoke coming out of that expensive machine or worse yet, it might freeze up on me and I would be helpless. Then I learned when I pushed the button that I wanted something to happen, and when it does not work I get frustrated. The thought of technology not working in front my audience(students) also scared me at first because I was not a techie expert. Now I feel more confident and if things don't work the way I expect them too.... well it is like with all teaching ... think on your feet and try another way.
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