Schools are starting to really push technology in the classroom. Technology is something that the students can relate to and it is something that they are interested in. Technology is a great way to gain your students interest in learning new concepts in math. You can use many different kinds of technology in math, such as a calculator, document camera, smartboard, computers with excel, graphing programs, online homework websites, and much more. Although not all teachers are familiar with new technologies that can be used in the classroom. This may cause teachers to stress out and become over whelmed if they are expected to incorporate technology into their lessons but are unsure of how to do so.
To fix this problem I think that schools should hold technology workshops separated by subject area for teachers to go. These workshops can be used to introduce new technologies to teachers and show them all they can do with technology to enhance their lessons. This is a great way to better a schools ability to use technology and is also a great way for teachers to get the most out of the technology they are given. For example a simple graphing calculator can do so much more than many people think, by attending the workshop teachers will have the opportunity to learn all of this.
Also, the smartboard can do so much to better a mathematics lesson. Many teachers including myself do not know all the functions of a smartboard. With these workshops teachers will have the opportunity to ask questions and practice with their own smartboard after the meeting. This is a great way to better teachers in a school, and it will benefit the students too. By teachers understanding and using technology students will be more engaged and eager to learn new things, since technology is something that grabs their attention instantly.
I totally agree with you that schools should hold technology workshops. I believe that this is part of professional development as well. Teachers are required to attend meetings or teachers convention, but how come they are not required to attend a technology workshop? I feel like that schools and the technology standard are just "forcing" teachers to use technology without telling them how to do so. This is basically just like teachers telling students to be creative, but without telling them how they can be creative. Showing and telling is totally different. Just like you, I wish to know more about the functions of a SmartBoard too.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you that schools should hold technology workshops separated by subject area for teachers to go. This would be a lot more effective and the time would be put into much better use. There are many technologies related to the classroom that I am not sure how to use, but my cooperating teacher for fieldwork is helping me with it. Although she is helping me learn about different types of technologies to use in the class, it does not cover many other effective technologies used in other schools or districts. It would be best that ever teacher has a well round knowledge of technologies that have been proven to be effective in many classrooms to help other teachers better supply their lesson plans.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this idea. Even though I am familiar with many of the technologies that can be used in a math classroom, I can admit that I have no idea how to work them myself. Since SmartBoards can do so much, it would be smart to have separate workshops on how to use them based on the subject being taught. An English or History teacher would use a SmartBoard differently than a math teacher. There are even technology standards for New Jersey teachers to follow! It is necessary for teachers to be taught how to use different technologies for their specific subject so they can use the technologies in their lessons.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea! I find that many young people in today's day in age always attempt to hit the ground running when it comes to new technologies. For some reason there is this mindset that we don't need to be taught how to use technology because we can figure it out on your own. But we neglect tutorials and directions at our own peril. For example, every time I play a video game, without fail I ignore the learning tutorial. Then, of course, without fail, I find myself frustrated later in my experience with the game because I did not know about a specific feature that could have tremendously helped me up to that point.
ReplyDeleteFor schools to be successful institutions in the future, it will be crucial for teachers and students alike to know the importance of becoming familiar with technologies in a formal way, and providing teachers and students with technology workshops will do just the trick.