Integrating Technology

I am amazed on what kids know these days with computers. It has taken me along time to get where I am now and there are kids younger than myself who know more than me and are more advanced with all types of technology. After watching the two videos I realize how important and the benefits of incorporating instructional software. It can benefit our students academically and socially. It can enhance problem solving, critical thinking and high - order thinking skills. For example the book talks about different drills and practice the students can benefit off of. My favorite drill is the branching drill because the program determines the students prior knowledge by asking a series of questions and then will review or challenge the individual on the material. In addition the student has no idea if the computer takes two steps back to help them, it is done automatically.

Integrating technology can help a variety of students. In the video clip "Digital Youth:Sam" she uses a variety of technology that students use on a daily basis. There were two things I liked in the clip, first one is when she taught herself different software through trial and error, and exploring different areas. The second part that amazed me was when the clip pointed out a book can be downloaded onto an Ipod. It would benefit my students because of the environment I work in and most of them are auditory leraners.

If I was teaching in a ideal classroom, I would use technology to incorporate different styles of teaching. In the school environment I work in, I do not use very much technology because of the developmental level of my students. But I do believe that technology has helped students learn by having different software with drills and games that is based on education. In the clip, "Schools Use of Games for Learning and Assessment", expresses individualization and engaging students minds. One thing that caught my attention was when he said that teachers cannot just focus on the basic skills in the classroom they need to think about the future.

There are many positives to using technology in a classroom but there are also some negatives. With all different ages and their background on technology it may take to much time teaching them how to work the software and take away from learning. It also depends on the socio - economic area you work in, because not all students have a computer at home. And lastly, students may believe everything they read on the computer is a reliable source of information and as we all know it's not.