Reflection

It seems in today's society that technology is taking over every aspect of life. People meet this change in different ways. Some embrace the switch to the technological way of life, while others seem to oppose it with every ounce of their being. I believe that in the elementary school classroom, if we as teachers can embrace the possibilities that technological advances have brought thus far and continue to bring, we can help students to have a more interactive learning experience which has been proven to produce better results.

I think an important point to remember is that the elementary age student today has grown up with their whole 5 - 11 years revolving around technology. They are exponentially more computer competent than even we were at that age. They are familiar with the instant gratification that the internet brings, all of the digital and interactive games that are available to play, and the wealth of information that can be found at the click of a mouse. Students are so used to these commodities, and are aware of the possibilities available through technology, that to disregard technology as teachers would create a hindering, seemingly boring classroom.

I have found in my research while creating this wiki many sources which would contribute positively to the language arts classroom. All of the games under my "Grammar" page focus on sets of skills that are rather boring if taught out of a textbook. Through technology, the dry subject of grammar can be turned in to games that children actually enjoy playing. The skills are still acquired, but through this method versus worksheets or a textbook, the students do not come to dread the subject. And isn't that one of the main objectives a teacher, to help students become excited about learning?

Technology does not confine a students learning experiences to the 8am - 3pm Monday through Friday time slot. A student can hop on a computer, tablet, or even cell phone these days and learn virtually anything. I found a great site that can be used in a language arts classroom that exemplifies this point. The brainstorm and mind map online allows students to do just that - create mind maps online. The great thing about this site is that the brainstorming can be started in the classroom, saved and continued at home or anywhere else there is internet access. This allows the student to catch up if behind, or add to the web whenever an idea comes to mind without the fear of forgetting it by the next morning.

It is also very beneficial for teachers to have a website that both the students and parents can access. A teacher web page can be so helpful! It can have a calendar with assignments, notes to parents and guardians, websites with extra practice games and instructions, book lists, or even recorded lessons. This tool can help students catch up on content and material when they are absent, keep all students up to date on assignments and projects that are due, and can even serve as a communication line between parents and teachers.

Students can show their knowledge and be assessed using technology in many different ways. For example, students could use video cameras to record an original short play that has the same theme as a selected book, or they could write a professional e-mail to a person of their choice to showcase their grammar or punctuation knowledge. Certain online games could be used to assess a plethora of content, because there are so many that have been created for the virtual interactive experience. Students could also simply go to the Smart Board or Active Board and correct a D.O.L. sentence in the classroom.

Technology will not go away. It is everywhere, and will only continue to advance. I believe that teachers should embrace it, and learn how to take advantage of the hardware and software available to them, because it truly is an asset to the classroom. It is not only our job to make sure we have covered all of the assigned topics and units for the year, but to make sure the students are ready for their future in the real world, and technology is the future.