Get rid of the pen? Not quite yet!

http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2010/09/pen-is-no-longer-weapon-of-choice.html#comment-form

For me, personally, i like to take notes by hand. I feel that I write faster than i type, and it means more to me to write it (see it, write it, say it). I am a spatial learner, so being able to draw pictures or graphs quickly to go along with my notes is very valuable to me.

Often when I have an assigment that I need to read online, I end up printing it out so that I can take notes on it or highlight it, and it's easier for me to read and comprehend that way.

I do agree, however, with your point about being able to spell check and share the notes, and especially reducing the clutter that so many papers causes.

Thanks so much for your enlightening article!

Technology in the classroom

Technology in my current classroom-- near Stone Age

Well, our school is 30+ years old, and does not have much technology built in like the newer schools.  We have a TV/VCR (I'm not sure it has a DVD player, but I'd imagine it does).  We have an ELMO machine... (an electronic overhead projector), oh and an electronic exercise bike--does that count?  Aside from our computer lab and a couple of scanners -- one which I donated-- that is all I've seen so far.  We do have a visually impaired student who is getting her own "machine" of sorts but I'm not familiar yet with what it will be capable of. 

Each teacher is assigned a laptop, but the students do not use it.  That's pretty much it as far as I've seen.  My cooperating teacher has a voice enhancer given to her by someone else, but she doesn't use it yet.  I've not hear any talk either; our principal is brand new, and I think he's going to get used to the building and the staff before he looks into any technological advancements. 

I don't think the teachers mind too much, I haven't heard any complaints yet.  Perhaps if they got an opportunity to visit another school that does rely on technology, they may be more wistful.  It would be nice to have a smartboard; a computer or two in our pod that students could use for differentiation; but if we really wanted to buck wild, iPads for the kids to use, or personal laptops, etc.  But I just don't think many of GRPS students or their families for that matter would be responsible enough to handle some of that equipment. 

As for my personal technology, I have a laptop, printer, digital camera, and flip video camera that I can utilize.

While it would be fun to learn and use all of the latest and greatest technology in our classrooms, I feel that too much of it isn't going to be a good thing.  I Love the idea of taking children on a virtual field trip where they can go any explore anywhere in the universe.  I love for them to be able to use a computer responsibly and learn how to do research or manipulate graphics/images. 

But to me, having a child - or even an adult - sitting at computer for long periods of time is pretty similar to them sitting in front of video games.  While I realize the computer should be used mostly for educational purposes, it can still be a hindrance.

I hope to get out of this class:  Some new ways to adapt simple technologies to a lesson;, maybe some new spins on old information;  learn how to create something simple --moodle site?-- that parents and students can use. 

too much

aughhh!  too many site and emails and user names and passwords!!!