Technology Integration: What I have learned

It is so hard to believe that it is the end of the term. I have learned so much this term. I learned to think of technology in a different way. Previously, it was more of a rare occasion, and now after learning how much technology students use away from school I try to make a more conscious effort to use it purposefully in the classroom. I hadn't considered using Blogger as a journal tool, until this semester. I think it is a wonderful way for students to express themselves, and for others to read, and discuss topics. I learned a much easier way to make rubrics thanks to Rubistar! I for the first time in my life created a WebQuest using Google Site! I have to admit, it was quite intimidating at times trying to figure out how to get the site just how I wanted it to. After working on it, and just playing around I figured out what to do. Something else I learned this semester is just how beneficial technology can be when trying to meet the needs of students at various levels in the classroom. There are some programs that level children, and work with them where they are on math skills. This is beneficial for many reasons because with twenty different students it would be hard for me to create individualized problems for each, but the math program does right away. Technology is also a great tool for those Gifted and Talented students that we have. I read an article previously this semester that made the case for how technology allowed these students to truly express themselves, and I couldn't agree more. There are some standards in South Carolina that relate directly to using the internet as a research tool, but I believe that other standards can be met by using technology. I believe that we as educators just have to prepare lessons that incorporate technology by design. I look forward to adding Blogger to my classroom once I am back in the Elementary setting! Thanks for a great semester!