Final Blog!

I have learned a lot of useful information in this class.  I have learned that technology is becoming a major player in today's education.  There are so many types of technology and ways to use it in the classroom.  Because technology is becoming so prominent in the world I think it is very important to incorporate it in the classroom.  Incorporating technology in the classroom will allow teachers to do a wider variety of activities with their students.  Students can make videos, create podcasts and write blogs.  Teachers can also use these tools in lessons, as well as create lessons using Smartboard technology, if they have it available.  Technology makes learning more fun and interactive and may help keep students' attention longer.
Using technology in the classroom not only benefits the students, but it helps teachers, as well.  Teachers can learn by doing, as the students do.  By using technology more frequently, they will begin to develop more technology skills.  Technology, such as spreadsheets, can be used to keep track of grades and assist in assessing students.  Technology also helps teachers communicate with other teachers, and students.  As for students, technology is helpful when teaching English language learners.  As I learned in our presentations, technology can help ELLs communicate more effectively and efficiently.  Using things such as voice blogs and Skype can help them work on their speaking skills, as well as their listening skills (which applies to ALL students).
While there are many benefits to using technology in the classroom, there are also challenges.  The biggest challenge is that technology does not always work.  Computers cannot malfunctions, projectors can die, webpages can be down...there are many things that can go wrong.  As a teacher using technology, you need to be aware of this and always have a back up plan.  This is one of the most valuable lessons I have learned this semester.  Technology is a great thing, but it does not always work to your advantage.  Overall, the most important thing that I learned from this class is that technology can make things easier, more fun, and a lot more interesting.  I plan on using everything that we have learned in my future classroom.  This was a very fun and useful class and I am going to miss all of the excitement.