We will miss Aspen Elementary!!

Video:  Vision for technology in K-12 Education by Microsoft

     The video I chose this week was made by Microsoft and it gave a glimpse of the possibilities when technology is incorporated in education.  A student checks her messages on her ipod touch.  She gets on her computer and gets the e-mail and vid-cast sent by her teacher.  He sent text info about the fieldtrip and pictures of the venue.  When they got back to the classroom they downloaded the pictures they took on the fieldtrip on to a surface computer.  The students were able to poll their opinions on electronic devices and create awesome reports on their laptops with writing pads.  They have chat correspondence with teachers to get after hour answers to their questions. Parent teacher conferences are held with the teachers showing the parents the students work on surface computers.  This was a great video showing a range of the possibilities... now if we only get the funding!

 

     This was our last week with the students at Aspen Elementary.  We learned so much from our experience and it is hard to say goodbye.  It was amazing to see a fourth grade classroom in action on a daily basis.  We watched the students and how they reacted to technology in the classroom and in their technology class.  They love technology and are excited to see it used and learn to use it themselves.  When we used powerpoint in our lessons the studentsreacted positively.  They also liked when their teacher showed them their grades on the computer.  They responded positively to music on the computer or sound system and they loved their computer specialty class. 

     This is encouraging for my anticipation to teach my own class.  Students need transition physically and they also need transition intellectually.  Technology provides this.  When they go to print their papers in Miss West's technology class, the students were just beaming with pride in their success to publish their work on the computer.  When the music played on the sound system the students often wanted the music to play longer and would sing and dance to it if the teacher consented to let it run a little longer.  Technology is an outlet for students and they love when it is utilized.  

     I have felt encouraged to utilize technology in my classroom because of our experience in Miss Fletcher's fourth grade class.  I will use powerpoint just like the speaker at the assembly in the media-center.  I will encourage students to publish works of their own on the computer, I will use every avenue that is offered so that the students will be encouraged to feel comfortable with technology in a safe environment of learning and exploring technological options.