LA/SS Tech Integration Reflection Paper

I will begin to incorporate various curriculum and technology frameworks into my classroom instruction by providing the opportunity and access to new technologies. Counter to what tech critics theorize about technology and instructional use in the classroom, access is one of the most important aspects of infusion. As a title one teacher with limited funds and money, I cannot always infuse the latest technology into my curriculum. We do not have a 1:1 ratio of computer access in my school. As a result there is an order of priority which sometimes leaves teachers without technology.

When the technology is available I plan to infuse my curriculum with the ISTE standards to make learning more challenging and content-rich. Instead of assigning the traditional powerpoint project on a historical decades assignment, I will incorporate the changes of technology that coincide with the historical decade and how it has transformed history. If available, I would be intriguing to see if students fully understand the technology of the time and compare it to the current technology.

As a middle school teacher, I will align my curriculum with the Language Arts GLE's, EU's, and EQ's to give the students a better understanding of the importance of reading and writing across disciplines. I will also make my lesson plans more relevant by providing the students with higher order thinking questions and discovery based activities. This will enable them to explore and discover the answer by using their critical thinking skills.

Lastly, I will continue to set an example of life long learning by taking more classes such as this technology integration class. Continuing education class will improve my technology and teaching skills to better educate the students. I hope to learn more strategies to infuse content-rich lessons and technology into my curriculum.

Ch. 1 New World, New Web, New Skills

The education profession is continually changing and growing. In high school, I was one of the few students learning the new world wide web to teacher educators in the district. As the Internet expands and progresses, technology becomes the driving force to educate students. The digital divide is only going widen between those who have access to technology and those who do not. As teachers, it is out job to make sure that are students are part of the ones that have access. The way in which we introduce, educate, and prepare our students for technology and the world will determine their growth and success. Technology is ever increasing and will continue to be a major part of our educational system.

Ch. 2 Students and Learning

In the 21st century, teachers have to be cognizant of the different ways of student learning. The new generation of students are more technologically savvy and advanced than the generation of their teachers. "Having digital technology at their fingertips all the time means that students think, work, and play differently from previous generations" (Solomon & Schrum, 2006, p. 27). As a result, students have a hard time applying their learning to practical situations. Teachers are teaching the same ways and not introducing new ways of learning or keeping abreast of technology. Students are using technology in every aspect of their lives, but are being taught by ancient methodology. In order to keep students engaged and increase the learning outcomes of the future generation, teachers are going to have to get out of their comfort zones and make a commitment to be life long learners.

Ch. 9 New School vs. Old School

Change in society and school is ineveitable; therefore, so should teaching methods, strategies for learning, technology, and other aspects to improve and encourage life long learning. So, are the new school ideas necessarily better than the old school ways of knowing and learning?

This chapter would suggest that as students, schools, and technology continues to change, so should pedagogy. I think some of the old school pedagogy has attributed to the success and amelioration of the new school technological and educational advances. It was the "old fashioned ways" of teaching the basics that enabled students to apply the learned material and continue to build on their learning.

The vision needs to be expanded, but the reality is that the students today are more tech saavy, but lack the basic skills to think independently, work cooperatively, and apply the information for practical or educational purposes. The gap is definitely widening between what is and what should be because the focus has shifted from knowing and understading to rote memorization and regurgitation.

In my opinion, the old African proverb, " It takes a village to raise a child" is so critical today. We can learn from the old school ways to improve the new schools methods. The basics are just as imperative to the success of students as techology and new ways of learning.

Ch. 7 Online Safety & Security

In an ever increasing and technologically advance society, the safety and security of personal information and identity is important. Online social dating and reunion sites make more people vulnerable to online predators and identity theft.

It is imperative for educators to know and teach students about the legal requirements, copyright and intellectual property, security solutions, online ethical behavior, and other internet and computer related issues. We need to ensure that students are carefully and responsibly using the internet to minimize risks and crimes to make them more cyber aware.

As a precaution, teachers should encourage all students to take the Cyber Awareness Survey before given access to the computers or internet. Once the students understand and know the dangers and legalities of cyber usage, access to the internet should be encouraged.

Introduction- Lifelong Learner

As an educator, teaching and inspiring students to become lifelong learners is imperative. A lifelong learner is a person that desires to learn new and innovative things. This person has developed the necessary skills to continue the quest for knowledge. The learning can be as informal as pleasurable reading or a fun hobby, or as formal as schooling or classes. The important aspect of life long learning is that the learner never stops learning. He or she continues the quest for knowledge through the desire, determination, and dedication to that which is being learned. Make lifelong learning part of your habits for success!