Mod #4 Edu Blogger

The name of the blog that I commented on was called “Free "Free Technology For Teachers" and  the specific post was titled “Qwips –record audio captions for your pictures”.  As a student teacher in world filled with technology, I have been experimenting with and looking for new ways to engage my students.  I started off this semester just using technology in front of the room, as a means of instruction.  I used smart board activities, videos, and interactive games to get the students interested.  Now that I am getting to know the students well, and figuring out what we can do with limited resources, I am working technology into class work.  Just last week we did blogging for the first time – students blogged about their experiences coming to the United States as English Language Learners and commented on each others' posts, a great success! Now that I saw how well blogging worked, I am interested to see what else I can do with technology to benefit my students and make learning fun and engaging, digital story seems like it might be next on my agenda!  Now, with Quips I have an easy way for students to record their voices and narrate pictures.

Education on a Jet-Set Planet!

      


Throughout history, education has been very much transformative in nature. As the world around us has shifted from primitive, to jet-set, many changes have been seen. The video Educational Change Challenge highlights the challenges that current-day educators face, along with emphasizing how crucial technology is in  the modern-day classroom . 
         I thought that the video was very much appropriate for an up-and- coming educator.   First of all, it mentioned that not all students can benefit from the same style of learning.  Therefore, having a group of students all doing the same thing, with the same learning goals, is looked at as something of the past.  Focusing on the importance of technology and creating an educational space that mirrors the students' real- life surroundings is critical.
       According to the video, one of the challenges that we face is that there is no clear vision of exactly what education is, or what it should look like. Looking at this, it is also important to realize  that if an educator, doesn't "use it" they will "lose it", with regard to technology and the connection they have with their students.  Modern day education has come a long way from the homogenous one- room school house.  Our classrooms are now built on diversity, and rely very much technology to connect, teach, and inspire students to learn and become life-long learners.