Technology Integration

For some reason, all of the teachers in my building say they "hate technology". It cracks me up because they all either have a Blackberry linked to their emails, an Android phone, or the iPhone. They all have Face Book accounts, which I know because I am their "friend". Some like to Twitter while others prefer to text or IM. All of the teachers "talk" to each other on email during the day for relevant or irrelevant questions about our teaching day. I walk around the school and see so called "haters of technology" using their tablets, projectors, and a few lucky girls are using the ELMO. Hmmmm, "hate" technology? I think not.

• One way that I have been able to inspire others in my building is with blogs. I have turned on my team to the amazing world of faithful bloggers who share lessons, pictures of their projects, and even give links for free printables. It's pretty neat because I have talked my colleagues into using Google Docs. so that they won't loose their information. We also use Google Docs for the presentation feature to show clips from You Tube without all of the comments, which are often inappropriate for students or a distraction.
• I am serving as a teacher leader simply by using the technology, showing my peers how to use different programs or websites, and talking about how much I love it and how much my students love it. In my actions and conversations are where I have influence.
• I chose to learn about Excel and I shared my results with my principal. She loved that I showed the students the real-world application of graphs. She actually spoke about it at a staff meeting and the 5th grade teacher spoke up how he loves to use Excel to show his class their results-anonymously to create a little competition. I happen to know that one of the third grade teachers tried it and found it easy after I gave him the websites that I used for the tutorials. As a newer teacher, it feels good to contribute to a seasoned staff of teachers and to be noticed by the principal.

So, all in all, the teachers are not haters-they just say they are because that is the common response. I believe that they would have a very rude awakening if they were told to not use technology at all for an entire day. Then we would see how much they "hate it".

Use It or Lose It

It's so easy to choose not to use all of the amazing technology that is at our disposal in the classroom.  It's easy to say that students learn best the same way that we did; drill and kill, memorization, dry old basals, and on and on.   

Another obstacle is having our technology work for us.  I love to use technology when it works with no clitches. I will sometimes opt to not use my projector or tablet because of the time it takes to pull up the materials on my computer. 

But the fact of the matter is, is that we are teaching the new generation and we owe it to them to choose the best method of instruction.  So I am making the use of technology in my lessons intentional.  I try to think about what my own children would find interesting and go from there.  I am fortunate because I have a Kindergartener and a Second grader.  I teach the first grade so I am bound to find something someone is interested in. 

My BIGGEST concern is time.  We are required to meet standards, collect data, manage behavior, and foster relationships.  With all of the lesson planning, I hate to incorporate technology that I am not always confident will work.  I need to change my attitude because the reality of teaching is that it is all uncertain.  How many times have I prepared an amazing lesson that was differenciated for all students and then 3 children were absent?  Or a great lesson was planned and then we ran out of time because of a convocation or just ran out of time.  Soooooo, I just need to get over my issue and realize that teachers always need to have backup plan regardless of technology or not.

I am proud to say that in my classroom, I am making a conscience effort everyday to use the technology provided to me from our district and I also am allowing the children to use the tablet and the responders.  Funny thing, the children are quick learners and I can't let it intimate me, instead I need to praise them and be open to learning from them. 

Everyday Software Skills

Teaching 1st grade is challenging enough in the 21st century before I even think about all of the technology that I use and plan to use.  The thing is, I use a lot more software that I give myself credit for.  When some one asks me about my experience with technology, I quickly say that I am fearful and that if I didn't have to use it then I wouldn't.  But in reality, I use quite a bit of software and I am getting ready to use A LOT more. 

Regular use of software applications:

• Microsoft word for communication with parents, creating behavior charts, newsletters, creating worksheets, and creating tables for scheduling/organization.
• Harmony program for grade book, attendance, and behavior/communication documentation
• Outlook for emailing
• My projector and tablet to model and do lessons along with the students and to view videos
• Power Point for beginning of the year Back to School Night
• Laptops for Compass Learning Odyssey and other educational websites

Recently I have had the privilege of attending in-services about Google Apps. (Google Docs.) and a brain exercise program called Fast ForWord.  I will be using Fast ForWord daily for 30minutes beginning next week with our laptops.  I am interested in using Google Apps. to create collaborative stories and view You Tube through the presentation mode because it will just show the video with out the comments visible to the students.  To me, this is important because of the appropriateness of the the comments found on the Internet.  I also will be using Microsoft Excel to help create graphs to prove student growth and to identify struggling students.

My action plan is simple: use Fast ForWord 30 minutes a day each day, continue to build the Excel templates and view the growth with my students on their tests and their reading benchmarks, and to use Google Apps. whenever I am viewing a video from You Tube (which is about weekly).  I am eager to show the students what I have learned to excite them that no matter how old or educated you are, you can always learn new things.  I also love to show the students things I have learned regarding technology because they love it so much and are engaged with the lessons that focus on technology.  It is their native language, after all.