As we come closer to the end of EDT520 I find myself more willing to try new technological resources. I am not so hesitant to give my email to websites that may or may not be a tool one day in my Spanish classroom. The wall is slowly coming down, although Twitter is still locked up, never to be used.
Although I may not have grown up in a digital world I, as a future teacher, must realize that my students have experienced nothing but the digital in their lifetimes. As much as I would like to do oral activities, the occasional worksheet, artsy projects with scissors and glue, or act out skits in Spanish, my students will want and need to practice skills online. When I finally reach my own classroom I hope I will have to courage to face my own ignorance when it comes to programs like Garage Band and IMovie and let my students take those skits, family trees, and worksheets and make them into movies, web pages, and podcasts. In the long run they will most likely teach me as much about technology as I teach them Spanish.
My goal is motivate students to learn a foreign language and explore other cultures. I know technology is the key so I will continue to drop my defensive walls and keep trying new things.
Hey Dana, I also have become less reluctant in using different technological tools. Before I rarely ever gave out my e-mail or full name, while now I seem to be doing it left and right. I guess I'll do whatever it takes to become a better teacher, even though much like you I have a feeling my students will be teaching me more about technology rather than me teaching them about it.
ResponderEliminarHey Dana, I don't think you need to worry too much about losing the scissors and construction paper type projects. Just as the folks in our class have different comfort levels with technology, I expect that our students will as well. Not all of them are bound to be die hard techies.
ResponderEliminarI think as long as we are aware of what's out there in the technological world, we'll be fine. As a student I never remember being taught how to make a powerpoint, it was just something we figured out. Our future students won't be afraid to try new software and tools. I think that our job as non-tech teachers is to allow them to use any programs they feel comfortable with, be it paper and glue or GarageBand, and support them in finding extra help and resources if needed.
ResponderEliminar