Hello parents! I’m glad the year has started off so well and I’m glad I got to meet most of you at Back to School Night. I know we talked about different ideas to get the students motivated in this highly technological generation. The school PTA is going to start a fundraiser that will focus of buying new technologic items that will benefit all the students in the classroom. I hope everyone would try to get involved in the fundraiser.
I know at back to school night, a lot of you had concerns about the use of technology and will it be used as more than just fun tools but for learning. I understand the concern you have because many students are easily distracted. Times are changing and the culture of the students revolves around computers and electronics. Texting and phones that keep students connected, they have a need to explore using this technology. The old ways of teaching and learning have to keep up with the students. All businesses and professions are putting a stronger emphasis on technology because it can simplify many jobs including teaching.
There are two items that would benefit student learning in the classroom. First of all, I would like Ipads for every pair of students. http://www.apple.com/ipad/. The ipad would be a creative way to link the students to websites and also could be used for reading books. If you are reading a book and there are references that the students don’t understand they could all look up the reference instantly. The second key item would be having a smart board for the classroom. http://smarttech.com. They are very interactive and it will make it easier for me to show and manipulate lessons. For instance, if we are doing geography, I can use google earth on my computer, that will project it onto the smart board to physically show the students exactly where the places are located.
Thank you all for your time and I just hope that you would take the time to review the items I have talked about. Feel free to post comments or concerns under the blog so we can all dialogue together. I look forward to your contributions. Technology will be a major part of your child’s future and we have to start preparing them now!
References
www.apple.com/ipad. Retrieved April 9 2011.
Smarttech.com. Retrieved April 9 2011
DISCLAIMER: This blog is an assignment for an educational technology course at National University. It is not a real fundraising blog.
