ESL Teacher Reflection #5

I am really happy I was able to attend class on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving break because I think the guest speaker was really interesting.  Her presentation helped open my eyes to the benefits of using technology in the classroom.  Growing up I was very exposed to technology, so I guess you could say I am pretty experience.  Due to my background, I think it is only necessary that I use the perks of technology in my future classroom in order to teach my students.  After all, kids nowadays are introduced to iPads and other technology as babies, so their understanding of technology may even be better than mine!  The programs that we used during lecture seemed to be very useful, and much different then the typical worksheets, tests, and papers. 

            Technology is a huge part of our world today, so I think it is important that technology is used in the classroom.  No matter what, students will eventually need to learn how to use it in everyday life, so starting at a young age will help students get ahead in the learning process so they can becomes more advanced as quickly as possible.  Technology is always developing and changing, so keeping students up to date on the new gadgets is a great way to gain attention and familiarize them with these tools.  Young kids are already exposed to technology earlier then kids my age were, so they have a step ahead right from the bat, but some students do not have the opportunity to expose themselves to technology for social or economic matter.  Therefore, the classroom is a great way to make sure that every student is working with technology and developing their understanding and skills.

            Using technology in the classroom can be very fun and entertaining for the students!  School tends to be really repetitive when it comes to learning and lesson and then being tested on the material.  Often times there are worksheets to do, papers to write, and reading from textbooks.  Changing up the teaching approach by incorporating technology could make the learning feel less like work and more fun!  I know that when I was a student, I loved it when we watched movies in class or got to make fun videos or podcasts for projects.  When I was in high school, my school purchased some smart boards for the math classrooms and later purchased them for all the classrooms.  The smart boards were such a cool form of technology, and every time our teachers allowed us to write on the boards, every student was so happy!  Writing on the smart boards was an incentive to do work.  they had so many cool features and enhanced the classroom environment.  I just think that technology is a great way to make learning fun, more versatile, and different!  Working with technology gives kids and incentive to do work.  I will certainly include technology in my classroom!