I teach fourth grade math and science. I love technology, but have to admit that I really do not do a very good job of integrating it into my teaching. It is my hope to change that...... to gain ideas from others of how to change. Like many, I have learned to rely upon the standards and, unfortunately, the textbook to get students ready for the test. While I think I am beyond an entry level, it is hard to admit that this is not really the case.
I do have access to technology, but most of the time, it was not with the students I was teaching these content areas to. I went to the computer lab with sixth graders. This should have been ideal, but my understanding of what they were learning in content areas meant it was difficult to make it all connect. As a result, this time was often more test practice and isolated skill practice than it should have been.
I also have access to iPad carts that could be checked out and used within my classroom. This is what I need to incorporate. Do I do that by automatically thinking a day a week with them? I need to have them scheduled, so it can't be something that just randomly happens. That would be my ideal..... A student asks a question and the tool is there. We are moving to Bring Your Own Device. Yet, that does not seem to really work. I am sure that was a teacher "thing" and my comfort with so many different devices in the room and a fear of a child not understanding the task at hand. Or a fear of my not knowing how to guide them with a device that I was not familiar with. After all, they are ten and "need" a teacher. Not really! (I need to remember they are better versed at this than I am..... They are natives; I truly am an immigrant.) However, I do better know how to make sure that the tool is charged! Why is it that they know how to manipulate the thing, but forget to make sure that they have it fully charged? That might be my first goal-- gather enough chargers that I can make sure that they can charge their own device in the room. Just kidding, but hey, it is a start!
I need to start now, thinking about the plan. (Yet, I am not quite sure of what my schedule will be in the fall.) I want to be a part of the change for my students. I really think that I am the teacher that I am today because of innovative teachers in my life. We didn't have technology, but those teachers used every tool available to make what was going on in the classroom applicable and useful. Integrating the tools that I have and even learning to use some that I don't have at the moment, is necessary for my students to be the best they can be. Websites are a start, but student involvement in their own learning is going to be vital.
