Reflective Paper

During the course of this class, I have learned that educational technology has changed leaps and bounds since I graduated from college ten years ago. The internet was just getting introduced at that time, and I remember the excitement of searching on the web for information related to my lesson plans. In my teaching experience, I have had computers in some of my classrooms and have had no computers in others. In the ones where computers were available, they were mainly used for educational math and reading games as reinforcement for the children. There were computer labs at two of the schools where I have taught, but again, they were mainly used for computer games. As computer technology grows more advanced every day, it is imperative that today's students are taught how to use that technology. It is also imperative that today's teachers are taught how to use it, as well.
Right now, I do not have a computer in my classroom. However, I teach first grade. It would be nice to have one, but I do not believe it is essential for that age like it would be for older students. When today's high schoolers graduate, they are going to be expected to use technology in any field in which they choose to build a career. Therefore, it is important for teachers in older grades to both model and teach some of the uses.
Admittedly, it is going to be a challenge for me to put many of the skills I have learned into practice. I teach at a classical school where the emphasis in the lower elementary grades is on acquiring facts and knowledge. Our classroom time is critical, and every minute must be used towards this goal. There is no "extra" time (like I have had in other teaching situations) for the students to explore on the computer. Not having a computer at school could hinder my implementation of many of the things I've learned. However, I do hope to use some of my new skills in other ways. For example, I now know how to average my grades with the simple click of a button on Excel. I also know how to do Power Point, which could be a way for me to serve at church or create interesting presentations for parents, faculty, or students. I have learned how to create progress report using Word and Excel that will save tons of preparation time. In addition to these skills, I have been introduced to webquests, united streaming, and various other education websites that I may have otherwise never come across.
One of the greatest things I will take away from this course is that I no longer have to be "afraid" of technology. Computers do not interest me; I will be honest. As a result, I find it hard to get motivated to learn new skills on the computer when I can continue to do things the "old fashioned way" and get by just fine. But through being forced to learn and explore this technology, I have learned that anyone can do it.
I would say that this course has improved my skills as a thinker. I say this because it does take a certain level of understanding to navigate your way through the files and folders in a computer. Creating formulas in Excel has obviously improved my thinking skills, as well. This course has taught me how to use the tools that are available (on various programs that we have used) to figure out a program's use. The area I still need the most improvement on would probably be in the area of working with movies, sounds, video clips, etc.
I do find this course an extremely beneficial one for teachers. I wish this had been something I took before I graduated and entered the teaching field. However, the technology was not there back then! Or if it was, its use certainly was not as widespread. Students in the Teacher Education Program are fortunate to get this kind of training. They say it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks, and that can be true. But this "old dog" has definitely learned a thing or two.