This is the first class that I have taken towards my masters degree and what a great class to start out with. It has opened up a new world of teaching for me. I have always focused my lesson plans around student centered learning but opening up teaching to technology takes that to a whole new level. It opens up so many more opportunities for interactive lesson planning than traditional teaching. Another thing that I noticed the other night while I was using an old lesson to create an improved lesson using technology is that the materials list becomes much smaller with the use of technology. Rather than a list of crayons, paper, glue sticks and so on, I now had 2 materials on my list, computers and internet service. When schools consider the cost of investing in technology it would also be helpful for them to consider the expenses they may be reducing or eliminating which may help to justify the expense of the technology.
I am very interested in learning how to post podcasts. I think that this is a very powerful tool to allow students to enhance their learning experience by sharing it with others. I would love to learn more about this topic.
I wholeheartedly agree with you on how technology opens up many more options. As far as your materials list, do you think it is easyer to summon up 25 computers for the students to use compared to one class sized box of markers? I know that alot of schools make teachers buy their own supplies. A friend of mine teaches 9th grade and her school provided supplies consisted of two packs of lined paper and one, yes one, pack of pencils. Needless to say, these things don't last. My concerns are that since the schools can't fund the most essential materials, how could they fund enough computers that are needed to abolish these basic supplies?
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