1. Tech Past
My experiences with computers in the classroom were very infrequent and not really of much use. We didn't use computers in the classroom, we had a computer lab where we all went during our scheduled time. We learned how to look up books in the library and how to type. In the 4th Grade we played an Oregon Trail game in which we had to survive until the end that was very fun to play, but didn't teach us any computer related skills. My teachers always seemed very flustered when we were in the computer lab; they would frantically run from one corner of the room to the other trying to answer questions and not knowing how to explain the answers. It seemed like my classmates really enjoyed computer lab time, as did I, but we really didn't get too much out of it because the teachers were too busy trying to get everybody on the same page.
2. Tech Present
I am hoping to teach the 3rd-5th level of elementary education. I have thought of integrating technology into my lesson plans by using it to teach geography with interactive maps. We can play games where the children click on the right area of the map, and it could possibly tell them facts about the area we are studying. I also think the Voki could be great as well, as a teacher I could change what it says each morning. This would give the children directions for the day and giving them some variation from a person just standing in front of the room all day.
3. Tech Future
I think the most challenging thing about integrating technology into my classroom is going to be just getting to actually use it. Time seems to be the biggest issue for schools these days trying to schedule a block to get into a computer lab. I think having laptops for students would be awesome but with kids classes getting cut from education budgets, I really don't think that purchasing laptops is anywhere near the top of the list of things to do. If there were easier ways to get into a computer lab for longer periods of time then I think technology integration would be easier. I also think that if, as a teacher, I were able to spend more time with each individual student then it would be easier to teach them necessary, basic computer skills rather than just play games.
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Sienna - You raise many valid issues surrounding tech integration...I'd like to address the computer lab issue. Why not dismantle the lab and spread the computers out around the building? Each classroom could have a technology station with 4-5 computers and the students could rotate through the station while others are engaged in different ways (ex: centers). This model has its own challenges, but at least the computers would be accessible during the entire school day, rather than on a rigid schedule in a room far, far away. There is much debate about these two approaches to tech integration...can you tell which side I prefer?
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