Final Blog

What does it mean to be an educator in the 21st century? Specifically address the role you believe technology can and should play in the teaching and learning process. This should be around 500 words. Please think about organization and presenting a thesis statement which you support.



As I have stated my earlier blog entry, I believe that it is important for 21st century teachers to know how to use technology. Not only should they know how to use technology, they should know how to use it effectively. This means that every teacher who has the knowledge of technology should share this with their students.
Technology does not have to be limited to the computer. Yes, the computer is a very important tool that all teachers should have (and use) in their classrooms, but there are other just as important and useful technological tools. There is also the SmartBoard, the overhead, and the television. The overhead and the television are not nearly as new as the SmartBoard, but they still help effectively teach students using technology. The SmartBoard, though expensive, is an extremely useful tool. You can touch the SmartBoard using special pens. You can easily navigate and interact with websites and programs installed on your computer. A must have for all teachers who are unable to use a SmartBoard is the Wii remote concoction. You can find more information on this by reading my previous blog about the ACTEM conference.
Technology can help students who are struggling by providing interactive games to play or creating a visual for them to look at. Using an overhead allows you to face your entire class instead of having your back turned away while writing on the board. An overhead is small and convenient whereas a board you constantly have to erase one thing to write another.
Computer can be used to have students create their own blogs. Blogs are very useful when students are practicing typing skills, grammar, and mechanics. They feel prideful when they can physically see their work posted on the internet.
Computer can be used to connect with classrooms across the state, country, or even world. This was discovered in my Computers in the Classroom class. By talking with students from Cyprus, we learned what teaching was like in a different country! We were also able to learn what second graders were up to in Canada. Computers can be used to connect students with the outside world without even leaving your classroom!
Computers and technology in general, are not only used for the benefit of students. Teachers as well can learn from technology. It can also make their lives easier by creating WebQuests where students can use the computers to complete assignments. It gives the teacher a break from making photocopies and the students get to use the computer, which is always a hit.
21st century teachers need to find the quickest and most useful ways to get things done while still effectively teaching. This is what technology is for. It is like having a personal helper with you at all times.
Technology is like good news, when you have it; you want to share it with everybody. When we use technology properly it can ease our stresses, add fun to our classrooms, and teach us many new things never dreamt possible with earlier generations.