Incorporating technology into the classroom sounds difficult.  It takes a lot of money for the equipment, specialists who know what they are doing, and teachers who understand how it works.  For many, this sounds all too difficult and it seems like it would be easier to stick to the mainstream teaching methods.  With high school drop out rates at a peak, something is obviously not working in the classroom.  

Dr. Tim Tyson, former principal of Mabry middle school did not see technology as a problem.  He used it with his students and the work these students have learned and accomplished has been astronomical.  These students are not only working on remedial classroom assignments, but are making videos.  They are finding interests are are taking those above and beyond what can be found in a normal classroom setting.  They are researching and experimenting for themselves.  They are excited to learn and excited to come to school. 

This excitement is what is missing from the normal classroom or classroom 1.0.  Many of the teachers teach the same material day in and day out.  The students are not allowed to explore the materials for themselves, and are often unmotivated to learn.  Dr. Tyson solved this problem by telling the kids that if they created phenominal projects, he would post them on the internet for the world to see.  This motivated the children to go above and beyond.  They took the classroom teaching and were able to apply it to something hands on…something physical.  The results of their hardwork are not just a pice of paper to tape to the refrigerator, but something that can be viewed, downloaded and shared.  It makes the work more worthwhile and gives the kids some excellent skills to use in the future.

Alright, the next class assignment was to experiment with different blog features.  Im supposed to write a blog using italics, bold, and other features.  I’m also supposed to add links to different sites and pictures.  So I will attempt to include pictures and links that have something to do with me.  Below is a picture that my best friend drew on paint one day when she was bored.  It is a picture of me as well as her and another friend of ours.  The first is an embedded link to another site of mine. 

www.myspace.com/ks_ths

this is where I go to school:

www.kennesaw.edu

this is a picture that my best friend did on paint one day when she was bored…lol

On the path to becoming a “great” teacher in today’s society several roads must be attempted.  One of these roads is the technological road.  Unfortunately for me, I am technologically challenged.  I do not understand a lot that happens, and I am still in the “I just figured out how to use word phase” of my education.  I was proud of myself for learning how to type, but in today’s society, it is crucial to learn how to navigate the internet.  It is a very useful tool, especially for use in the  classroom.  In school, I am required to take a class on technology in the language arts classroom.  I plan on becoming a high school literature teacher, and we are required to read a book called Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms written by Wil Richards.  This book is full of very useful information, and I am learning a lot in the class.  This blog is actually a result of what I am learning, so if it is not “amazing” thats my excuse.  The book is actually very well written.  So far I am enjoying reading it.  The first chapter in the book included a short history of the internet.  I had no idea that the worl wide web was such a recent occurence.  For as long as I can remember, I have had access to a computer, not that I knew how to use it.  Many other people, I am sure, have had access to thise technology also, and therefore the chapter explores the various reasons why it is important to use technology in the classroom.

The second chapter, works on introducing the weblog.  It is, in essence, a website.  Browsers who happen upon the weblog are introduced to a page with graphics, links and writings.  A weblog is different, though, in that it can be updated daily.  It is more personal.  This chapter explores the possibilities of using the blogging medium in a classroom.  Blogs can be used for learning in the classroom first and foremost.  Students can post their work online and get responses from people outside of the classroom.  It is a great way to present work to multiple people.  Additionally, it helps students to become familiar to the internet.  It is a crucial factor in the outside world and is becoming more and more prominent in the business and corporate world.  It’s a great way to keep track of the learning process.  Students can see the differences that they make in writing as they continue to post writings that they do.  Blogs also help students to become proficient in certain subjects.  Blogs are a great way to explore learning styles also.  In conclusion, blogs are a great medium to use in the classroom.  They offer a different environment for students to post  

I am writing this from a classroom.  It is an assignment to create a blog, and I have no idea what I’m doing.  I’m excited about this class though.  I know the things that I learn in this class will help me in my future as a teacher.  I can’t wait to see what happens this year.  Instead of general classes I finally get to take classes that are crucial to my major.  I am finally taking classes in the subjects that I love.  I don’t doze off in class anymore, because I am finally at the point where school is interesting.  I can’t wait to see what happens next so I’ll keep everyone posted.  Thank you for reading, and bear with me through my learning process.