Week 2

Defining educational technology was kind of hard for me to do. Before this week, I never really thought about educational technology. I knew that technology was becoming a major component in the world of education, but I never thought about defining it. To me, educational technology is any technology that is used to teach.

When I was in school, we had two or three computers in our classroom but we didn't get on them a lot. We listened to stories on cassette and used calculator, but those things are nothing compared to the technology we have in our classrooms now. Today, every classroom in my district has at least three computers, and every one has access to the internet. We still have stories on cassette but now we are able to view and listen to them on the computer or screen as actor/actresses read them aloud.

We also have interactive smart boards that we use every single day from taking attendance to teaching lessons. Students are able to utilize every single type of technology that we have in our classrooms. As I stated in my philosophy, technology is an important part of our world inside and outside of the classroom. Sometimes, the students know more about technology than the teacher does and are able to teach them something. No matter how old we are, it is never to late to learn because technology is always changing. It is up to us, as educators, to learn all that we can in order to make sure that we are educating our students to the best of our abilities.

As an education, I try my best to let my students know that I care about them and that I want what's best for them and their futures. I try to teach them that their actions/behaviors, and their attitudes towards learning affect their futures. I try to stay positive and not show my students andy negativity because for some students, negativity is all that they see and hear. I do my best to encourage my students everyday and every chance I get. To me, education shoud be student centered instead of teacher centered. Although teacher centered would be easier for me and other teachers, but it is not what's best for the students.

I teacher because I enjoy working with kids. I like to see the excitement on their faces when they learn something new. It's a joy watching them grow and change throughout the year and over the years. Sometimes, a teacher is the only positive role model in some student's lives. I feel like having that person in their lives can/will have a positive affect on the student's lives and in their future. I teach the way I do because I believe taht all students can learn. I want them to enjoy learning and to have a positive attitude about education and their furture.

I am not sure as of yet if my career path will include a degree in technology. Hopefully this class will help me in my decision. I know that technology is our future, and that in my profession it is very important. Technology is important in schools because it outside of school, it occupies the majority of our students lives (computers, ipods, video games, etc.).