Throughout the MDL4000 course, I have thought a lot about how I would incorporate technology into my classroom. I still believe that students learn a lot from reading a book and doing pencil and paper work, but reality is life is evolving and so is the technological world around us, and the students we teacher and following right along. We need to teach students in a way in which they will learn and understand, and today, technology proves to have a vast importance on a students learning ability and the various things technology alone allows one student to be able to do. Obviously, if school budget allows, it would be amazing and incredibly beneficial for each student to be able to have access to an electronic device, especially for those students who tend to be done work early - they can log on to their iPad and play many educational games, or explore what the media world has to offer. There are so many educational apps and apps that aid in student learning that the list is literally endless and a student will always have a new tool or app they can explore!
Here is a link to the most popular education apps that can be used on the iPad and are ideal for use in the classroom and at home.
http://www.edudemic.com/best-education-technology/the-best-education-apps-ios/
A SmartBoard is another tool I would love to have in my classroom. I did not know a lot about the SmartBoard, when I was finishing High School they were just being introduced to the schools. After doing my first practicum, I could not believe how heavily relied upon these technological devices are to the classroom! I was blown away at the endless amount of things the SmartBoard can be used for and how excited the students got when they were asked to come sit on the carpet in front of the Smart Board. I would lay out my classroom with a nice cozy carpet with the Smart Board in front, but also position it in a way that if we were doing desk work, we could still make use of the SmartBoard. I feel that now a days, this is a common thing to find in the classroom as most classrooms are equipped with SmartBoards.
Once the teacher and students have access to technology in the classroom, there are limitless things that can be done with it to enhance learning. For example, I would introduce my students to blogging using different resources, and even Social Media sites like Twitter. We could have a class feed that all students and parents can access to keep everybody informed of what is going on in the classroom and friendly reminders. It allows for the class to view videos related to topics being learned, and allows for students to explore the media world in their own hands.
As I have mentioned many times, technology allows for us to explore the 21st century and enhance the learning of the students we teach. It's a fact that the world around us keeps evolving, and as it does that it is up to use (as teachers) to evolve with it, even if it means learning more about the uses of technology in the classroom if it means improving the learning abilities and outcomes of our students.