My small group had the opportunity to enlighten 3 2nd graders for 25 mins. Our objective was around historical landmarks all over the world. We printed out images of these landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Great Pyramids, and The Colosseum.  The kid’s job was to draw the landmark on the iPad and import themselves into the picture then create a short story involving themselves and the landmarks. For example, What they would do there? who they would go with? This artifact illustrates engagement in the classroom, and how technology can transform your lesson plan for the better.

Mission Statement

The knowledge I have gained this semester, I will carry with me as an educator for the rest of my career. I came into this semester very nervous, and unsure of myself. I was proclaimed a  psychology major but never had an idea of what I would want to do with it. I always had an interest in education and working with kids, but couldn’t see myself working in the same classroom every day. This class has taught me skills that I can use, outside of the classroom setting, in a business meeting, or office communication, etc. The power of technology is everywhere, it’s inescapable. So, why not incorporate it into everyday life?

Technology is engagement, if you teach as if it was yesterday, then the kids are being robbed of tomorrow. As an educator, you have taken the responsibility to adapt, inform, and empower these young people. I say, “adapt” because of the fact that every child is different. No two kids learn the same. You have to adapt to there learning style and attention, in order for them to take in the information. Technology can give you the power to curve materials, to fit the needs of every student. You can have that one on one feeling when all of the kid’s attention is put on a screen, and not the entire classroom. A child is more likely to type out an unknown, unsure answer than yell it out in front of the class, due to the fear of being wrong. Technology gets rid of that fear altogether. The students are free in a way, that only the teacher is supervising their progress, not the entire class.  The students are able to feel good about themselves when they track their progress. The class isn’t expected to reach the same standard, this way every student has his/her own goals to achieve. It gives them there individually and helps them discover what makes them unique. Technology can help bring out their strengths and develop their weaknesses. Kids should create a sense of who they are at a young age.

Inform is used to educate. When you give a child the knowledge they need, they can take the world by storm.  An educated child could be our future president, astronaut, engineer, anything they can think of. The future of our country sits in these desks, it’s our job to mold them, and give them the knowledge to succeed.

These kids also need to be empowered. Technology can help, expand the horizon of the classroom and show them that there is so much more! Throw virtual reality you can go to Egypt or Paris. Youtube and other video platforms and help students visualize there learning. Google classroom and blackboard really open the pathway to communication, making it so easy to grade and communicate with students, even parents. Building up a child’s confidence would be one of my main goals as an educator. There is great power when you believe in yourself, you can become whatever you want to be.

Technology can inspire, empower, inform and help teachers adapt to any classroom. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn from this class. I can’t wait to put all I have learned into action. Thank You!

 

Pumped up!