Educational Technology Philosophy
As I am about to embark on a teaching career in the twenty first century, I recognize that our world is literally being transformed by technology. My students will not only be fluent with all forms of technology, but will expect it to be used in their classes, as it is in all other areas of their lives. And as a teacher, I also believe that it is important that I incorporate technology into lessons and classroom activities. Using technology will both engage students in the content and give them the tools they need to effectively use it in their own academic and career paths.
Technology can be used in the math classroom in a variety of ways, from helping students to organize their notes and study for tests, to enhancing their understanding of mathematical concepts. In my own practice, I plan on using WebQuests, Google Documents, and Movie Maker to create lessons that require students to become active learners and thoughtful teachers. When students learn how to use the plethora of technological resources available to find information and teach it to their classmates, they not only strengthen their understanding of the content, they also learn critical thinking skills. Another way that technology can be used to foster a community of learners is by utilizing this very website to involve parents, keep students up to date on work, and provide an area for communication about the class or homework problems. It has always been known that students have a better chance at academic success when the teachers, students, parents and communities work together, and I hope this site is a step toward this ideal.
However, I am a firm believer that the use technology will never replace well-designed and effective lessons. Students will not learn from technology if it is merely used as a tool to replace actual teaching. I will put my full effort into creating lessons that I know will reach my students, scaffold their learning, and deepen their understandings. At the same time, I will search for ways that I can incorporate technology into my lessons in a meaningful way. As I enter my teaching career, I will continually seek to improve my own fluency and knowledge of current technologies in order to engage students, supplement learning and show them how to be effective users of technology.
Technology can be used in the math classroom in a variety of ways, from helping students to organize their notes and study for tests, to enhancing their understanding of mathematical concepts. In my own practice, I plan on using WebQuests, Google Documents, and Movie Maker to create lessons that require students to become active learners and thoughtful teachers. When students learn how to use the plethora of technological resources available to find information and teach it to their classmates, they not only strengthen their understanding of the content, they also learn critical thinking skills. Another way that technology can be used to foster a community of learners is by utilizing this very website to involve parents, keep students up to date on work, and provide an area for communication about the class or homework problems. It has always been known that students have a better chance at academic success when the teachers, students, parents and communities work together, and I hope this site is a step toward this ideal.
However, I am a firm believer that the use technology will never replace well-designed and effective lessons. Students will not learn from technology if it is merely used as a tool to replace actual teaching. I will put my full effort into creating lessons that I know will reach my students, scaffold their learning, and deepen their understandings. At the same time, I will search for ways that I can incorporate technology into my lessons in a meaningful way. As I enter my teaching career, I will continually seek to improve my own fluency and knowledge of current technologies in order to engage students, supplement learning and show them how to be effective users of technology.