Can Technology be a Bad Thing

Why is technology still a class kids go to to learn to use a tool and not an integrated part of the lessons we teach?

   To understand this question we really have to take a deeper look into what goes on in our classrooms.  Do we have teachers that look at teaching as a chance to inspire and provoke learning from within the student or do we have teachers that see their classroom as a place to come and get the knowledge of their certain topic.  When teachers open up the possibilities of learning to any tool or resource that students have, you will see integration of technology naturally into the curriculum.

   So, why do we still have technology classes, I would say it is because we still think there are parts of technology that still needs to be taught or shown to our students.  Our core teachers are swamped with standards and objectives they must achieve that they can not naturally teach the technology tools that students will use in their lives.  We provide classes to teach word processing, photoshop, and business tools that could easily be integrated into English, History and Math.  

How can integrating technology into our teaching enrich instruction and help promote learning?

   If we would continue on with a shift in education by using technology rich environments to meet the  normal objectives.  We will see teachers stepping to the side to guide students through their curriculum.  This is hard to achieve, but with baby steps of changing small things in a classroom you will see students come into learning with an excitement and maybe even go beyond the objectives of past classrooms.  

  As the US looks at their educational system and integrate technology into the classrooms, I do think that we need to take a look at how other countries are being successful.  If we can use technology to create individualized and self paced learning environments for our students then we will have greater buy-in from teachers and will achieve at high levels on our standardized test that we will always have.  

  I would still say that the best technology use in a classroom is one that an outsider would possibly not even notice.  Technology should just be a part of the process.  The access to knowledge and resources that er given to students with devices or access to the Internet during class will be one of the many advantages.  

Presentation Design "Death by PowerPoint"

This week we began studying presentation design. I had no idea that when creating a presentation that you could do so much with so little.  I have come to realize that my use of images, bullets, themes and text have been so wrong.  I have sat through many presentations and do recall leaving the room either tired and board or excited and questioning what I just learned.

The readings and videos that I just finished, made me think.  Do I spend enough time preparing for a presentation?  I do believe that I am good in front of an audience, but I never really thought about what my visual aids or PowerPoint conveyed to the audience.  I know I was guilty of "Death by PowerPoint".

Here are some things that I can work on:

1. Less is More:  Be thoughtful about what I choose to put on the presentation
2. Focus Attention:  Place images, text and title in a way to keep the attention of my audience 
3. Take Time:  Brainstorm the old fashion way first.  Then develop a presentation to match what I'm going to speak about.
4. Be Creative:  As I look at the tips and good presentation, I feel that I could use some different visual aids to make my presentations so much better.  

As a teacher, I was guilty of putting every piece of information or script on my slides to show to my class.  Why was I even there.  I remember even pausing to give my students time to write down notes or important facts.  As I have moved into teaching or working with teachers, I see that I need to revisit how I present my materials.

Taking time to create something that will aid in my presentations will take me to the next level.  I hope that I can start to rethink my visual aids and hopefully keep my audience coming back for more.