Do you feel you were well-prepared in your teacher education program to address the many ways technology impact education? Do you think our school division offers sufficient technology support / professional development?
My teacher education program did little to prepare me for using technology in the classroom. I feel our school division offers many opportunities for professional development...I am currently taking a weekly SmartBoard class (offered free of charge to CCPS employees) giving me college credit while being offered at one of our local schools (FGES). Otherwise, most of my tech questions and concerns have been answered by colleagues at my school.
When I graduated, technology wasn't as advanced as it is today. I believe all we "learned" to do was use word processing. I do think that our shcool division does an excellent job of providing support and professional development.
When I graduated college I had classes in technology but so much was thrown at you that you couldn't master everything. I have found that my school system does supply us with a variety of items like computers in the classroom, Smartboard, Intergrade pro, and now Powerschool and though I do take advantage of these tools, and try to incorporate them into my lessons on a daily basis, you can never get enough training.
I have participated in technology courses offered by the county throughout the years. I find them helpful and learn a lot. However, little follow up is offered and I tend to lose what I don't use.
Like everyone else, I too was offered technology courses through the teacher ed program at college. These classes did little more than skim the surface of using technology in classrooms. I do use the technology we have available on a daily basis. My SmartBoard is irreplacable. The things I have learned about incorporating technology into my lessons have been learned on a trial and error basis or because of the help of a colleague.
No but then I got my degree 100 years ago. However since then I have had many opportunities to receive technology training. The problem is that technology changes faster than the ordinary person can keep up!
I agree with Pat about technology changing so quickly. I think I was taught what was current at the time in my teacher Ed program, but technology has changed so much in the last few years that it's a struggle to keep up! Look what they've done with cell phones in the last ten years!
I've actually heard presentations about utilizing cell phones in instruction. I believe the rationale behind this thinking is "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em." With so many students having cell phones now it would make sense to put them to good use, but I'm not yet sure if I'm completely sold on this idea or not.
Technology changes so quickly and our funding is so slow that it is hard for any school district to keep up! I learned what was available at the time in my Teacher Education Program, but many things have changed since then. Most of my training has come from trial and error and my own pursuit of incorporating it into my lessons to grab the attention of my students. The only problem I see is that they are now starting to tune out the technology that I'm using. (Or so it seems to me.) It is so hard to grab and KEEP their attention. The county has given us opportunities to learn what is out there, but with limited time, it's hard to manage to fit it in.
Do you feel you were well-prepared in your teacher education program to address the many ways technology impact education? Do you think our school division offers sufficient technology support / professional development?
ReplyDeleteMy teacher education program did little to prepare me for using technology in the classroom. I feel our school division offers many opportunities for professional development...I am currently taking a weekly SmartBoard class (offered free of charge to CCPS employees) giving me college credit while being offered at one of our local schools (FGES). Otherwise, most of my tech questions and concerns have been answered by colleagues at my school.
ReplyDeleteWhen I graduated, technology wasn't as advanced as it is today. I believe all we "learned" to do was use word processing. I do think that our shcool division does an excellent job of providing support and professional development.
ReplyDeleteWhen I graduated college I had classes in technology but so much was thrown at you that you couldn't master everything. I have found that my school system does supply us with a variety of items like computers in the classroom, Smartboard, Intergrade pro, and now Powerschool and though I do take advantage of these tools, and try to incorporate them into my lessons on a daily basis, you can never get enough training.
ReplyDeleteI have participated in technology courses offered by the county throughout the years. I find them helpful and learn a lot. However, little follow up is offered and I tend to lose what I don't use.
ReplyDeleteCaroline Lam
Like everyone else, I too was offered technology courses through the teacher ed program at college. These classes did little more than skim the surface of using technology in classrooms. I do use the technology we have available on a daily basis. My SmartBoard is irreplacable. The things I have learned about incorporating technology into my lessons have been learned on a trial and error basis or because of the help of a colleague.
ReplyDeleteNo but then I got my degree 100 years ago. However since then I have had many opportunities to receive technology training. The problem is that technology changes faster than the ordinary person can keep up!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Pat about technology changing so quickly. I think I was taught what was current at the time in my teacher Ed program, but technology has changed so much in the last few years that it's a struggle to keep up! Look what they've done with cell phones in the last ten years!
ReplyDeleteI've actually heard presentations about utilizing cell phones in instruction. I believe the rationale behind this thinking is "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em." With so many students having cell phones now it would make sense to put them to good use, but I'm not yet sure if I'm completely sold on this idea or not.
ReplyDeleteTechnology changes so quickly and our funding is so slow that it is hard for any school district to keep up! I learned what was available at the time in my Teacher Education Program, but many things have changed since then. Most of my training has come from trial and error and my own pursuit of incorporating it into my lessons to grab the attention of my students. The only problem I see is that they are now starting to tune out the technology that I'm using. (Or so it seems to me.) It is so hard to grab and KEEP their attention. The county has given us opportunities to learn what is out there, but with limited time, it's hard to manage to fit it in.
ReplyDelete