Thoughts

For the last five years I have been a paraeducator and recently left that job when I increased my school workload, and opted instead to become a substitute teacher. In addition to being a substitute, I also run an afterschool program for 4th and 5th graders, helping them with their homework every Wednesday afternoon.

When I was working, technology was and still is a very big part of the school. Each 5th-8th grade classroom has laptops for each student to use. SmartBoards are evident in all of the 4th and 5th grade classrooms AND the use of document cameras are used extensively by all of the teachers. Technology and the parameters outlined in your blog make total sense to me;however, it must be implemented and supported by everyone on the school campus. It is a shame to have all of the great technology at your fingertips but not use it to its full potential. Inconsistent use and methodology are two areas that stand out to me from your list as to what does not happen on a regular basis. I find that teachers not familiar nor comfortable with technology do not embrace it and thus it goes to waste.

The importance of on-going training, support and personal development is key to the success of technology implementation and use. Teachers must see the value and understand how to use technology to get the most out of their students. Educators can't use technology as a babysitter and must continue to be involved in teaching.
This is an area of extreme balance and where training and development are crucial. School districts must have the resources;however, in these tough economic times, technology, unfortunately may go by the wayside. We must continue to push the limits and look for web-based solutions. We, as future educators, must learn all of the tools and be open-minded in their use in our classrooms. We must keep our students engaged and enthusiastic and I believe the technology can help us if used properly.