Student Teaching Journal

I like lists, so I’m going to make four of them.

Pet peeves about technology in classrooms:

1. PowerPoint. I was so sick of PowerPoint presentations by the time I got to college. In fact, I avoid PowerPoints whenever I can now. My impression of teachers who use PowerPoint: “I’m supposed to incorporate technology. What about that slide show thing that I’ve seen people do?” Uggggh. I’d rather go back to old fashioned poster board and markers!
2. When teachers ask students to email them assignments when they don’t know how to check their email and/or download attachments.
3. Seeing a teacher’s folders (or lack thereof) and seeing complete disorganization.
4. When teachers avoid technology altogether because “they can’t keep up.”

What I love about technology in the classroom:

1. Seeing teachers who know what they’re doing with a computer. It shows they care about their students and the future enough to keep learning themselves!
2. I had a math teacher once who did every problem he assigned and uploaded his solutions online so we could correct our mistakes. VERY helpful.
3. Discussion boards: I directed a high school play this fall and we had a discussion board that kept us in direct contact with the playwright. Everyone helped each other with acting decisions, shared new discoveries, and put new ideas out in the open.

How I could use technology in my music classroom:

1. From what I hear, SmartBoards are amazing for music. Maybe someday I’d be lucky enough to have one!
2. Music websites and software for theory, composing, history, and more.
3. Upload rehearsals and concerts for students to listen to and learn from.
4. Upload recordings of songs in our repertoire.

How I could use technology in my mathematics classroom:

1. Many informational math websites
2. Many websites with mathematical games
3. Math software (i.e. Geometer’s Sketchpad)
4. Upload problem solutions

Of course, much more could be added to each list, but those are my initial thoughts. Maybe I will add on to them throughout the semester.

Filed by emstrazz at 10:19 pm under ED483
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