INTASC Principle 6: Communication and Technology and INTASC Principle 5: Motivation and Management

INTASC Principle 6: Communication and Technology and INTASC Principle 5: Motivation and Management

One of the subjects that I was most interested in throughout my graduate career was the use of technology in the classroom. I was able to take many classes that not only incorporated the use of technology in the classroom, but also taught me how technology, when implemented correctly, can foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.

One of the first classes I took at NCSU was ECI 509, which focused on the use of technology in the classroom. This class itself incorporated technology, as it was an online course. The class allowed me to have an understanding for why teachers choose to use or not to use technology in their classes. I found that access to technology, ability to use technology effectively, and ability to use technology along with appropriate content was often difficult for teachers to accomplish.

Also in this class I reported on the use of media streaming by doing a technology show-and-tell PowerPoint. I was very interested in media streaming and what impact it could have on learning and teaching. After completing the project I was happy to find out the media streaming has been found to be beneficial to students, and I hope that it becomes more mainstream in all levels of classrooms.

http://www.docstoc.com/Docs/444260/Streaming

In ECI 501, Foundations of Curriculum, one of the projects I had to complete was researching what influence technology had on curriculum and education. The project walked through the history of technology in the classroom, what technology curriculum included, why technology was so important, how to enhance student achievement by using technology and examples of technological mediums that could be used in the classroom.

http://www.docstoc.com/Docs/444284/Technology%20Powerpoint

Another class I took that incorporated the use of technology in the classroom was ECI 525, Contemporary Approached to Teaching Social Studies. This class gave me an understanding of new and effective ideas for teaching social studies. I actually incorporated many things I learned in the class into my student teaching experience. Throughout the class we researched and reported on the use of educational games in the classroom. After I began my student teaching experience I wanted to find a way to include contemporary teaching methods in my classroom. I remembered a colleague reporting on the use of The Political Machine, an educational game, in his Civics and Economics class. I ended up using the game to reinforce ideas the students learned about in class, such as the Electoral College, political interest groups, campaigning, and voting. I gave them an opportunity to write about their game play experience. I was pleased with the things the students learned and happy that the students enjoyed playing the game in class. After introducing the game to the students, many students came to class asking “When are we going to play the game again?” or “Where are we traveling to today?” I believe that the implementation of the Political Machine game increased student motivation and their willingness to learn.

http://www.docstoc.com/Docs/447865/%20%20game%20review%202

The use of technology in the classroom is a topic that I have become very interested in during my graduate career. I feel that technology in classroom is great resource that can assist students and help increase motivation. I’m glad that my graduate career and student teaching experience have taught me how to use technology effectively, and I hope that as I grow professionally I can continue to use different forms of technology in the classroom.