Friday, July 13, 2012

Technology in Our School


How do you feel about the technology in our school?  

Some of you will say; we have an awesome computer lab, our teachers have laptops with projectors, we have come a long way in the past few years; I feel good.    Those of you who said that; I agree.  We've made great strides and we are coming along.   We are preparing (many of) our students to go across the street and be handed laptops in 7th grade and know how to work them.  As a computer teacher; that is my goal.  That they will be handed those computers and know exactly what to do with them and how to care for them and how to make the most of the awesomeness that is each student having their very own computer.  

Yet some of you will say; we need more.   We are behind.   We need technology in our students hands in the classrooms too!    And to those of you who say that; I also agree.   Once upon a time I believed we didn't need so much technology; and we shouldn't teach our children to rely so heavily on it.   While I still feel there is the need for the fundamentals WITHOUT technology; how to do long division on paper; how to write without spell check and how to do a hands on science experiment not watch a video of one; there is also a need to teach to the student.  

I find this video to be one that really makes you contemplate how you feel about teaching with technology.    The first time I saw it; my defenses came up but the second time I saw it I was much more open.    In my mind its just another piece of differentiated learning...Enjoy!

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Virtual Field Trips

As part of my ongoing education; I've been learning more about  the world of Virtual Field Trips.   This is something we are going to work on incorporating into our curriculum more this year.   When we have the ability to see and experience the world firsthand from our classroom; why wouldn't we do this?!

This past year we had our fifth graders take a virtual field trip to Ellis Island via Scholastic.   It was very informative and we enjoyed it.   How fun that we could experience New York right from our classroom.  After briefly talking about the video, we left the topic and did not do any more activities.     I'm hoping this year to do a few more virtual field trips that will include some follow up activities that will tie in with both my technology curriculum and hopefully some of the classroom curriculum as well.  By doing this my hope is the field trip will be more enriching.          

While we will be able to go MANY places virtually that we wouldn't otherwise go I'm afraid not everything is possible; as we have to be able to find the content.   That said; if its possible; where would YOU like to visit from the comforts of our classroom?

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Why Divine Doings....

Here is a little space for us to reach from our classroom to your home!   Keep up on some of our classroom projects.    See some of our great students and their awesome work.   Come here for some ideas on bringing our curriculum into your home.   Read about our latest thoughts.  

In essence; its your computer teachers "Classroom Newsletter" coming to you via the internet....so come check out what our DIVINE Mercy Students are DOING!