Coming to the end of my technology course...

The first summer session is coming to a close, so I am sitting here reflecting on what I have learned. Throughout this class, I struggled with how much is too much when it comes to technology. To be honest, I haven't found an answer. I think it is a personal choice. While I don't think it is a good thing to go completely "techie" with one's students, I also feel that we can't be stuck back in the days when it was simply a teacher and a chalkboard (although most people have whiteboards now). At the beginning of this course, I felt that I was pretty techologically savvy. I was using computers in my classes and everything was going fine. This class showed me that there is SOOOOOOOOOOOO much more out there. The problem that I continue to face, however, is that I don't just teach the "Net" generation; I teach continuing ed students who are not very computer literate. This puts me at a slight disadvantage in regards to incorporating new technologies. This is not to say that I won't try. It's just going to be more difficult. However, here are some of the things that I learned about that I can definitely see incorporating as early as next semester:

Google Docs
Blogs
Screencast-o-matic
Web 2.0 tools that I have mentioned in previous entries

I already use Angel (a course management software) as well as MathXL (an interactive online math software). Angel allows me to post documents, links, and assignments for the students to access 24/7. It basically takes the place of me having a webpage (although I am not opposed to incorporating one of those either - here's the one I created for this class). MathXL is wonderful for assigning homework for students because they can get immediate feedback and it provides time on task. One can also assign quizzes using MathXL that students can take on their own time and the settings are completely at the discretion of the teacher (how many times to allow students to take it, will they have a time limit, etc.). Both of these tools have proven to be extremely useful and beneficial. But, technology evolves so rapidly and students are using it so extensively in their everyday lives, that this just isn't enough anymore.

I would like to say though that no one has to go crazy integrating technology in their classroom. Ease into it, for the sake of your students' sanity and your own. If you don't feel comfortable with it, they may not feel comfortable with it. It is a myth that they will just know how to use it. Yes, they see it all the time, but have they ever seen it in academia? That is a whole different ball game.

There is a learning curve to incorporating technology and it's slope depends on the individual. Know yourself and start small. Here is an article that may help: http://teachingtechnology.suite101.com/article.cfm/7_technology_tips_for_the_classroom