Can You Hear Me Now? Week 6 Blog

This week was again very challenging for me. Keeping track of all the new accounts I've created and all the passwords is a challenge in itself. I have to keep a page of notes on my iphone containing all this information, otherwise I couldn't keep track of it all. I keep having to refer to "The List" every time I go to a different website or have to complete another assignment. I feel like I'm spread out very thin with all of this.

So, all of this new technology and ways to incorporate new technologies, will have a tremendous impact on the classroom, not only for the students, but for the teacher as well. Whatever changes for the students, is also a change for the teacher. Teachers will be learning along with students, and will almost definitely be learning from the students. Many students will be aware of blogs, and skype, and podcasts. Some students will be old pros at this. Teachers should take advantage of this expertise and not be afraid to "hand over the reins" at certain times.

New technology also requires a lot of staff development and a lot of money as well. Some schools in Dallas ISD do not have enough computers. Many of the pcs are old and very slow. Many classrooms in portables do not have internet access at all. This is definitely a hindrance to incorporating these new technologies we are learning about. My library has gotten a few new computers this year. These computers are very fast, but once they hit our server they slow down because there is not enough bandwidth. You may have a Ferrari, but in heavy traffic it can't go fast at all.

If I had a magic wand, I would make sure each student had a laptop. There would be adequate bandwidth on our server for speedy surfing of the internet. And lastly, I would make fear of new technology disappear, especially for teachers!!