Technology in Education; looking back and looking forward

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Wow! What a great experience. Though the ten weeks journey through technoloy was not easy for me but I have no regret. This class has really equipped me with many great technological tools to make me a better teacher ready to inspire and effectively facilitate children’s learning. This class has shaped my thoughts about technology. I used to think that technology is not something that young children need. At first, I thought technology in the classroom would be difficult for young children to use. But, it is really interactive, fun and they seem to enjoy the use of it. Students seem to understand the material better through its use of visuals manipulations. It brings into the classroom new ways of thinking, which is definitely a higher way of thinking. I have also realized that technology in the classroom allows the teacher to be more of a facilitator rather than a lecturer. This allows the students to investigate material on their own. Technology allows students to be in control of their own learning from any place and any time. Unlike before it was only in the classroom that the students can find the learning material. Technology provides students the ability to get the information they need anytime from anywhere, without being in the physical classroom under the presence of the teacher. In addition, technology in the classroom provides students media for self-expression. Before, students’ works were only seen in notebooks. Students today have access to variety for tools such as PowerPoint and prezi presentations, blogging, and so on to display their work. Although, technology is a great thing to have in have in the classroom, it must be used in moderation and also in the right way. From this class, I have learned that technology in the classroom has many valuable tools and resources that will help both teachers and students to effectively teach, learn, and make learning interactive and fun. Some tools and resources that I found cool and will use in my classroom are; wordle, blabberize, QR codes, glogster, popplet and prezi.