Andrew_Stevens_web20

As an educator, it is important to incorporate new things in order to enhance your classroom. I feel that with the amount of technology out there for our students at their homes, we have to find a way to use various tools in the classroom to help keep them engaged in instruction. The old ways of using textbooks and pencil/paper still has its need in the classroom, but I feel that with technology students do not get bored as quickly.

I know that in HCPS, many sites are blocked for various reasons and certain technology is forbidden in the classrooms, especially at the Elementary Level. Many students want to bring their itouches, cell phones, etc, but they are not allowed according to the code of conduct. For my students who don't like certain subjects, I feel that if there was a way to utilize these resources in the classroom we could get them to like these subjects more.

I think that in order to use these tools in the classroom, there would need to be constant training and reminders for teachers, especially the old school ones. Students have the upper hand with most of this technology and it will be the job of the teachers and administrators to remain on top of their game in order for it to work. I feel that using many of the web 2.0 tools in the classroom would enhance instruction and allow the students to have more of a buy-in to the material that they are required to learn.