Technology+in+My+Classroom

//The following section is my reply to focus question 4 and will be removed prior to the use of my classroom management system.//

Using technology in the classroom will not only increase the students’ interest in the learning process and the content, but also allow me to differentiate instruction and assessment. However technology should never be used in instruction for the sake of having done so. It should always have a clear and meaningful purpose. Technology will be integrated throughout my lessons so that it enhances the learning process by going beyond what could be done without technology. It will increase the depth of their understanding and help present several perspectives of a topic.

By using technology that students are using at home, such as the internet or video games, I will be able to increase their motivation and engage them in the content. The simulations will be very similar to their video games and the websites are something students already know how to navigate. Because the resources are so familiar, it shows the students that they can use their own technology in their free time to learn about subjects that interest them.

When students use technology to learn, it usually removes the teacher from relaying information and facts to the students. In other words, they are not pushing the content on them. Instead they have to find the information through research and piece the facts together with guidance from the teacher. In this process, they are pulling the information to themselves. When they are looking for the information, the students are engaged with the content and lesson and they can continue the research by themselves at home.



__Technology in My Classroom__ In my classroom, the students will be using technology often during the lessons. The resources availabe to students through technology enhance the learning beyond what is has been in the past. Technology will increase their multicultural undestanding and extend their learning beyond the classroom. Only technology that will benefit the instruction will be used. Technology will not be implemented simply for the sake of using technology. All resources will have a purpose and be meaningful to the students' instruction. It also allows the teacher to differentiate the content and learning process and the students will have more avenues for assessment. The world is constantly changing and I will help the students develop the skills they need to keep up.

Technology in the social studies classroom will help the students develop skills to particpate as a good citizen. It will encourage inquiry and perspective taking. It also facilitates civic learning. It will support the development of students' personal civic beliefs, ties to the world, and their awareness of past, present, and future. (Source: [])

Websites: Websites will be used in lectures and in research assignments. This kind of learning engages the students because instead of the teacher pushing the information on them, they are required to pull the information out form themselves using the same technology they use at home and are familiar with. It makes the process more interesting for the students because they become involved and engaged with the content. The students will be instructed on __internet safety__ and proper ways to interact with websites. Parents should be aware that the school's servor blocks inappropriate content.

Interactive Simulations: Students will do simulations for certain topics. They will increse the depth of understanding by putting the student in the specific situation as much as possible. This also presents the students with the idea that they can play with simulations outside of the classroom because they use the same technology that they have at home.

Listed below are some websites I plan to use in the class to provide an idea of what your student will be doing. CIA World Factbook: []

National Geographic Education Page: []

The White House: []

Playing History: []