My Beliefs

I don't know what I would do without my computer or cell phone these days and I know it's the same for my students. It seems that kids should be able to get through the day without such technologies because we all did when we were there age, but we have to face the facts...times are different! I've come to love and embrace the technologies. I think that students' learning can be greatly enhanced through the use of technology in the classroom and they can experience so much more than just listening to a lecture. Using technology to learn allows students to gain a wider range of knowledge and experience than they would otherwise get. I do believe however, that there is a time and a place for everything. Thus, there are times that cell phones should not be allowed in a classroom because students are not capable of deciding for themselves when to put it away and look at it later. Hence the reason why during a math lesson, students should not be texting (with my knowledge). I know this will happen and I can't control everything all the time.

I am glad that there are software programs that make learning some math concepts easier for the visual learners, such as drawings in 3-D and demonstrating the way to graph an oval. Also, technology is very useful for keeping parents informed and up to date with our current classroom status. Parents don't always have time to come and visit with the teacher and it can be very convenient for them to email the teacher and check in that way. The students can also keep track of things via the Internet and the teacher can send them messages to remind them about upcoming homework and tests.