Tech for Teachers X's and O's

In the several weeks, I have had to learn about 21st century learners.  I have come to realize that in essence we as teachers are becoming 21st century learners as well.  In taking this class, we are the learners and we have all learned strageties to becoming better teachers and learners.  For example, with the class we have learned how stragetize and plan activities that encourage 21st century skills.  Such as, creativity and leadership.  As well as, communication and problem solving. As a teacher, personally, I have learned that I will need to be mindful and careful in executing these strageties that encourage the use of these skills. Learning the use of and Interactive Whiteboard will greatly enchance my teaching abilities and my opportunities to become a teacher.  I have enjoyed all the lessons I have learned from the class and I look forward to using the various programs in my classroom. 21st century learners, welcome a 21st century teacher.

Interactive Whiteboards

As we have read in the two articles we were to read called, Teaching with Interactive Whiteboards and 2 Steps to Create Great Lessons with a SMART Board, we find that these interactive boards can lead great success in the classroom for students.  As one article stated, it help increase student learning curves by almost 16 percent.  This type of increase can only be contributed the increased student involvment in the classroom activities.  Thus leading to greater learning.  For many teachers, the use of whiteboards can be tricky if not well prepared or studied.  However, with the increased use of Whiteboards there are more and more places to access lessons.  In fact, many of the lesson are already pre-made and can be slightly adjusted to meet you curriculum or circumstances.  Unfortunately, as both articles have eluded to if not properly used can be detrimental to the student and the classroom.  So as teachers, we must be aware that the use of technology can be wonderful and exciting, but we must also proceed with caution.  As a future teacher, the idea of allowing students to use the boards in an interactive way seems almost like a dream.  Cause from my own personal experience as a student I found that some of the most boring times as a student were due to teachers who insisted that the only way to learn was from the lecture stand point.  Once again, the future is upon us, we can either choose to embrace it or die and move to the wayside by our old and antiquated ways.