Thursday, September 01, 2016

Blog Post 1

My Philosophy of Education

     I want to teach because I believe children are the greatest assets to our society. As a teacher, I want to help students become good citizens and to develop a love of learning.
     I plan to have a classroom where all students feel safe, welcome, and represented. I think it is important to recognize that students come from all types of families, homes, and backgrounds. The classroom should represent the diversity of all the students. Whatever the race, religion, gender, ability, family make-up, or socio-economic status of students, I will accept all students and do my best to meet them where they are and teach them in the way they learn best. I believe that communication and a willingness to understand is the best way to help students with their unique differences. 
     I believe that education should be as student-centered as possible. I want my students to enjoy learning and have the ability to investigate and engage with topics that are meaningful to them. I do not want my classroom to be a place where students memorize random, isolated, personally irrelevant facts that are promptly forgotten. I will teach what is deemed necessary by the standards, but encourage my students to delve into the topics that they find particularly interesting. Students will have time to pursue their interests. 
     Lastly, I believe that I will learn as much from my students as they will learn from me. Everyone comes to a classroom with unique experiences and personalities. I can learn about their families and their passions and all sorts of randomness I may not have known before. I can learn which strategies work best and what activities my students like. I can learn how to be a better teacher from my students. I cannot wait to be a teacher and learn and grown right along with my students!

Experiences Using Technology

     I’d say I have quite a bit of experience using technology, especially computer related technology. I am rather proficient on both Windows and Mac. I have been using Microsoft Office technology for over 10 years and have adapted to the programs as it grew. I can find my way around Word, PowerPoint, and Excel with ease. Using the GoogleDoc equivalents is also quite easy for me. I can get around the internet easily and I am a pro Googler. I understand how to use phones and tablets, mainly the Apple ones, but I can figure out others. I am also familiar with the basic operations of most cameras, TVs, and DVD/Bluray players. I do not know very much about any sort of gaming systems, such as Xbox or PlayStation. I have some experience with things like Elmo, SmartBoard, and other projectors, having occasionally used them before in classrooms. 3D Printers are completely new to me and I have no idea how to use those, but I am looking forward to learning.

Technology Integration

     To me, technology integration means adding technology into the classroom experience. Considering how prevalent technology is now, I cannot image a classroom that does not have technology integrated, at least to some degree. I think having students use technology in any form is how it can be integrated. A few examples of technology integration: Allowing students to type an assignment instead or handwriting it, having apps on tablets for reading games and practice, or allowing students to work out geometry problems on a SmartBoard.

Technology in Future Classroom

     I will definitely be using technology in my classroom. Students will be surrounded by technology in every other aspect of their lives, why shouldn’t they be in the classroom as well? If they have access to technology outside the classroom it would be beneficial for them to learn how to use the technology in an educational manner. In this day of information, I want my students to be able to find what they are looking for, whether by searching the books in the classroom or by searching the Internet. If I have access to computers and tablets, I want my students to learn how to access both because a lot of benefits can be gained. Not only will students learn how to use the technology for the technologies sake, but also they can use the tech to practice and learn other academic skills.



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