Technology Integration Plan (TIP)

Chapter 2 covered lots of material, I was especially interested in Technology Integration Planning (TIP). TIP is a helpful way to integrating technology into the classroom. I like how it has 5 phases. Many times technology is a bit overwhelming for me so implementimg in steps would be very helpful. In the 1st phase teachers should look at their problems and try to find technology-based solutions. This is called relative advantage. I found this very pleasing because it motivates me to know their is a solution to every problem even if it doesn't seem like one. The 2nd phase focuses on objectives and assessments. This phase would help me plan properly and set goals for my lessons. In the 3rd phase one should decide on ways to integrate technology. This phase helps me decide what my student's need and how to help them. Phase 4 makes sure that the proper set up for technology integration is available in the classroom. This phase helps me to make sure that I have set up the proper learning environment in my classroom. In phase 5 one should collect data and find things that they can improve on. This phase is great for helping me reflect on the positive and negatives of my plan.

Overall, I think TIP is a great strategy for teachers in the classroom. I think it would be very helpful for new teachers and a great advantage to veterans in the profession.

Thanks for inviting me to your blog!

I am really enjoying looking at everyone's Blog and reading the comments. It is interesting to me to see where everyone is on their thinking or working with technology. I just started clicking around and working on my blog and ended up adding all kinds of things to it...slideshow, video clip, quote... It really was fun. Next thing I want to do is figure out how to add music. :) I do enjoy working on the computer and I feel like I know a good bit but it seems like there is always so much more to learn especially with technology changing everyday.
Thanks for all you work on our group project...can't to wait to see what the next project will be!
Renee

Access to technology

Hello Tiffani - I am thinking about your comments regarding children who are not exposed to technology for lack of resources in some schools, and who, maybe because of that, do not think of careers in technology. I think, as technology advances are moving very fast, most active members of society will have a hard succeeding without embracing some level of technology. Although we may not need to be experts like those in the technology field (those who built the tools that allow us to blog for example), we all need a good level of literacy in technology to function in today's society - that is why it is disturbing to see that some schools are well equipped while others are not - possibly creating a greater divide. I am almost thinking that schools should provide laptops for kids to use at home for the entire school year when there is no computer in the home; maybe this measure could prevent the gap from increasing? What do you think?-Fran

Issues Shaping Today's Technology Uses in Education

Chapter 1 was very interesting, what stuck out to me the most were the issues shaping technology use in education (pg. 24). Chapter 1 provides at least 10 issues facing technology education. I was particularly interested in "The Digital Divide". This section discusses the division among rich and poor and exposure to technology.

Though most children in America have increased internet use, children from low-income areas and minorities still fall behind in home and school access. I agree that technology access differs between wealthy and poor schools. Many wonder if this is widening the gap between rich and poor. I teach in a low income area so many of my students have access to a computer at school but not at home. Educators believe that lower use of technology correlates with lower entrance to technical careers. I believe this is true. Many of my students say they want to be teachers, lawyers, singers, dancers, etc. I've never heard any of them say they want to be a computer programmer or engineer. I wonder if this is because of lack of exposure to people in these professions, lack of knowledge about these professions, or inexposure to all the advances of technology. I became very interested in this topic when I saw the different types of digital technologies available in some of the other schools. I was blown away by some of the nice things listed. Many of the elementary schools had some of the things we see in use around UAB's campus. That's amazing! It would be great if every child in America could have the same exposure to all these different types of digital technologies.

My First Blogging Experience

My first experience blogging was very difficult. It wasn't difficult to navigate the website but my computer wouldn't cooperate with me. I spent a lot of time trying to catch up with everyone else. Maybe I will have a better experience next time.