Journal #1

Finding new ways to Connect
by Eleanor Yang Su

Professors are finding it harder to keep interest with the student population. Teacher are having their students instant messaging, and checking their E mail during lecture time. Because students not paying the most riveting attention to the teacher, teachers are becoming more inventive. They are using this technology in the class room. From simple things like power point presentation, to remote control style clickers that automatically lets the teacher know how well the students are retraining the information of the lecture. Teachers have found ways to interact more appropriately with their students during this time of information, using the students strength for the learning process. Some of the old teacher believe that teachers should not rely to heavily on technology, but It is the way of the future. Multi-tasking is hear.

Question 1. During the time of IM and Internet options, I pod etc, How can you find the right balance in your classroom?

This question you will have have to answer over and over again as your students become more adapt at using technology, and as technology changes. The problem come with how teachers view technology and how their students view technology. If teachers fall behind in the tecno curve they feal inadequate about teaching, and shy away from it more and more. Technology can be great! Don't look at technology as trying to entertain or as an attention getter, look at it as a way to a more productive teaching style. Use technology as a way to get the job done. Cover the material with Technology as a aid. The by product of technology as an aid involves the student and more do pay attention, and their will be more interaction between student and teacher. All teachers are different, what is needed is for you as a teacher to incorporate technology as tool to help you teach, but finding the balance is up to you. You and you alone know your students.

Question #2 I need Ideas on how to use technology with my students?

The simplest way is, is to start a web page for your class. where the students can talk to other students about their homework and about what they are learning. Some of the benefits of this are 1. students will help other students learn the information. 2. if their are any problems you can know about it. if the problem is more widespread you can address it in your next lesson. if the problem is singular it can be addressed as well. ON your web page you can have homework notices, info, etc allowing students to have a resource page helps students know what is assigned and what is due.
be creative ask your students what they would like (you don't have to listen you are the teacher) but your students will help you with what they need. Dialogue is always good. Have Fun