Blog Reflection Week 2, Chapter 1

Educational technology is basically all media that can be used for instruction in the classroom. It is any technology used by educators in support of the teaching and learning process. Educational technology's relationship with the teaching and learning process is crucial today. Students today are being brought up in a technological world and they use technology in their everyday lives to communicate, play games, investigate what is going on in the world they live in, etc... Due to the numerous forms of technology available to teachers and students, most student's learning styles are compatible with one form or another of technology that can be used in the classroom. For instance, a visual learner may benefit from a PowerPoint presentation or video used to demonstrate a lesson being taught. A hands on learner may benefit from a lesson in the form of a computer. Since students today are already familiar with several forms of technology, using this technology in the classroom may be a better form of engagement for the students.

Knowing the learning styles of the students in your classroom can be a key factor in the success of these students. Say you notice that one student in particular is struggling greatly throughout the school year. By simply talking to the student and finding out the best way in which they learn can be key in the success of that particular student. Some students learn best by listening. Therefore, lectures should be used. Others may learn best through visual learning. With these students, demonstrating a concept may allow them to learn best. Hands on learning is also the way many students learn best. With these students, projects and computers would be a possibility in allowing these students to succeed. As a teacher, touching on each style of learning will guarantee success in students' perfomance.

I definitely believe that being technology savvy is important in the success of a teacher. This comes fairly easy for new teachers going into the field today, but may be a challenge for those who have been teaching for several years. I believe technology makes touching on all different learning styles easier for a teacher.

Introduction

Hi-

My name is Whitney Salley and I am a Master of Arts in Teaching student. I am 22 years old and got my BS in Nutrition in May of 2009. I decided to take what I learned in the course of my undergraduate degree and put it to use as a high school or middle school Science (Biology, Anatomy & Physiology) or Math (Pre-Algebra, Algebra) teacher.

I work at a boutique here in Hattiesburg and am currently engaged and getting married in May 2010. We are in the process of building a house and planning a wedding. This is a very exciting time for us! I am excited to continue my coursework in the MAT program here at USM.

Now that I have read all of the direction to the first blog I can finish what I was supposed to write about.

I have taken several classes online and am very familiar with Blackboard. I enjoy the freedom of online classes as compared with those that meet face-to-face because I feel like people have such hectic schedules these days that it is difficult to get on a schefule that allows you to block out the same amount of time daily for class. I say this because my schedule is all over the place.

I am familiar with Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access somewhat. During my undergraduate coursework we developed several presentations which makes me familiar with the above software. However, I am not too familiar with blogging and podcasts. I am a facebook user, which is a form of blogging I suppose, but I have never participated in any other forms of blogging.

I have good expectations of my performance in this class because I enjoy learning about technology since it has become the primary form of communication in today's busy world.