Technology in the Classroom

I believe that all teachers should incorporate some usage of technology into their lessons at least once a week. There is so much available to learn and grow from regarding the student and the teacher. They should not however, try to match the usage of their students. Students spend around 5 hours a day on the computer. This is too much for the classroom in any subject.

I don't think that instant messaging or chat lines should be used in the classroom. They are a distraction for both the teacher and the student. Imagine that the teacher is into a great discussion and all of a sudden their is this male voice overpowering hers saying, "You've got mail."

In my own college education, I have found that there are tremendous benefits to asynchronous class settings. Some classes are self-explanatory and you just don't need a teacher's instruction. On the other hand, some courses do need an instructor. In a basic class in teaching you the basics of teaching your subject matter, you don't need an instructor. You already know what to do because you were passionate enough of the subject to choose it as your major. In this case one would just need the teachers insight which they could send through an e-mail.

I don't think podcasts are by any means a better way of sending out information. It is just newer and more up to date.

My son is 5 years old and he has played some form of video game since he was 2. I started him out with Leapfrog. He advanced to the V-Smile. Now as family time, myself, my husband,and my son are actively involved with the PS3, XBOX 360, and the Wii and this is on a daily basis. My son's fine motor skills are well developed. He has learned patience and the idea of sharing and taking turns. He knows his ABC's, he can count to 100,and he is starting to read. I give credit to some of those games for getting him to this level. He will start kindergarten in the fall. He is well above those that will be entering with him. The article was well explained in proving that video games are not so bad.